Stanislaus district, California, United States

Places to visit near Modesto

Modesto is a city in Stanislaus district, California, United States, home to about 211,266 people. Within 50 km by road there are 30 places to visit — 5 hill stations & viewpoints, 1 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 10 churches and 2 wildlife, forests & gardens. The must-see places are Modesto Arch (1 km), McHenry Museum (1 km) and Graceada Park (1 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Modesto on the map

Modesto at a glance

Location
Stanislaus district, California, United States
Population
about 211,266
Coordinates
37.6391° N, 120.9969° W
Places within 50 km
30 (20 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Modesto

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Modesto: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Modesto

Things to see near Modesto, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Modesto

34 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Modesto. The closest is Kern Canyon (35 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Modesto

30 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Modesto. The closest is Brush Lake (18 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

All lakes, dams & reservoirs in California →

Churches near Modesto

18 churches within 100 km of Modesto. The closest is Modesto Arch (1 km); the best-known is Ripon Assembly of God Church (20 km). Best time: year-round.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Modesto

18 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Modesto. The closest is Mark Twain Park (3 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

All wildlife, forests & gardens in California →

Parks near Modesto

15 parks within 100 km of Modesto. The closest is Graceada Park (1 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Museums near Modesto

4 museums within 100 km of Modesto. The closest is McHenry Museum (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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A one-day trip from Modesto

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 51 km on the road.

  1. Start in Modesto
  2. 9 km River Bluff Regional Park · park, Stanislaus
  3. 5 km Empire Community Park · park, Stanislaus
  4. 23 km Salida Park · park, Stanislaus
  5. 12 km Graceada Park · park, Stanislaus
  6. 1 km McHenry Museum · museum, Stanislaus
  7. 1 km Back to Modesto

Plan a longer trip from Modesto — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Modesto

No traveller has reported from around Modesto yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Modesto

    All places near Modesto by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Modesto by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints534Kern Canyon (35 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs130Brush Lake (18 km)
    Churches1018Modesto Arch (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens218Mark Twain Park (3 km)
    Parks1115Graceada Park (1 km)
    Museums14McHenry Museum (1 km)
    Caves03Moaning Cave (83 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves02Rough and Ready Island (59 km)
    Other attractions02Altamont Speedway (64 km)
    Forts & heritage02Vallecito Bell Monument (85 km)
    Mosques & dargahs01Lodi Mosque (73 km)

    Modesto: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Modesto?

    McHenry Museum (museum, about 1 km), Graceada Park (park, about 1 km), River Bluff Regional Park (park, about 9 km), Empire Community Park (park, about 11 km), Salida Park (park, about 13 km), Ripon Assembly of God Church (church, about 20 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Modesto?

    30 places on Spotwander: 5 hill stations & viewpoints, 1 lake, 10 churches, 2 wildlife, forests & gardens, 11 parks.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Modesto?

    Kern Canyon, about 35 km by road; Ingram Canyon (38 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Modesto?

    Brush Lake, about 18 km by road; Kesterson Reservoir (54 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Modesto?

    Modesto Arch, about 1 km by road; Ripon Assembly of God Church (20 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Modesto?

    Start in Modesto, visit River Bluff Regional Park, then Empire Community Park, then Salida Park, then Graceada Park, then McHenry Museum, and drive back — about 51 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Modesto?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Modesto

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Modesto’s location and population from GeoNames. Data sources & credits.