Fresno is along the eastern edge of the Central Valley, near the Sierra mountains with gorgeous country at several alpine lake resorts and Yosemite National park a relatively short drive north. Fresno is not in the mountains, but rather is a sprawling city located on flat terrain with only modest rainfall, however, consecutive 100+ degree days in summer and 3 months of frosty winter days is less than ideal IMO. I personally know several Fresno residents that keep a vacation home in my hometown here on the Monterey Peninsula (central California coast) so they can escape Fresno weather. We have temperate weather year-round that allows for a range of outdoor activities, including many miles of bike paths right along the Pacific Ocean with side routes inland to coastal hills and valleys, some of which feature vineyards and wineries or other pastoral fare.