Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This is a good spot for getting off the dusty highway. Old oaks arch over the city's
streets and you can eat well in the compact downtown. The
Ernest & Julio Gallo Win-
ery
, makers of America's best-selling jug wines, is among the town's biggest businesses.
Downtown sits just east of Hwy 99 (avoid the area west of the freeway), centering on
10th and J Sts. From downtown, Yosemite Blvd (Hwy 132) runs east toward Yosemite Na-
tional Park.
Many historic buildings have survived revitalization, including the 1934
State Theatre
(
www.thestate.org
; 1307 J St)
, which hosts films and live music, and the
Southern Pacific de-
pot
, a Mission-style beauty at J and 9th Sts that still serves as the transit hub. The famous
Modesto Arch
, on the corner of 9th and I Sts, stands at what was once the city's main
entry point. The town's slogan on it, 'Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health,' came from a
1912 contest and remains as relevant today as when it went up. Ironically, the pithy little
poem didn't actually win the contest. Judges chose the folksy, if less eloquent, 'Nobody's
Got Modesto's Goat' but were overruled by the city government.
209-338-2100;
www.galloarts.org
;
1000 I St; 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, from noon Sat)
brings huge
acts to the Valley. For details, check the
Convention & Visitors Bureau
(
888-640-8467;
http://visitmodesto.com
; 1150 9th St)
.
Eating
Brighter Side
SANDWICHES
(
www.brighter-side.com
;
1125 K St, cnr 13th & K Sts; mains $5-6; 11am-3:30pm Mon-Fri; )
An earthy little sandwich shop housed in a wood-shingled, former gas station, serves up
sandwiches including the Larry (polish sausage, mushrooms, green onions on rye) and the
veggie Christine on the sunny patio.
A&W Drive-In
AMERICAN
(
www.awrestaurants.com
; 1404 G St, cnr 14th & G Sts; cheeseburger $3, float $4;
10am-9pm, to
8pm Oct-Mar)
