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Nestled in California’s Central Valley, Modesto is centred around a beautiful historic core and is near the white-water rafting runs on the Tuolumne River. It blends a rich architectural heritage with a lively modern baseball culture.

Things to do

Delve into the local history at the McHenry Mansion, a Victorian-Italianate house built in the late-19th century by rancher Robert McHenry. Tour the elegant rooms decorated with period furnishings, then explore the exhibits of the McHenry Museum across the street.

Mingle with locals while watching the Modesto Nuts minor league baseball team in action at John Thurman Field. Alternatively, take in a show at the world-class Gallo Center for the Arts, where you can see orchestral performances, international acrobatics and off-Broadway musicals.

Stroll through “DoMo”, the affectionate name given by locals to the historic core of Downtown Modesto. Its Victorian, Italianate and Mission-style buildings house a diverse selection of restaurants, while farmers’ markets are held throughout the week. There's also a monthly Art Walk that takes in Modesto’s galleries and studios.

A short drive east of Modesto takes you to the wild landscapes that surround the Tuolumne River and one of California’s most popular white-water runs. Embark on a one, two or three-day trip to experience its class III and IV rapids at Rams Head, Hells Kitchen and Clavey Falls.

Getting around

Modesto is 1.5 hours’ drive from San Francisco International Airport and Sacramento International Airport. Trains connect north to Sacramento and south to Bakersfield, while Modesto is well-serviced by public buses and has a pedestrian-friendly downtown area.