Overview
Modesto is a city in California's San Joaquin Valley.
4 sights · 4 things to do · 5 places to eat · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Modesto
McHenry Mansion & Museum
A restored historical home built in 1883, offers free tours year-round. The Museum is across the street from the mansion.
Gallo Center For The Arts
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.
Great Valley Museum and Planetarium
A natural history museum tailored to the Central Valley with planetarium and special exhibits. Lots of stuffed kitty cats and deer and that sort of thing.
California's Oldest & Largest Walnut Tree
Per unknown source; tree is unmarked but next to roadway.
Boomers! Modesto
Amusement park.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Feb–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 95°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Feb.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SCK Stockton Metropolitan Airport, Stockton — 21 mi away. Directions
- MCE Merced Regional Macready Field, Merced — 37 mi away. Directions
- SJC Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Jose — 55 mi away (major hub). Directions
Modesto is served several times a day by Amtrak and its Gold Runner 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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning McHenry Mansion & Museum, Gallo Center For The Arts
- Lunch La Morenita
- Afternoon Jacob Myers Park, Lucas Plaza Statue
- Dinner Velvet Grill and Creamery
Day 2
- Morning Great Valley Museum and Planetarium, California's Oldest & Largest Walnut Tree
- Lunch El Rosal
- Afternoon Boomers! Modesto, Sunshine Rafting Adventures
- Dinner Brighter Side Sandwich Shop
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
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
Modesto has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. Summers see very high temperatures, with average highs around 95°F and lows around 64°F. Despite this, summer temperatures can still exceed 103°F regularly, with nighttime lows around or above 71°F.
Get in
By plane
By train
Modesto is served several times a day by Amtrak and its Gold Runner 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
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.
See California's Oldest & Largest Walnut Tree
Per unknown source; tree is unmarked but next to roadway.
Do
Learn
Buy
Eat
Breakfast
Eat Velvet Grill and Creamery
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.
Eat Old Mill Cafe
A local favorite for breakfast. Biscuits and gravy.YUM!
Lunch
Eat Brighter Side Sandwich Shop
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
Eat La Morenita
Great Mexican food, friendly staff and family friendly.
Eat El Rosal
Mexican Food. Voted the best Mexican burrito in the Modesto Bee several years running.
Sleep
Additional lodging options can be found in the neighboring town of Salida.
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.
Nearby
Salida
City / town · 6 listings · 6 mi away
Ripon
City / town · 2 listings · 9 mi away
Oakdale
City / town · 5 listings · 11 mi away
Turlock
City / town · 5 listings · 13 mi away
Westley
City / town · 2 listings · 14 mi away
Patterson
City / town · 1 listings · 15 mi away
Manteca
City / town · 30 listings · 16 mi away
Hilmar
City / town · 1 listings · 19 mi away
My experience
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