10 Things To Know About Clovis, CA Before You Pack Your Bags

Are you thinking about moving to Clovis, California but aren’t sure what to expect? In this episode of Fresno Redefined, we’re going to share 10 things about Clovis that you need to know before you start packing your bags. We’ll look at everything from history to lifestyle so you know exactly what it’s like to live in this great city.

#1: A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock And Roll

The first thing you need to know about Clovis is that we’re a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. The city of Clovis began as a freight stop along the San Joaquin Valley Railroad when the railroad purchased a right of way through the farmland of Clovis Cole and George Ellen. 

Clovis has a long history in farming and originally…country life, beginning with the Clovis Rodeo that has been held on the last weekend in April since 1914. Our slogan is “Clovis, A Way of Life.” That way of life includes several street festivals like Big Hat Days, Clovis Fest, and the weekly Friday night Farmer’s Market—held between mid-May and mid-September every year. That's one of my favorites. 

There are also many concerts held at the Sierra Vista Mall, or you can attend big events nearby at the Save Mart Center. So while we’re true to our country roots, we’ve got that rock and roll spirit, too.

#2: The Gateway To The Sierras  

Second, Clovis is the gateway to the Sierras. You can access the Sierra Nevada mountain range—along with all the great parks and activities located there—easily from one of two highways that run through Clovis. Highway 168 will take you to Shaver Lake, a quick 45-minute drive from Clovis, or head a little further north to access Huntington Lake and China Peak Ski Resort. 

If you head out on Highway 180, you'll reach Kings Canyon National Park in just over an hour. There, you can visit the General Grant Tree, climb Moro Rock, or enjoy a multitude of other activities within the park.

#3: Affordable Living

The number three thing you need to know is that Clovis is one of the most affordable places to live. According to california.com, Clovis is the sixth most affordable city in California with a median home price ranging between $360,000 to $500,000. For $360,000, you can typically find a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home at about 1500 to 1600 square feet on a 5000 square foot lot.

#4: Relaxed Dress Code

Not sure what to wear in Clovis? Our number four tip is that, overall, Clovis has a pretty relaxed vibe. Jeans and a nice shirt will do quite nicely for most places. In the summer it gets pretty warm, so make sure to pack your shorts and summer tops. Our summer temps average in the mid to high 90s from April through October, with about 30+ days of 100 degrees or above.

Our fall and spring temperatures are quite nice, usually in the 70s and 80s. For winter, you'll need a lighter jacket when the mercury dips down into the 30s at night and stays in the 50s during the day.

#5: Getting Around

The fifth thing you need to know is how to get around. What does public transportation look like in Clovis? Like Fresno, Clovis is pretty spread out. A car is always handy, but there are a lot of bike lanes and plenty of bike trails as well. For public transit, there's the Clovis Stageline. It operates along fixed routes with scheduled stops from 6:15 am to 6:30 pm Monday through Friday, with limited Saturday service. 

Clovis Round-Up is a demand response service for disabled residents who call in advance to schedule trips. Service hours are 6:15 am to 7:15 pm Monday through Friday and from 7:30 am to 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday. There's also a charming trolley available for rent, so be sure to look up Dolly the Trolley.

Lastly, do you need to head out of Clovis? Amtrak service is available out of downtown Fresno, and Fresno Yosemite International Airport is just a short 13-minute drive from downtown Clovis.

#6: The Food Scene

Next, let's talk about the food scene. Being in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley of California—known as the breadbasket of the world—we have an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts here in Clovis. Our local restaurants make great use of these staples. 

Make sure to check out Trelio if you're looking for a great spot for a special occasion. You’ll also want to check out House of Juju if you're in the mood for a great burger.

#7: Great Schools

The seventh thing you need to know is that we have great schools. The Clovis Unified District has some of the top schools in the state. Clovis North High School tops the list and comes in within the top 4% of the state’s schools. All the high schools are within the top 25% of schools in the state, with most of them in the top 10%. 

Each of the high schools also has one middle school and several elementary schools that feed into it. Most of them are now energy-efficient, with recent solar upgrades.

#8: Family Time

Our eighth thing to know is what residents can do together as a family. Clovis is home to a lot of active families. You'll find them out riding bikes together on any of the community trails at one of the many neighborhood or community parks. There’s also swimming, taking dance or fitness classes, boating, or jet skiing at Millerton Lake. Our families also like to cheer our kids on in the arts, robotics, or sports from grade school up to the college level at California State University Fresno (go Bulldogs!).

If you feel like being a little more laid-back, you can easily take in a movie or stroll the farmers market. We love getting together with friends over dinner, going to a concert at the Save Mart Center, catching a Fresno Grizzlies baseball game, or watching auto racing at the Madera Speedway. 

#9: Clovis Fest

My favorite thing to do is the Clovisfest Hot Air Balloon Festival. This takes place on the last weekend in September and spans over 12 city blocks, including side streets. You'll discover over 200 craft and commercial vendor booths in addition to the international village. 

I love getting up early to watch the hot air balloon launch and then walk across the street to Pollasky Avenue. There we can grab some coffee and a bite to eat before strolling the streets to see the vendors and craft booths. We love doing that as a family every year. It's just so beautiful with all the colors and all the balloons. 

#10: Old Town Clovis

The last thing you should know about living here is Old Town Clovis. It's the heart of the city and where you find all sorts of cute local boutiques and restaurants. I love the antique stores, coffee shops, spas, and salons—and there’s so much more to explore.

Some of my favorite events in Old Town include Big Hat Day, Clovisfest, and the Christmas Parade with its magical carriage rides. It’s a great place to go in winter, walking around while sipping hot cocoa.

Experience Clovis Living

Now that you have the 4-1-1 on Clovis, the last thing you might need help with is your housing search. We are here to help. We're proud of Clovis, and we'd love to show you around and help you find a home that's just right for you.

So if you have any additional questions about Clovis, please don't hesitate to reach out and ask. We’d be happy to send you whatever information you need about the area so you can start feeling at home. You can also subscribe to our channel, so you will never miss an episode of our show all about Clovis and Fresno living. Stay tuned to see what we feature next!