Almond Blossom Cruise
Almond Blossom Cruise
It’s Almost Almond Blossom Cruise O’Clock!
While we’re busy celebrating the holidays, our local orchard trees are hard at work growing a fresh batch of almonds (and fruits, berries, and other nuts). Don’t miss out on your opportunity to “cruise” through our blossoming orchards for a few short weeks in spring of 2025! Start your planning for Almond Blossom Cruise season now – browse through our links, book your hotel room, and keep an eye out for all of our exciting updates coming soon!
2024 Orchard Views
Stay Connected
Click HERE to book your hotel stay. Special packages available NOW – read more below!
From the comfort of your own car, the tour app gives you turn by turn directions through the countryside with fun stops along the way. Click HERE to purchase.
Choose Your Cruise!
For just four weeks each year, Mother Nature delivers over 120,000 acres of white and pink almond blossoms around Modesto. From the comfort of your own car, or in a motor coach on Saturdays, enjoy the Wayfarer audio tour, or take your own ‘cruise’ with our map through the countryside with fun stops along the way. The Wayfarer App will pace directions with you, traveling to Rodin Farms, where you can picnic in the orchards, and Knights Ferry, where you can take a stroll along the Stanislaus River. On the way you learn about almonds (of course), George Lucas – a local boy, experience an almond butter milkshake at Roberts Ferry Gourmet, find the best IG photo stops around, and even visit the oldest olive oil producer in the U.S. for a tasting at Sciabica Olive Oil.
Get the Almond Blossom Cruise App
Imagine turn-by-turn directions in the comfort of your own car through miles of almond blossoms with stories about why Modesto is the heart of almond country, local history, some tidbits about George Lucas and E&J Gallo Winery, and even some local musicians to keep you company. Add to that fun stops along the way that include orchard walks, farm stands, almond butter milkshakes and even an olive oil tasting at the oldest olive oil producer in the nation. Plus you get to fill your trunk with locally made and grown goodies to take home! That’s what you’ll get and more with the Wayfarer Almond Blossom Cruise audio tour. If you have any problems at all, call the Wayfarer team at 747-388-4621.
The Almond Blossom Cruise is here!
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2024 Almond Blossom Cruise Packages
Almond Joy Package
This package was created with fun in mind! Hop in the car with your friends or significant other and cruise the blossoms while stopping at some of our favorite local spots and using your coveted deals book.
Package includes:
(1) One Wayfarer Almond Blossom Cruise Tour to download to your mobile device with turn-by-turn directions, sure to keep you entertained while ‘cruising’ over 160,000 acres of blooming almonds. Stops along the way include two orchards to walk amongst the blossoms (great for family pictures, IG or fun reels), visits to covered bridges as well as a cheese factory with farm animals to feed and more fun agricultural experiences
(1) Almond Blossom Swag bag with nuts, sweets and logo swag
(1) “Let’s Go Nuts” Deal Book with over 20 local discounts from shops, farmstands and restaurants with offers of 20% or more including local olive oil, Almond Butter Milkshakes, hot cocoa and more!
Purchase NOW!
Family ABC Package
This package was created for fun for the whole family! Including coloring books and stickers for the kiddos and deals for the whole family, it’s sure to keep everyone entertained.
Package includes:
(1) One Wayfarer Almond Blossom Cruise Tour to download to your mobile device with turn-by-turn directions, sure to keep you entertained while ‘cruising’ over 160,000 acres of blooming almonds. Stops along the way include two orchards to walk amongst the blossoms (great for family pictures, IG or fun reels), visits to covered bridges as well as a cheese factory with farm animals to feed and more fun agricultural experiences
(1) Almond Blossom Swag bag with nuts, sweets and logo swag
(2) Almond Coloring Books and Crayons
Stickers
(1) “Let’s Go Nuts” Deal Book with over 20 local discounts from shops, farmstands and restaurants with offers of 20% or more including our newly opened Modesto Children’s Museum, Almond Butter Milkshakes, hot cocoa and more!
Purchase NOW!
Petal to the Metal Package
This package is a Tour Bus Cruise, ideal for those who would rather sit back and enjoy the cruise! You’ll receive a great swag bag filled with deals for every stop plus an almond butter milkshake (be sure to save room for this local delicacy!) and even an olive oil tasting at the nation’s oldest operating olive oil producer. This tour takes approximately 4 to 4 1/2 hours and includes an Almond Blossom Cruise snack and swag bag.
Tour will cover:
- Start at Rodin Farms with orchard walk and farm stand visit. This is one of only two orchards in the region where you can walk amongst the blooms, get the perfect IG shot or add to your family album! Rodin is one of the most diverse farm stands in the region.
- Once you start the ‘cruise’ upon leaving Rodin Farms, the audio tour will begin with a celebrity welcome and provide you with stories and education about almonds (80% of the world’s almonds are grown in the Central Valley), some regional history, stories about home-town hero George Lucas and even how the Legend of Zorro was born here near Modesto!
- From Rodin Farms, you’ll cruise through miles and miles of orchards along the way to Knights Ferry Bridge on the Stanislaus River. This scenic park is home to the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi. Just before you get to the park, there will be an option to grab lunch at local’s favorite, 50’s Roadhouse.
- Next comes a stop Oakdale Cheese Factory home of the nation’s #1 Gouda Cheese; watch live cheesemaking, shop at the country store, feed the farm animals and koi fish, or grab a fresh grilled cheese sandwich on the porch!
- From Oakdale, your cruise through more orchards while listening to stories about the region on the way to Roberts Ferry Gourmet in Waterford. Walk the orchards, enjoy family games, grab your world-famous almond butter milkshake, and visit Roberts Ferry Covered Bridge.
- The last stop on your tour will be for an Olive Oil tasting at Sciabica California Olive Oil, the nation’s oldest operating olive oil producer. For those who like craft breweries, you’ll be able to try some of Sciabica’s Track 424 Brewery or visit the gift shop!
- From Sciabica’s, you’ll cruise back to Rodin Farms for some last incredible picture taking or local farm stand shopping. For those who wish to meet the coach in downtown, you will be able to walk from both downtown hotels to Visit Modesto’s Welcome Center and get on the coach. You’ll want to add 15-20 minutes on each side of your tour for this extra hop-on/hop-off stop where you can enjoy comfortable downtown Modesto with dozens of building sized murals, cafes, shops, restaurants, brew pubs and theaters. Each guest will also receive a “Let’s Get Nuts” Deal Book with over 20 local discounts from shops, farmstands and restaurants with offers of 20% or more!
Purchase NOW!
**Important Note: This package will only be available on the Saturdays during the Almond Blossom Cruise
2024 Almond Blossom Cruise Map
You will find free Maps, Almond Activity Guides, Coloring Books, and more at our California Welcome Center, along with a smiling face to help you make the most of your ‘Cruise’!
Almond Harvest
Once the weather heats up, farmers irrigate the orchards to ensure each drop of water is used responsibly (these green almonds are often harvested for culinary uses). In July, the hulls split open, exposing the shell and allowing it and the kernel to dry. After harvest, almonds go to a huller/sheller facility where a roller removes the hull, shell and orchard debris. Then to the processor for sizing, where the kernels drop into bins by size. They are then kept in controlled storage until either shipped or processed. Learn more about the lifecycle of an almond HERE!
Almond Harvest Videos
Health Benefits of Almonds
Producing 80% of the world’s supply, California almonds make their way to almond lovers in over 90 countries worldwide. And the biggest almond lovers are right here in the U.S., where over 30% of almonds grown in California each year are consumed.
Almond Health Benefits
Almond Recipes
2023 ABC Highlights
Inspire some ABC FOMO by looking at HelloRubyDoodle’s blog post about their time in Modesto last spring. Give them a follow on Instagram and TikTok for more traveling with your dog inspo, and start packing your bags for your own photo shoot in the blossoms! While you’re browsing through photos and planning your own Almond Blossom Cruise, check out the Symphonic ABC playlist from Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director Nicholas Hersh – meant to evoke feelings of spring and be experienced in the exact order it’s laid out in, so please don’t shuffle!
Photo Credit HelloRubyDoodle
Photo Credit HelloRubyDoodle
Are you wondering why 80% of the world’s almonds come from the Central Valley? Check out this TikTok from @JerryThink on the unique climate in Central California.
Special thanks to the Almond Board of California, the local ranchers who do all the hard work and the entire community for helping to make this an exciting trip for so many who came to visit!
Did you enjoy listening to local Modesto singer/songwriter Téa Noelle during our audio tour? Check out more of her music at her site HERE!
Need a Charge?
Running low on juice during your cruise? Click here for a list of nearby charging locations!
Almonds on the Menu
Looking for some specialty almond dishes to enjoy? Check out our “Almonds on the Menu” list of restaurants!
Don’t miss out on any Almond Blossom updates! Scan the QR code to the left or text “BLOSSOM” to (209) 217-9068 for the latest Almond Blossom Cruise info and insider tips!
DO’S & DON’TS of ALMOND BLOSSOM CRUISING
- Drive Carefully and find safe places to park for pictures on your cruise.
- Take lots of photos & share your adventures with us – #visitmodesto & tag us @visitmodesto.
- Be sure to stop at the local farm stands to pick up fresh local products.
- Take walks in approved orchards: Rodin Farms & Richard’s Ranch in Modesto and Roberts Ferry Gourmet in Waterford.
- Walk in orchards or farmland from roadsides.
- Drive into farmland, dirt roads, or along canal pathways.
- Forget to clean up after your pet or your group.
- Pick the blossoms – that’s going to be an almond!
- Leave without grabbing some almonds. From smoked to cinnamon, to jalapeño to chocolate coated, there’s something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee? No fee. It’s free. There are packages and an audio tour that can enhance your scenic cruising with info and entertainment, but just to do the drive is free.
Where Can We Take Pictures? You can take pictures at the following locations:
~Rodin Farms – The almond orchards come up right to the parking lot area.
~Roberts Ferry Gourmet – The almond orchards also pull up right to the parking lot area.
~Richard’s Ranch – The orchards surround the event barn and there are lovely picnic areas, wine tasting, and family-friendly games as well.
What’s Your Favorite Spot? Follow us on social media to stay updated on where flowers are blooming.
When can I take the cruise? Mother Nature decides the actual timing of the blossoms. Once they start blooming; however, it is best to cruise your own adventure during daylight hours. Visit Modesto suggests starting by no later than 11am if you’re going to do the longest of the routes
~Some orchard walk locations and businesses have specific hours of operation. Please call ahead for details.
What do I do if I need help or info while I am out cruising? You can start by calling (209.526.5588) or texting (209.217.9068) Visit Modesto. From there, we will try to help you or get you better info.