Modesto is the county seat of Stanislaus County in inland California. It is located in the San Joaquin Valley on the Tuolumne and Stanislaus Rivers. Originally an agricultural city, Modesto has become a bedroom community due to its proximity to the larger cities of Stockton, Fresno and Sacramento. Modesto is the 16th largest city in California.

Modesto is a community dedicated to growth, progress and the quality of community life. Proud of its vibrant citizenry, great traditions, educational opportunities and multi-cultural lifestyles, Modesto is twice-blessed with mild weather year-round and some of the world’s richest soil. .

Modesto offers the diversity and facilities of a metropolitan city, but still maintains an atmosphere of old-fashioned hospitality and small town charm. Modesto offers the full spectrum of arts and entertainment from talented local artists and resident companies to international touring stars – we are considered the culture hub of the Central Valley.

Modesto is located in the heart of one of the greatest agricultural areas of our nation – the San Joaquin Valley. Dairy products, almonds, apricots, melons, tomatoes, wine grapes, peaches, walnuts and poultry products are some of our top commodities. Visit in early spring to enjoy the delightful sights and smells of orchard blossoms. Come in the summer or fall and “Taste Modesto” at our traditional Farmer's Market or at a roadside produce stand.

Should your “tastes” run more on the adventurous side, try rafting on the Stanislaus River, biking trails throughout Modesto, horseback riding at area ranches, and outdoor in-line skating or skateboarding at Modesto’s skate park.

If leisure is your pleasure, explore our regional mall with a newly expanded Village, picnic in one of our 75 parks, visit the McHenry Museum or Mansion, play a round of golf or just bask poolside in our warm sunshine. Centrally located on Highway 99, Modesto allows for easy access to many major tourist attractions in California. To the west lies the San Francisco Bay Area (90-miles) and the Santa Cruz Beach (115-miles). To the east is the famed Gold Country “Mother Lode” (50-miles) and a little farther you can find the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range, Lake Tahoe (180-miles) and Yosemite National Park (110-miles).

With family-friendly attractions, festivals, museums, agriculture tours and tastings to first-class hotels and four-star restaurants, Modesto has something for everyone. Whenever you visit, you will have the opportunity to enjoy all of the “Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health” that Modesto has to offer! After all, we are a well-established community filled with civic pride and grand plans for the future.

Modesto, California has more than a dozen distinct neighborhoods spanning 35 square miles of the San Joaquin Valley. The city's dual roles both urban growth area and agricultural center mean you have twice the variety of living styles available to you if you move to Modesto. For instance, if you're a single, white-collar professional you might prefer an urban lifestyle living in an upscale condo, while if you have a family to raise your lifestyle might be better suited to a detached single family home. Or, if city living doesn't suit; you can join the ranks of California's agricultural providers and live on a sprawling farm.

Modesto, CA has neighborhoods to suit all these different lifestyles. Single professionals can find the highest concentration of condos and apartments downtown and in the surrounding neighborhoods. For a suburban lifestyle, try the neighborhoods of La Loma or Riverdale Park. Farmland can be found all around the outskirts of the city. And for those who would like to help in the revitalization efforts, the neighborhoods of Airport and Weed and Seed could use your assistance.

Housing Cost

Modesto, California is relentlessly average when it comes to cost of living and real estate prices compared to the United States average. The cost of living is 99.9 to the U.S. average of 100. The average house can be bought for around $369,000 while renters pay on average $950 per month.

Demographics

Population in July 2008: 202,967. Modesto covers 35.8 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 87 feet above sea level. Area codes: 209, 559

Weather

Modesto, CA climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and cool during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50's.

The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 93.60 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is December with an average minimum temperature of 38.90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be relatively big during summer with a difference that can reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 16 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Modesto is 13.12 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is January with an average rainfall of 2.56 Inches.

Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com