Modesto is a city in California's San Joaquin Valley.
Understand
History
Modesto began in the mid to late 1800s as a stop along the railroad between Sacramento and Los Angeles. At the time, it was surrounded by sprawling farmlands. Over time, as the city grew, they began to build dams and canals throughout the neighboring foothills to help irrigate the farmland. After World War II, suburban areas expanded, and Modesto was no exception: by 1980 the city had 100,000 people, and by 2000 it had 200,000. The proximity to the Bay Area and relatively cheap real estate helped the city become a popular city for commuters to live in.
Today, Modesto is one of a few large cities in the San Joaquin Valley, and is home to a unique blend of Bay Area and farming cultures.
Climate
Get in
By plane
By train
Modesto is served several times a day by Amtrak and its San Joaquin route, which runs south to Bakersfield and north to either Sacramento or the Oakland. Modesto station 📍 is located about 5 miles east of downtown, at 1700 Held Dr. Bus number 25 connects with the city center.
By bus
By car
Modesto is on California State Route 99, the major north-south arterial between Sacramento and Bakersfield.
Get around
By bus
See
- Lucas Plaza Statue. This bronze statue features two 1960s teens leaning on a car. It is a tribute to George Lucas, who grew up in Modesto.
- McHenry Mansion & Museum, 37.6435°, -120.994°. A restored historical home built in 1883, offers free tours year-round. The Museum is across the street from the mansion.
Do
- Boomers! Modesto, 4215 Bangs Avenue, 37.7048°, -121.0735°, +1 209 545-5248. Amusement park.
- Sunshine Rafting Adventures, 17500 Sonora Rd., +1 209 848-4800. 7AM-8PM. Offering low cost float trips on the Stanislaus River out of Knights Ferry, CA for over 25 years. $17+
- Gallo Center For The Arts, 1000 I St, 37.6394°, -120.998°.
- John Thurman Field, 601 Neece Dr, 37.6222°, -121.0008°, +1 209 572-4487. Home of the Modesto Nuts minor league baseball team — formerly known as the Modesto A's, they're just as exciting as when Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco and Miguel Tejada played for them. $6-$12
Learn
Buy
Eat
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Drink
Sleep
Additional lodging options can be found in the neighboring town of Salida.
- Best Western Town House Lodge, 909 16th St, +1 209 524-7261.
- Courtyard Modesto, 1720 Sisk Rd, +1 209 577-3825.
- Holiday Inn Express, 4100 Salida Blvd, +1 209 543-9000.
- Motel 6, 1920 West Orangeburg Ave, +1 209 522-7271.
- SpringHill Suites Modesto, 1901 W Orangeburg Ave, +1 209 526-2157.
- Super 8 Motel Modesto, 4100 Salida Blvd. Hwy 99 At Pelandale, +1 209 543-9000. Mission-style architecture.
- Days Inn Modesto, 1312 McHenry Ave, 37.6621°, -120.9930°.
- Howard Johnson Express Inn Modesto Ceres, 1672 Herndon Rd (From 99, Exit Hatch, turn east, right on Herndon Rd. Hotel on left), +1 209-537-4821. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Has free internet, breakfast, nationwide calls, and 8 Feet deep swimming pool.
- Microtel Inn & Suites Modesto Ceres, 1760 Herndon Rd (From 99, Exit Hatch, turn east, right on Herndon Rd. Hotel on left), +1 209-538-6466. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11PM. Has free internet, breakfast, and nationwide calls. Swimming pool, business center, and fitness room and coin laundry are on site. $69
Go next
- Sonora- 108 East. About 1 hour 15 minutes away.
- Yosemite National Park- 132 East to J132 East to 120 East. About 2 hours away.
- Sacramento- 99 North. About 1 hour 15 minutes away.
- San Francisco- 99 North to 120 West to 5 South to 205 West to 580 West to 80 West. About 2 hours away to 3 hours away, depending on traffic.
- Fresno- 99 South. About 1 hour 30 minutes away.