OK sports fans, unlikely though it may seem in this most agriculturally central of Central California towns, some outstanding athletes were born and raised here. Charles "Red" Dwight Adams is a retired former Major League Baseball and pitching coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was born in Parlier 1957 and pitched briefly in the Major Leagues with the Chicago Cubs in 1946. After his playing career, he was a scout for the Dodgers from 1959-1968. He was the pitching coach from 1969-1980, helping develop many of the Dodgers' pitchers.
Parlier stretches across Fresno County in the heart of the beautiful San Joaquin Valley, 199 miles south of San Francisco and 210 miles north of Los Angeles. Parlier's Liveability score is 66, due to its strong community and lower cost of living. Average rental rates are 40.8% less than the state average, and 11% less than the national average, making Parlier the perfect place to find your next home. There's plenty around to keep you busy, from parks and restaurants to shopping and museums.
Moving to Parlier
Rental homes in Parlier are spacious, including many three-bedroom houses for rent. If you want to live here, start your search now. It may take a while because apartment rentals are in demand. Six weeks or longer out from your proposed move-in date isn't too early to find a place to call home. You'll probably have better luck at finding apartments if you start searching towards the end of the spring or the beginning of fall.
What is important for you to be near? Most restaurants and stores are on the east side along South Newmark Street or the west side of town near South Mendocino Avenue, with city administration buildings more centered in the downtown area. Popular areas for apartment rentals are also in surrounding communities of Kingsburg and near Earl Ruth Park. Roosevelt, to the east, is a popular neighborhood, too. If neighborhoods are important, it's time to reconsider your priorities since Parlier doesn't really have clear neighborhoods. But who needs them anyways?
You'll need your credit score, a letter verifying employment and salary and a copy of your last paycheck stub to secure your dream place in Parlier. When it gets serious, you'll need cash in the form of a cashier's or bank check. Prepare for first month's rent and security deposit. Bringing your pet? Bring more money for a deposit.
Life in the City
Culture
Nearby Kingsburg Historical Society has created an Historic Park complete with refurbished old-time buildings from the area. The Tractor Shed, Olson's Ballroom, Olson's Brothers General Store, Clay Schoolhouse and more feature a slice of life in the area around the early 19th century.
Shopping
Most restaurants and services in Parlier are spread out along either the east or west sides of town. You'll find the basics you'll need like grocery (there are 11 within a mile of the downtown area) and hardware stores but you'll probably want to head to nearby Fresno to do your big time shopping.
The Fig Garden Village and Shopping Center is one of the nicer outdoor shopping centers in Fresno. La Bou Bakery is a great place for a shopping break. It's so quaint and lovely and has everything you could want, from Pottery Barn to Chipotle. The Whole Foods Market and a number of upscale chain stores like Coach, Bath and Body Works, Williams-Sonoma and more make for a very pleasant experience, and the burly security cops give out candy instead of tickets.
Dining Out
Colima's Carniceria and Taqueria is as authentic as you can get Mexican food in this part of California. This place is crazy good and straight up real.
The al pastor burrito is as huge as it is tasty. The homemade salsa is as good as it gets. Staff are super friendly, including the cooks. Since it's a mercado, the ingredients are the freshest.
The Dairy Shack is one of those funky little places that stand out because of where they aren't. This little burger and ice cream place is not with all the other fast food restaurants. It's by itself on a lonely dirt lot about 15 miles off of Highway 99 on the agricultural side of the road, so you have to go looking for it. Burgers and fries are the usual but the trip out here is worth it for their specialty, the Boston Shake. This is not just any milkshake, but a shake topped with a hot fudge sundae. On a hot day, that ice cream may just be the best thing you'll ever taste.
Nightlife
Bullfrogs Bar and Grill has a live band every Saturday night with dancing and a higher noise level. This a local hangout, meet-up place but it's a lot of fun. Beer, wine and specialty drinks will keep you going strong all night. It does have a cover charge at the door, but active duty military (and spouses!) get in for free.
Get Outdoors
World-renowned Yosemite National Park, Friant Dam, and the beautiful California Coastline, are all within of a couple of hours drive from Parlier (okay, the coast is a bit further, but it's worth it). Fishing, camping, and boating are great excuses to get out of town for a day or a weekend.
Getting Around
Like it or not, you're going to need a car to successfully navigate the area. Parlier is close to Interstate 5 and Route 99 and the Sequoia Freeway so you can easily get to all the surrounding areas. At 26 minutes, Parlier commuters have a 10.3% shorter trip than most Californians, but about equal to the national average. Most people drive their own cars or carpool with colleagues. Public bus transportation is non-existent. The closest Amtrak Stations is 16.1 miles northwest from Parlier. Yosemite International Airport is about 14.8 miles north.
