Modesto

Modesto began in the mid to late 1800s as a stop along the railroad between Sacramento to 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

By plane

• Modesto City–County Airport

  phone: +1 209 577-5200
  address: 617 Airport Way
  Served by United Express from San Francisco.

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. is located about 5 miles east of downtown, at 1700 Held Dr. Bus number 25 connects with the city center.

By bus

• Greyhound

  phone: +1 209 526-4314
  address: 1001 9th St. Ste. C

By car

Modesto is on California State Route 99, the major north-south arterial between Sacramento and Bakersfield.

By bus

• Modesto Area Express

  phone: +1 209 521-1274
  address: 1001 9th St.

• Stanislaus Regional Transit

• Lucas Plaza StatueThis bronze statue features two 1960s teens leaning on a car. It is a tribute to George Lucas, who grew up in Modesto.

• McHenry Mansion & MuseumA restored historical home built in 1883, offers free tours year-round. The Museum is across the street from the mansion.

• Boomers! Modesto

  phone: +1 209 545-5248
  address: 4215 Bangs Avenue
  Amusement park.

• Sunshine Rafting Adventures

  phone: +1 209 848-4800
  address: 17500 Sonora Rd.
  Offering low cost float trips on the Stanislaus River out of Knights Ferry, CA for over 25 years.

• Gallo Center For The Arts

  address: 1000 I St.

• John Thurman Field

  phone: +1 209 572-4487
  address: 601 Neece Dr.
  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.

• Community Business College

  phone: +1 209 529-3648
  address: 3800 McHenry Ave
  Take a class for pleasure and learn a new skill.

• Modesto Junior College

  phone: +1 209 575-6498
  address: 435 College Ave
  One of the oldest community colleges in the state. Many buildings date back to the 1920s and 30s. Famous alumni include George Lucas and Jeremy Renner.

• Modesto Certified Farmers Market

  address: 16th St between H and I
  Live music and a wide variety of vendors is worth the trip.

Breakfast

• Velvet Grill and Creamery

  phone: +1 209-544-9029
  address: 2204 McHenry Ave
  Has one of the best breakfast specials Modesto has to offer. Their specialty is their French toast, which is made from fresh baked bread that is deep fried and served with a homemade cinnamon butter.

• Old Mill Cafe

  address: 600 9th St
  A local favorite for breakfast. Biscuits and gravy.YUM!

Lunch

• Brighter Side Sandwich Shop

  phone: +1 209 524-7531
  address: 1125 K St
  An odd little place in a converted gas station. Order through the left door, write it on a bag to-go or an index card to-stay. The service is great, the seating is plentiful, and the food is delicious.

Dinner

• La Morenita

  phone: +1 209 522-5546
  address: 3500 Coffee Rd
  Great Mexican food, friendly staff and family friendly.

• El Rosal

  phone: +1 209-523-7871
  address: 3430 Tully Rd # 51
  Mexican Food. Voted the best Mexican burrito in the Modesto Bee several years running.

Additional lodging options can be found in the neighboring town of Salida.

• Best Western Town House Lodge

  phone: +1 209 524-7261
  address: 909 16th St

• Courtyard Modesto

  phone: +1 209 577-3825
  address: 1720 Sisk Rd

• Holiday Inn Express

  phone: +1 209 543-9000
  address: 4100 Salida Blvd

• Motel 6

  phone: +1 209 522-7271
  address: 1920 West Orangeburg Ave

• SpringHill Suites Modesto

  phone: +1 209 526-2157
  address: 1901 W Orangeburg Ave

• Super 8 Motel Modesto

  phone: +1 209 543-9000
  address: 4100 Salida Blvd. Hwy 99 At Pelandale
  Mission-style architecture.

• Days Inn Modesto

  address: 1312 McHenry Ave

• Howard Johnson Express Inn Modesto Ceres

  phone: +1 209-537-4821
  address: 1672 Herndon Rd
  Has free internet, breakfast, nationwide calls, and 8 Feet deep swimming pool.

• Microtel Inn & Suites Modesto Ceres

  phone: +1 209-538-6466
  address: 1760 Herndon Rd
  Has free internet, breakfast, and nationwide calls. Swimming pool, business center, and fitness room and coin laundry are on site.

• 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.