Learn how to use 4 way stops. When power goes out people don't understand that it turns into a stop sign and many people either do not know or do not care to use it properly.

Whatever the car says the mileage can be, it will be the lower amount and possible even lower than that. Also, be prepared, your car will get dented be someone because parking spaces are small and there isn't enough room.

When I first started driving in Fresno, I didn't know my way around very well and got lost a lot. Something you should know about me is I have no sense of direction. Anyway, I got lost so much that a friend actually drew me a map that included most of the major streets within the area I drove in the most. I kept that map in my glove compartment for years. One place I "found" on one of my adventures was a Vons on Herndon and Fowler. I remember calling my parents from a pay phone trying to figure out how to get home. I needed to go north, I went south. I ended up on Fowler and Kings Canyon. Its funny now but at the time it was really scary. I think I was still in high school and had no idea where I was or how to get home. At the time I didn't live in Fresno, I lived in one of the rural areas nearby.

Van Ness. Van Ness has really beautiful houses. At Christmas time a two mile stretch of Van Ness is decorated with Christmas lights and outdoor decorations and people can drive through. Its a big thing and it can take over an hour to drive it because it is so popular.

Take the freeways, if you can. All of the major streets have a stop light on every block. If you hit all red lights, it will take you forever to reach your destination. The freeways are the way to go! Herndon, Blackstone, and Shaw are all major streets that will take up time with all of the lights. Choose alternate routes.

Shop around! Blackstone has a lot of dealerships. That is where you will find 85% of the dealers. There are two or three on Shaw, on the Clovis side of 168. Make sure to research your vehicles, and the price range for those vehicles. Then, you will have more knowledge when it comes to price haggling. I wouldn't use craigslist, as it is mostly the hole-in-the-wall dealerships with as-is cars. I would just drive down Blackstone, and stop at the dealerships that catch your eye, or that have the vehicle you are looking for. Look at multiple dealers, before settling on a vehicle.

My friend's and I were driving to a bull sale for school. There were five of us in the dually, and it was a long drive. We cranked up the radio, and turned the trip into a karaoke fest. It made the drive go by faster, and all of us enjoyed it. We were driving in the country, so the sights were great. A lot of agriculture surrounds the valley. Most people don't know that.

Highway 41 North. It will take you from Fresno, up into the mountains. This road will take you into the mountains, near Bass Lake (10 minutes from 41), and at the end you will hit the entrance to Yosemite. It is a nice and relaxing drive. If you enjoy scenery and fresh air, you will enjoy the drive too. During the winter, it will snow up towards Oakhurst, Fish Camp, and Yosemite. During the snow seasons, make sure to have 4 wheel drive or snow chains.