Is Fresno Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On October 6, 2022
Fresno, United States
Safety Index:
38
* Based on Research & Crime Data
User Sentiment:
100
* Rated 100 / 100 based on 3 user reviews.

Fresno, California, holds a lot of great attractions above and below ground in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley.

While it might not have the beaches many associate Southern California with, it does have a unique place in this versatile state.

The city is known as the Raisin Capital of the World, and the shriveled fruit is so abundant that the baseball team was once named the Fresno Raisin Eaters.

Fresno is known for its foggy climate as the “tule fog” settles over the San Joaquin Valley.

This, on top of the scorching hot summers, means the weather here is something that comes with safety concerns of its own.

If you’re lucky enough to visit here between February and March, you’ll be able to see the Great Blossom Trail as spring brings beautiful flowers to life.

The blowing petals make it feel as close to a blizzard as Fresno will ever get.

You are also within a day trip of several national parks, including the always popular Yosemite National Park.

If you’re looking for an urban adventure, head to L.A. or San Francisco.

Fresno is all about the great outdoors and incredible Mexican food.

Warnings & Dangers in Fresno

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

By looking at the numbers, it's medium risk. There's really no way around that. However, this is a city plagued by gang crime. While gang crimes are generally among people who know each other, there is a potential risk of being an innocent bystander. How you behave while you're in Fresno will greatly define your risk.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

The Fresno Area Express (FAX) is the public transportation system here. You can also find an abundance of tour buses and shuttles to tourist attractions and national parks. Taxis and rideshares are available, but if you want to be able to explore at your own pace, a rental car is your best and safest option.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

The theft rate is more than twice the national average. You should treat this as a medium risk. Robbery rates are high as well, so avoid carrying any kind of valuables around with you. Store wallets in hidden pockets if you can.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH

Wildfire and flooding dangers are the biggest risks, along with extreme heat. An average day is going to be low risk, but when the weather kicks up, treat it with a high risk. Never try to drive through an area where a wildfire is burning.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

While most violent crime is between people who know each other, the gang culture here should convince you not to carry expensive purses or wear a lot of jewelry. You don't want to make yourself a target for a would-be robber. With a robbery rate twice the national average and growing, treat this with medium risk.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This isn't one of the cities terrorists are likely to target in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco would be much bigger targets. There's a low risk here, but the gangs here are terrorists in their own right.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

The cities in California with high Hispanic/Latino populations have seen an increase in lottery scams. This is where a person approaches you saying they've won the lottery. They tell you how they aren't in the country legally, but if you give them a portion of the winnings, you can have the lottery ticket. It turns out the ticket is fake, and you lose money. Don't fall for this.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Women should use an abundance of caution here, especially after dark. Don't drink beyond your ability to make safe and smart decisions. The same medium risk exists. Avoid going to any house parties or crowded nightclubs where fights could break out.

Tap Water Risk

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report shows full compliance and no violations. The city hasn't seen a water violation since 2016. This doesn't always hold true for other cities in the San Joaquin Valley, so research other cities before you travel.

Safest Places to Visit in Fresno

The official tourism website is visitfresnocounty.org, and you can download the similarly named app to have all the tourism information in the palm of your hand.

Simonian Farms Old Town is a mix of everything that makes Fresno unique.

It has an Old West saloon look with candy, soda, and games for all ages.

You’ll find historical tools from farming through the ages in the San Joaquin Valley and an abundance of fruits and nuts from nearby farms.

The best part?

It’s free to visit!

Forestiere Underground Gardens takes you to the beautiful underbelly of the community and is a one-of-a-kind adventure.

This labyrinth of agriculture was the brainchild of a Sicilian immigrant who designed the structures using nothing but the blueprint in his head.

Take a guided tour through the gardens as you can’t explore at your own risk (you might get lost).

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo includes animals that live on land, underground, and in water.

You can feed a giraffe, pet a stingray, and face the fish in the aquarium.

You can also pay extra for behind-the-scenes tours and experiences.

Cool off in the Wilderness Falls waterfall or visit Zoorasic Park for a pre-historical adventure.

Since Fresno gets so hot in the summer, it makes sense there are three water parks to choose from – Blackbeards, Island Water Park, and Wild Water Adventure Park (which is technically in Clovis).

These parks also offer miniature golf, go-karts, snack bars, and tubing opportunities.

Download the Fresno County Fruit Trail Map to find some of the best places to hunt down your favorite sweet treat.

There are several strawberry farms on the route.

There are 30 stops along the way, and the trip will take you as far as Orange Cove to the east.

Hidden Homes Nature Trail is a really cool and easy hike.

You will pass by the “homes” of animals with things like a giant bird’s nest or massive tree, where you enter the home of the owl.

Cool off in the nearby San Joaquin River at one of many stops along the way, or head to Millerton Lake State Recreational Area just 20 minutes north of Fresno.

Places to Avoid in Fresno

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve seen repeatedly from local blogs and media outlets is to avoid being out at night.

Especially downtown, in Edison, and in Fresno-High.

Gang activity and other crimes heat up when the sun goes down.

It’s also harder to be aware of your surroundings in the dark as you navigate a new city.

If you’re looking for nightlife, you wouldn’t find much of it in Fresno anyway.

Avoid assuming California is a mild weathered state with a great sea breeze.

The places that have that are nowhere near Fresno.

From June through September, the average temperature here is in the 90s.

July nears 100°(F) for the AVERAGE temperature.

You will need a lot of sunscreen, water, electrolytes, and comfortable clothing to avoid heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

Take your time.

Buy a sun visor to put under your windshield when you park.

I lived in a desert, and the ONE TIME I didn’t put the visor up, I mistakenly sat down, grabbed the steering wheel, and got second-degree burns on my hands.

If a wildfire is burning anywhere in this region, you might want to reconsider your trip.

The western wildfires get more intense each year, and the wicked winds can move a fire that is far away to a closer location in less than a few hours.

That’s not to mention the air quality issues that you face.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Fresno

  1. One of the most important things you can do is sign up for CodeRED notifications. This will get you weather and wildfire information or major accidents and road closures.
  2. The FresGO app also puts you in contact with the city. You can report safety issues or ask questions. If there are water restrictions in place, you’ll see that too. There’s a great wealth of information about the city during your visit.
  3. Fog is the leading cause of accidents due to the weather in this region. The Tule fog here happens anytime between December 1 and March 31. If you don’t know how to drive in fog, do some research. You’ll need to slow down, use low beams, and pull over if you ever don’t feel like you can see enough of the road to drive. Do NOT use your high beams, as this can make visibility worse for other cars on the road (and it only makes it tougher for you to see, too!).
  4. The Mexican food in Fresno is very spicy. I mean EXTREMELY spicy, just as it is served and without having to ask for it hot. If you don’t like spicy foods, you should ask them to tone down the spice or ask if you can sample the dish before committing to the purchase. I bring this up because I am so sensitive to spicy food, and I’ve missed many good meals because I didn’t ask, “just how spicy is it??”
  5. If you buy fruit from a farm or local stand, just be sure to wash it off before you eat it. Some of the stands will have washing wells, so you don’t have to search for clean water.
  6. Use IQair.com to check the air quality each day. Pollution from the larger cities, the agricultural industry, the aforementioned wildfires, and other pollutants can make the air unhealthy on even a seemingly nice day. I use this app daily because I have certain allergens that I need to avoid (Darn you, Cottonwood!).
  7. If you are heading to Yosemite in the summer, fill up before you leave Fresno and again before you get within five miles of the park’s entrance. The traffic lines can be miles long on mountain roads, and it can quickly drain a gas tank, especially if the air conditioning is on.
  8. Fresno has an average of nine cars stolen each day. There has been a rash of Kias and Hyundais stolen nationwide after a social media trend showed how easy they are to hack. Try to avoid getting one of those brands of rental cars. Always lock your doors and never leave the windows cracked when you park. Take your rental car paperwork inside the hotel with you.
  9. Treat any sound of gunshots as a “shelter in place” situation. Do not go looking for the source of the gunshots. In 2021, there was an average of nearly two shootings per day, with 74 homicides. 60% of those shootings were gang-related. Just call 911 if you hear gunshots and stay where you are until you know it’s safe to go outside, especially at night.
  10. The Fresno Police 2021 Annual Report gives a lot of detailed information about the challenges and successes of crime and safety that year. You can see how many drugs were confiscated, how many crimes were solved and learn about efforts in each district to keep people safe. It’s a great overview of the city’s crime prevention efforts.

So... How Safe Is Fresno Really?

Fresno is a cultural melting pot with an important agricultural influence on the region.

There are a lot of hard-working, nice people who will make your stay amazing.

Unfortunately, there is also an ongoing element of the crime.

60% of the homicides here are gang-related.

With an average of eight violent crimes per day, you want to stay in tourist areas and keep your adventure to daylight hours.

After dark is when the majority of crimes happen.

The police department is also habitually short-staffed, so you don’t get a response as quickly as anyone would like.

When you’re driving, don’t get baited into road rage.

Even something as simple as honking at someone can trigger a reaction.

The same reservations should be held when you’re in public places and don’t get into verbal arguments with people.

There are just too many illegal guns and criminals who potentially could get upset.

Fresno is one of those cities where a small part of the population is responsible for a large amount of crime, and police are focused on finding gang members and holding them accountable.

Per the 2021 Annual Report, “From just a single gang operation, our personnel took over 300 guns off the street, made over 600 felony arrests, and served over 150 search warrants.”

If you are really worried about safety, stay in Clovis.

It’s less than 10 miles away and a safer community.

This will allow you to sleep in a safer place while still being close enough to enjoy all the cool parts of Fresno during the day.

How Does Fresno Compare?

CitySafety Index
Fresno38
Oakland57
New Orleans57
Baltimore56
Boston67
Washington DC56
New York City67
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)61
Niagara Falls (Canada)87
Calgary (Canada)82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)60
Vancouver (Canada)82
Cordoba (Argentina)61

Useful Information

Visas

Visas

Whether you are flying into the country or crossing the border, you'll need a passport and U.S Visa or Visa Waiver. The Visa process can take up to four months, so start planning well ahead of time. While you're in Fresno, you can travel the region without needing your Visa. Just keep it close. Immigration does a lot of spot checks here, and you might need to show proof of your citizenship.

Currency

Currency

You can only use the U.S. Dollar here. Avoid carrying any large amounts of cash, and never use an ATM in a public space. Go inside a bank instead. Be sure to get increments of smaller bills for when you stop at the fruit stands, as they might not always have the change to break larger bills.

Weather

Weather

You can leave the winter coats and boots at home, but bring a sweatshirt and jeans for the winter if it gets chilly. Overall, you can wear jeans and a t-shirt or even shorts throughout the year. Bring comfortable walking shoes.

Airports

Airports

Fresno Yosemite International Airport is just six miles from the city center. There are plenty of flights on the West Coast, but direct flights only go as far east as Dallas and Chicago.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

You should definitely have travel insurance here on your flights, car, and belongings. Make sure you know how a wildfire will impact your travels and if you will get reimbursed for that.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Fresno Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 9° C
Feb 11° C
Mar 14° C
Apr 17° C
May 21° C
Jun 26° C
Jul 29° C
Aug 28° C
Sep 25° C
Oct 19° C
Nov 13° C
Dec 8° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
131720242934373633261913
Low
°C
458913172019161163
High
°F
556368758493999791796655
Low
°F
394146485563686661524337

California - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Alameda86
Alhambra84
Anaheim73
Bakersfield66
Barstow62
Berkeley64
Burbank86
Chino Hills82
Chula Vista81
Compton41
Concord74
Costa Mesa83
Daly City76
El Cajon86
El Monte76
Escondido91
Eureka87
Fairfield85
Fontana68
Fremont74
Fresno38
Fullerton74
Garden Grove78
Hawthorne62
Hayward87
Hemet65
Huntington Beach78
Indio89
Inglewood68
Irvine82
Lake Forest83
Lancaster64
Livermore87
Long Beach63
Los Angeles56
Merced92
Milpitas91
Mission Viejo85
Modesto64
Moreno Valley82
Mountain View87
Newport Beach84
Norwalk79
Oakland57
Oceanside85
Oxnard63
Palm Springs65
Palmdale78
Pasadena78
Pomona61
Rancho Cucamonga91
Redding71
Redlands86
Redondo Beach88
Redwood City85
Rialto58
Riverside57
Sacramento51
Salinas64
San Bernardino63
San Diego67
San Francisco61
San Jose58
San Leandro78
San Luis Obispo88
San Mateo84
Santa Ana71
Santa Barbara72
Santa Clara82
Santa Clarita76
Santa Cruz94
Santa Monica64
Santa Rosa91
Simi Valley84
South Gate63
Stockton38
Sunnyvale87
Temecula87
Thousand Oaks86
Torrance86
Union City88
Vallejo65
Ventura76
Victorville63
West Covina88
Yreka93

Where to Next?

3 Reviews on Fresno

  1. Well worth visiting especially in the spring

    If you want to take a short vacation, into a place that is a mix of urban and outdoor-ish then Fresno might be a good place to visit. I highly recommend you go there in early March if possible and take the Fresno Blossom Trail so you can see the amazingly colorful fruit and nut orchards. Whether it’s by car or by bike, this trail is wonderful at that time.

    Visit the Forestiere Underground Gardens which is a California Historical Landmark. Take the 1 hour guided tour to learn about this place, how it was built and to fully experience everything it has to offer. Just so you know, the temperature will be 10 to 20 degrees lower here so pack accordingly.

    Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are close to Fresno and should be visited because they are spectacular. Do a bit of rock climbing, hiking and awe at the majestic, giant Sequoia trees. You can even camp at the campgrounds found here if you are into sleeping outdoors.

    If you visit Fresno with family, make sure to go to Island Waterpark. This place is loads of fun for everyone, no matter the age. Waterslides and all sorts of activities await and kids will love this spot. For animal lovers, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo is a good place to stop and see many species, interact with some of them and also do some behind the scenes tours to find out more about the zoo. While here, check out Roeding Park and especially the Rotary Storyland Playland Family Amusement Park (which is located within Roeding Park) and is a lot of fun.

    I think Fresno has a lot to offer no matter the time you choose to visit but it’s best in the spring when everything is blooming and you will get to experience a real feast for the eyes.

  2. A
    Allison Edwards says:

    Having visited Fresno recently, I found it to be quite safe overall. Like any city, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings, but I felt comfortable exploring the downtown area and trying out local eateries.

  3. L
    Laura Bailey says:

    I’ve lived in Fresno for several years now and can attest to its safety. Of course, there are areas to avoid, especially at night, but with common sense and precautions, it’s a great place to explore.

Fresno Rated 5 / 5 based on 3 user reviews.

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