Modesto Travel Guide

Old-time Modesto comes alive at the 1883 McHenry Mansion, preserved by the area's world-famous vintners, the Gallos, and furnished in period antiques. Just north, in Oakdale, stop at the Hershey's Visitors Center to see how the chocolate company's western plant makes their treats.

Modesto and most of the Central Valley are considered major bread baskets of the USA producing almost all the canned tomatoes in the USA. If in Modesto in the summertime, drop by and see Stanislaus Foods from the Road on D street just off 9th street (old 99) in Modesto. The amount of tomatoes leaving trucks and rolling up the ramps into the cannery are just amazing to watch.

Downtown Modesto has been undergoing redevelopment in the past decade. New, quality oriented restaurants abound and are well worth hopping into for a quick bite or quick drink. New shops, theater and 10th street plaza have all been added and are well worth checking out. Just 5 blocks from the McHenry Mansion and McHenry Museum listed above. 10th street place is also adjacent to J street, the "crusing street" of Modesto Native George Lucas of American Graffiti claim.  Cruising doesn't happen on J street anymore, but you can still get the cruisin' attitude at the A & W drive-in on 14th Street where you are served by girls on roller skates and antique cars sit in the parking lot.