If you’ve driven to Yosemite National Park, you’ve probably passed through Modesto. Maybe you even stopped for lunch. This is how many people view the town: as a blip on the road to the mountains. It’s understandable. In a state like California where destinations include Wine Country, Lake Tahoe, and Disneyland, the many charms of a place like Modesto are easy to overlook. But that’s part of what makes it so worthwhile.
Modesto is affordable, uncrowded and teeming with art and culinary experiences — a destination in its own right. To help you plan a visit, keep reading for a few of our favorite things to see, do, eat and experience in Modesto.
Enjoy the bounty of local farms
Food is Modesto’s love language. The city is located in the heart of some of the most abundant farmland in the state; on the drive in to town you’ll pass orchards, rows of crops and dairy farms. Although it makes for some pretty scenery, Modesto’s agricultural offerings are best appreciated when you get out of the car. Farmstands like Rodin Farms showcase the diversity of food grown here. Load up your car with locally grown nuts, berries, stone fruit and more for the weekend, and then again before you head back home.
You may have gone wine tasting in Napa or Sonoma but have you ever been olive oil tasting? The Sciabica Family Tasting Room & Gift Shop offers free tastings of different varieties of extra virgin olive oil, including flavored oils pressed with ingredients like fresh lemons and garlic. The Sciabica family began producing olive oil in Modesto back in 1936, and today third and fourth-generation family members run the business.
Cheese wheels at Oakdale Cheese and Specialties in Modesto, Calif.
Courtesy of Tamara Gane, Special to SFGATEJust outside Modesto, Oakdale Cheese and Specialities is a must-stop for cheese lovers. Operated by fourth-generation cheesemakers, visitors watch them work while they browse and sample hand-crafted cheeses. The shop also operates a small cafe with incredible grilled cheese sandwiches, a koi pond, and farm animals ready to greet the kids.
Last by not least, Modesto is also home to one of the best farmers markets in the Bay Area with live music, arts, kids’ crafts and offerings from local farms. Check out the Modesto Certified Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m year-round, and also on Thursdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. during the summer months.
Get your nostalgia on at The American Graffiti Festival
Modesto’s most famous son is undoubtedly George Lucas. His classic film, “American Graffiti” was based on cruising the streets of his hometown as a teen. There are nods to Lucas all over town, including murals of Star Wars characters, statues and a forthcoming Graffiti USA Museum dedicated to classic cars. Every June, the community comes together for The American Graffiti Festival & Car Show, a festival that features classic car shows, street fairs, parades, live music and more.
Murals in downtown Modesto, Calif.
Courtesy of Tamara Gane, Special to SFGATEGo on a mural tour through downtown Modesto
The streets of Modesto are filled with over 100 works of public art. The city is especially famous for its stunning collection of murals. Artists from across the globe have traveled to Modesto to use buildings as canvases, transforming the city into an alfresco art gallery. Murals include depictions of Darth Vader, Princess Leia, flowers, animals, farm life and more.
To get the most out of the experience, download a map of the murals here.
Enjoy a live show
Tony Bennet, John Legend, Steve Martin and Wanda Sykes: these are just some of the names that have performed at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The gorgeous state-of-the-art facility hosts a roster of performances throughout the year including Broadway plays, comedy shows and concerts. It also holds a popular free outdoor concert series on the front patio in summer.
In spring and summer, the The Fruit Yard Amphitheater holds concerts at an outdoor venue nestled within a 90-acre fruit orchard. The 2023 lineup includes Sam Hunt, Parker McCollum, Air Supply and more.
A close-up of almond blossoms in Modesto, Calif.
Courtesy of Tamara Gane, Special to SFGATETake a scenic almond blossom cruise
In spring, the almond orchards surrounding Modesto burst into blossom. It’s always been a popular time for photo ops and scenic drives, but now the experience is even better with the introduction of the Almond Blossom Cruise audio tour. The audio tour offers turn-by-turn directions, local trivia and fascinating context about agriculture and history in central California, all while guiding you over rolling hills and breathtaking vistas to orchards, farm stands and parks. You can download the tour here.
Treat yourself to a meal at a Modesto restaurant
A city rooted in agriculture like Modesto has no shortage of great places to eat. Camp 4 is owned by Modesto native Damon Robbins, whose father Royal Robbins was a pioneer of climbing and the first to solo El Capitan’s Muir Wall in Yosemite. Damon Robbins named his restaurant Camp 4 in honor of the climbers’ camp in Yosemite of the same name; the walls of the restaurant are covered with pictures and memorabilia from the park. The spirit of Camp 4 goes further than appearances, however. The restaurant/wine bar manages to put thought into each detail without succumbing to pretension. The menu is simple and fresh with rotating offerings like charcuterie, poke bowls and paninis served in a casual atmosphere marked by an air of camaraderie.
Also not to be missed is Galletto Ristorante. Located in a historic art deco bank building, the glamorous architecture signals that you’ve arrived somewhere special. Soaring ceilings, rich paintings and stately columns set the tone for the restaurant’s interior. A vine-covered patio with a large wood-burning fireplace is no less inviting. In the back, a bocce ball court brings an unexpected playfulness to the space. The menu focuses on Italian classics served with local ingredients and California flare. Galleto Ristorante also has an extensive wine list.
Hit the Dry Creek Trail
Dry Creek Trail is the perfect place to walk off your meal. The trail is 4.7 miles long; along the way, you’ll walk among enormous oak trees, eucalyptus and a lovely creek. The trail is paved and mostly flat, and at the halfway point, East La Loma Community Park offers a large grassy area, disc golf, tennis courts, basketball courts, a playground and restroom facilities.
Find it: Dry Creek Trail 2001 Edgewood Dr, Modesto, CA 95354
This beautiful park in Modesto California is on the east side off of Yosemite Boulevard and boasts a picnic area with tables, beautiful landscaping, water spray in the small lake and colorful trees.
jmoor17/Getty Images/iStockphotoWhere to stay in Modesto
If you’re planning to spend the night or weekend in Modesto, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Modesto is an ideal spot for those planning to spend most of their time downtown. You can park your car for the weekend and walk to the Gallo Center for the Arts, several restaurants and Modesto’s amazing collection of murals.
Springhill Suites Modesto is a few minutes outside of downtown, but amenities like free breakfast and an outdoor pool with a hot tub make it a great option for families, especially since the guest rooms feature separate seating areas with sofa beds.
If you came to town to explore Modesto’s agricultural offerings, why not stay on a farm? Rental sites like Airbnb feature full private homes in the Modesto area. One of our favorites is situated on 20 acres, surrounded by walnut trees. The property is also home to a friendly collection of goats and chickens and a swimming pool shared by the main house. The home has 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, and sleeps 7 guests. Find it on Airbnb.
This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].
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