Below is a list of 10 things every visitor (or resident) must do or see while in Stanislaus County. Of course, our area has many more awesome things to offer. The items are in no particular order. Make the effort to experience the things listed, you’ll be glad you did.
1. Sierra Railroad Dinner Train - The Sierra Railroad was formed in 1897 to connect the Central Valley to the Gold County. As the third oldest railroad in North America, the Sierra continues to haul freight, carry passengers, make Hollywood movies, and play an important role in California. The Sierra Railroad Dinner Train, launched in 1999, provides visitors an opportunity to travel on the historic Sierra Railroad while enjoying a delicious meal, beautiful countryside, and a wide range of entertainment.
2. Beekman & Beekman - Visit the original five generation Beekman Family Honey farm. Enjoy the ambiance of the farm and old family gathering room while tasting varietal honey and wines. Also available are products developed from lavender grown on the farm.
3. Gallo Center for the Arts - The Gallo Center for the Arts is a state-of-the-art performing arts complex and houses two performance venues, the 1250-seat Mary Stuart Rogers Theater and the 444-seat Foster Family Theater. The Gallo Center is an outstanding community asset, setting a new standard for all thearts, education, and entertainment for the entire region of Central California. Regional artists and performers will produce shows of a style, size, and quality never deemed possible in the past. Top-flight arts and entertainment from around California, the USA, and around the world will appear before audiences from all parts of Stanislaus County and nearby communities.
4. West Side Theatre - The theatre is a restored 1940 movie house now serving as a performing arts venue. It is operated by a nonprofit foundation. The staff is comprised entirely of volunteers. Seating has been converted to cabaret style. Musical artists are booked for Friday or Saturday nights. Several plays are presented during the year
5. Vintage Faire Mall - The only enclosed, super-regional mall in California’s Central Valley, Vintage Faire continues to solidify its position as the area’s preeminent shopping destination.
6. Frank Raines (Off Highway Vehicle Park) - This regional park offers rugged slopes of California's Coast Range and is functionally divided into two units separated by several miles of road. The eastern-most section encompassing over 1,000 acres of undeveloped land designed for non-motorized recreation uses (e.g. hiking and nature trails, deer and wild pig hunting during specific times of year, etc.). The western-most section includes the Frank Raines day use park, providing picnic areas, playground, sports field, volleyball court, horseshoe pit, hiking and nature trails, restrooms, picnic tables, and barbeques. One-quarter mile up the road is the Deer Creek Canyon area, providing over 1,500 acres for off-highway vehicle recreation.
7. McHenry Museum - McHenry Museum is home to many historical artifacts from the early days of Stanislaus County and the City of Modesto. Originally the city library, the building was given to the city of Modestoin 1912 by the McHenry family and later turned into the museum you see today. Many of the museums exhibits are changed regularly so there is always something new to see. The museum is on the National Register of Historic Places.
8. California State University, Stanislaus - The campus has breathtaking scenery with waterfalls, bridges and sprawling greens. It is the perfect place to picnic or catch a performance by the university’s outstanding theater department. The campus’ art gallery is also a must see.
9. Turlock Lake - Turlock Lake State Recreation Area is an ideal place for day or week-long outings. Open all year and featuring camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, and clean country air, the area offers visitors an opportunity to see the wonderful variety of native plant life that once flourished alongside the rivers of the San Joaquin Valley.
10. Knight’s Ferry Covered Bridge - The bridge was first opened in 1863 and is the longest structure of its kind west of the Mississippi At the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers Visitors Center you’ll find a small museum and outside, next to the covered bridge there are several buildings over 125 years old and remains of the gold rush era.
