Modesto
Around Modesto
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Metro area · California · 556k people
Modesto
“The Arch”, “Gateway to Yosemite”
Heart of the Central Valley, where the orchards meet the Sierra.
Modesto Nuts redValley greenSierra amber
Welcome to Modesto — where the almond orchards meet the river and the Nuts play ball. Come for the tri-tip, stay for the small-town charm and big Valley skies.
Clubs for Modesto
No clubs for Modesto yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Modesto. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Modesto. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Modesto Arch Iconic sign over I-99 reading 'Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health'.
- Gallo Center for the Arts Modern performing arts venue hosting Broadway shows and concerts.
- McHenry Mansion Restored 1883 Victorian home with period furnishings.
- John Thurman Field Home of the Modesto Nuts minor league baseball team.
- State Theatre Historic 1920s movie palace showing classic and indie films.
- Dry Creek Regional Park Large park with a lake, trails, and picnic areas.
- Outdoors Walk or bike the Tuolumne River Trail
- Outdoors Hike at Dry Creek Regional Park
- With kids Visit the Great Valley Museum
- With kids Take the kids to a Modesto Nuts game
- Evenings Catch a show at the Gallo Center
- Evenings Bar-hop on J Street in downtown Modesto
- Locals love Taquerias
- Locals love Almond orchards
Through the year
- Stanislaus County Fair July Annual fair with carnival rides, livestock shows, and concerts.
- Oakdale Rodeo April One of the largest rodeos in California, featuring bull riding and barrel racing.
- Modesto Nuts home games June–August Minor league baseball at John Thurman Field with fireworks nights.
- Graffiti Summer June Classic car show and street fair celebrating Modesto's car culture.
- Modesto Farmers Market May–October Weekly market with local produce, almonds, and prepared foods.
Modesto has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, foggy winters. The best times to be out are spring and fall. Best: Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are ideal for outdoor activities with mild temperatures.
Talk like a local
- “The Arch”
- The iconic arch over I-99, used as a meeting point.
- “Mod-town”
- Nickname for Modesto.
- “The Valley”
- The Central Valley, where Modesto is located.
- “The Nuts”
- Short for the Modesto Nuts baseball team.
Getaways
- Sonora and Gold Country Historic towns, hiking, and a gateway to Yosemite.
- San Jose Tech museums, the Winchester Mystery House, and big-city dining.
- Sacramento State Capitol, Old Sacramento, and the Sacramento River.
- Santa Cruz Beach boardwalk, redwoods, and surfing.
Local flavour
Teams
- Modesto Nuts California League
Also rooting for San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings
Eat and drink
- Almonds and almond-based treats The region is one of the world's largest almond producers.
- Basque cuisine (lamb, chorizo, etc.) Historic Basque restaurants like Wool Growers are local institutions.
- Taqueria-style Mexican food A staple of the valley's diverse food scene.
- Tri-tip barbecue A Central Valley favorite, often grilled over oak.
Where people go
- Almond orchards Endless rows of trees that bloom pink and white in late winter.
- Dairy farms The region is a major dairy producer, with cows dotting the landscape.
- Taquerias Family-owned spots serving tacos, burritos, and menudo.
- Rodeo arenas (Oakdale) Oakdale is known as the 'Cowboy Capital of the World'.
- Irrigation canals Lined with concrete, they carry snowmelt to the fields.
Heritage and traditions
Modesto is proud of its agricultural heart, from almond orchards to dairy farms, and its friendly, down-to-earth Valley culture, celebrated in the motto on the Modesto Arch: 'Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health.'
This time of year in Modesto
- Harvest season Fall Farmers markets and pumpkin patches celebrate the bounty.
- Turlock Pumpkin Festival October Fall festival with pumpkin patch, games, and seasonal crafts.
Say it like a local: “graffiti summer” — the summer car show season inspired by the movie
Festivals
- Patterson Apricot Fiesta June Celebrates Patterson's apricot heritage with parades, food, and a carnival.
- Riverbank Cheese and Wine Festival May Showcases local cheeses and wines with tasting booths and live music.
- Oakdale Chocolate Festival May A sweet celebration with chocolate treats and local vendors.
- Modesto International Multicultural Festival September Features music, dance, and food from the region's diverse communities.
- Turlock Pumpkin Festival October Fall festival with pumpkin patch, games, and seasonal crafts.
- Basque Picnic Summer Community gathering with Basque food, music, and dance at the Basque Cultural Center.
Landmarks with a story
- St. Stanislaus Catholic Church One of Modesto's oldest churches, with beautiful stained glass and a rich parish history.
- Turlock Carnegie Arts Center A 1916 Carnegie library repurposed as a community arts venue.
- Oakdale Cowboy Museum Celebrates the cowboy heritage of Oakdale, the 'Cowboy Capital of the World.'
- Modesto Amtrak Station A 1915 mission-style train station that still serves passengers.
- Basque Cultural Center Hub for Basque culture in Modesto, hosting events and preserving traditions.
Food traditions
- Almond blossom pancakes Served during the Almond Blossom Festival, these pancakes are topped with local almonds and honey.
- Basque chorizo and lamb stew Hearty dishes served at family-style Basque restaurants, a legacy of sheepherders.
- Farm-to-fork dining Restaurants showcase the Valley's bounty with fresh produce from nearby farms.
- Pan dulce from panaderías Mexican sweet bread, a staple from local bakeries, often enjoyed with coffee or hot chocolate.
- Cheese from local dairies Artisan cheeses made from milk of Central Valley dairies, featured at the Cheese and Wine Festival.
Music and arts
- Modesto Symphony Orchestra Performs at the Gallo Center and other venues.
- Basque folk music and dance Traditional performances at cultural events and the Basque Picnic.
- Mexican folklorico Colorful regional dances performed at festivals and celebrations.
- Hot rod and car culture Car shows and cruising events keep the movie's spirit alive.
A little history
- 1944 George Lucas born in Modesto
- 1973 American Graffiti filmed in Modesto
- early 1900s Basque immigration
- 20th century Almond industry growth
- late 1800s Irrigation from Tuolumne River
Rivalries
- Modesto Nuts vs. Stockton Ports Friendly Central Valley minor league baseball rivalry.
- Modesto vs. Turlock Friendly competition over the best taquerias and high school football.
- Game day Modesto Nuts home games
- Game day Oakdale Rodeo
- Outdoors Watch almond blossoms in spring
- Outdoors Visit the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge
- With kids U-pick fruit farms
- With kids Attend the Oakdale Rodeo
People speak with a general California accent, but with a slower, friendlier drawl in the Valley. Spanish is widely spoken, and you'll hear agricultural terms like 'the valley' and 'the Delta.'
Only here
- The Modesto Arch with its motto 'Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health.'
- Graffiti Summer, a summer-long celebration of the movie American Graffiti.
- The Basque Cultural Center and its traditions.
- Oakdale's claim as the 'Cowboy Capital of the World.'
New here? A few tips
- Summer can be very hot (100°F+), so stay hydrated and use air conditioning.
- Get a car; public transit is limited.
- Try the Basque food at a local restaurant—it's a unique local experience.
- Learn about the agricultural calendar; almond blossom season is a must-see.
- Don't miss the Modesto Arch; it's the city's iconic symbol.
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Part of Bay Area
Nearby
Every areaStocktonCaliforniaWhere the Delta meets the valley's bounty.MercedCaliforniaThe gateway to Yosemite, rooted in the valley.SonoraCaliforniaGold Country calm, where the Sierra meets the past.Gold CountryCaliforniaWhere the foothills keep their goldSan JoseCaliforniaWhere innovation and sunshine are always in seasonMariposaCaliforniaSmall-town heart at the edge of the wild.SacramentoCaliforniaWhere rivers meet and every meal is from the farm.Santa CruzCaliforniaSalt air and redwood shade.
Modesto, CA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.