Yes, I've been many, many times. I lived in Fresno around 12 years (early 70s till 1985) and grew up with the thing. I remember it closed for a long time because of vandalism or something. when I learned of it's re opening I started visiting once a year. in July. it gives a nice perspective between above ground, grimy sweltering Shaw ave. next to 101 and underground, a cool peaceful & inspirational paradise. I absolutely adore the gardens. if I could, I'd build my own. when my mother was a child she also visited. I believe it's where her prom was held. if you like Spelunking, you should try the Oakland/Berkeley storm drains. Cacophony society sometimes gives clandestine tours. Marin military bunkers are fun too...
-k

I grew up in Madera back in the '60s and '70s. Since I went to school on the southeast side of Fresno, every day I'd ride past the Forestiere Underground Gardens on the school bus. It seemed like such a mysterious and exotic place to me--like a secret oasis in the Sahara. Finally, in-between the 4th and 5th grades, I went with a group from my parent's church. It must've been in summer, because it was about 100 degrees outside. Once we got down into the gardens, the cool air was so dramatic compared to the heat above. It even smelled totally different from Shaw and the railroad tracks, just a stone's throw away.

I was so impressed that I tried carving out my own cave in the back of my family's property. Although I used a pick and shovel, and I alternated soaking the ground and chipping away at it, I never got more than a few feet down, into the bloody hardpan. Still, for years afterwards, I would sit in class and design my own version of the Underground Gardens that I planned to build one day.

I'd like to visit the Gardens when I go see my parents, but I'm afraid that I'd be disappointed by any modernization. Has anyone been recently? Has it been bastardized?

Yes, and it was lovely. The inginuity made me laugh and be humble. What an amazing thing to create...and out of need. Really and inspiration.

Yes, 3 or 4 times. But not recently.

Yep, once. Loved it. My only regret is that I let a "do not enter" sign disuade me from checking out a small side passage that, I later saw on a map, connected to the several acres of the complex that are not on the public tour.