# What to do in Modesto, CA this weekend? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 26, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-modesto-ca-this-weekend/616870 "2012-03-26T19:52:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-modesto-ca-this-weekend/616870/1 "2012-03-26T19:52:02Z")
I’m going to be visiting Modesto this weekend. What’s interesting to do there? Yes, I can hear the snarky comments already, but I’m not interested in those. I’m looking for real suggestions of things to do there. For reference, we don’t drink or go to clubs. We’re moderately active middle-aged people. Thanks for your suggsetions. J. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-modesto-ca-this-weekend/616870/2 "2012-03-26T20:03:10Z")
Well, there’s the Gallo Center of the Arts. You could see what’s going on there this weekend. Or you could go with my snarky answer: the most popular activity in Modesto is getting out of Modesto. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-modesto-ca-this-weekend/616870/3 "2012-03-26T20:14:16Z")
> [@Greg\_Charles](#): > > Well, there’s the Gallo Center of the Arts. You could see what’s going on there this weekend. Or you could go with my snarky answer: the most popular activity in Modesto is getting out of Modesto. Actually, the whole reason I’m going to Modesto is to attend an event at the Gallo Center… 🙂 Thanks for the input, J. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-modesto-ca-this-weekend/616870/4 "2012-03-26T20:32:12Z")
If you’re up for some history and a short road trip, you can check out the [Oakdale Cowboy Museum](http://www.oakdalecowboymuseum.org/) and, a bit further down the road, the [longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi](http://yosemitegazette.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=103:knights-ferry-bridge-&catid=23:archives&Itemid=125). ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-modesto-ca-this-weekend/616870/5 "2012-03-26T20:36:15Z")
[110 Miles to Yosemite.](http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=CA-99+S&daddr=37.55567,-120.55024+to:Northside+Dr&hl=en&sll=37.646859,-120.234375&sspn=0.848137,1.783905&geocode=FcZTPgIdkJTJ-A%3BFdYNPQIdoIzQ-ClnaUPHiheRgDH8WacQ0h4-uQ%3BFeDxPwIdjknf-A&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&t=m&z=10) […Or 106 miles, your choice.](http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=CA-99+S&daddr=37.7652,-119.85455+to:Northside+Dr&hl=en&sll=37.646859,-120.234375&sspn=0.848137,1.783905&geocode=FcZTPgIdkJTJ-A%3BFVBAQAIdKirb-CnlLdt6wNyWgDFQMbYepsUymA%3BFeDxPwIdjknf-A&mra=dvme&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&t=m&z=10) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-modesto-ca-this-weekend/616870/6 "2012-03-27T00:26:38Z")
> [@Greg\_Charles](#): > > Well, there’s the Gallo Center of the Arts. You could see what’s going on there this weekend. Or you could go with my snarky answer: the most popular activity in Modesto is getting out of Modesto. I live nearby in Turlock. I couldn’t agree more. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-modesto-ca-this-weekend/616870/7 "2012-03-27T00:47:06Z")
Modesto is the birthplace of George Lucas. There’s Modesto Junior College where Lucas took courses in Anthropology. Then there’s the [Vintage Faire Mall](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vintage_Faire_Mall). I’m suprised I have heard of many Star Wars fans making pilgramages to Modesto. I wanna go. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-modesto-ca-this-weekend/616870/8 "2012-03-27T02:13:13Z")
Drive around listening to the Wolfman on the radio, and see if Milner wants to race you! ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-modesto-ca-this-weekend/616870/9 "2012-03-27T03:35:44Z")
> [@Greg\_Charles](#): > > Well, there’s the Gallo Center of the Arts. You could see what’s going on there this weekend. Or you could go with my snarky answer: the most popular activity in Modesto is getting out of Modesto. Call it snark or not… This is right. There really isn’t much to see or do in Modesto. There’s the McHenry Mansion, a historic vintage residence in the downtown area, near the library, if you’re into that sort of thing. There was a fire there in January. I don’t know the current status. Yeah, you can enjoy yourself at the shopping mall. :rolleyes: Savor the window displays at Victoria’s Secret. No kidding, if you’re bored, you may need to find someplace else to go. The San Francisco Bay Area is just 1 to 3 hours drive away (depending on which part you go to). If you’re looking to kill some time, go there. Or drive 2 to 3 hours into the North Bay wine country areas (Napa, Marin, Solano, Sonoma counties). If you’re interested in aquatic activities (boating, etc), you can probably find some as close as Stockton or elsewhere nearby in the Delta area. Or head east up into the Sierra foothills, up State Route 120/108. There’s that park with the covered footbridge at Knights Ferry, mentioned above. Also has some minor hiking trails there. A ways up the hill, you begin to get into the “Gold Country” region. There’s a little town of Jamestown, with a historic railroad museum. I read somewhere it’s slated to go out of business (maybe this coming summer?) unless they get some funding somewhere. Catch it while it lasts. A little farther up the road is Sonora, touristy little Gold Country gateway town. Maybe you can kick around there and find something. If you do choose to go to the Bay Area for your extended entertainment, there’s [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=644603) recent thread full of touristy suggestions for there. And, if you DO find anything interesting to see or do in or near Modesto, let ME know too!