Your Ultimate Guide to Starting Summer Right in Stanislaus County!
The long, sunny days have arrived, the orchards are loaded with fruit, and the engines are officially tuning up. If you have been wondering how to kick off your May and June, you’re in the right place.
From the nostalgic neon glow of Graffiti Summer to the sweet fragrance of blooming lavender fields, early summer in Modesto and Stanislaus County is a vibe you can only find right here in the heart of the valley. Grab your calendars, put on your shades, and let’s dive into your ultimate guide to an unforgettable start to the season!
Wait, is the harvest actually ready already?
You bet it is! The spring blossoms are gone and the branches are heavy with our world famous valley produce. May and June are the absolute peak of the MoFresh season, especially for cherries, apricots, and blueberries.
If you want to get your hands on the goods, you have two ways to do it. You can visit our incredible local farm stands or head right into the fields for a u-pick adventure.
Farm Adventures
VanderHelm Farms: Check out their unique new streetcar farm stand for fresh local produce or head out to pick your own seasonal fruit.
Ott Farms: This is a certified local favorite for high quality cherries and blueberries picked fresh from beautiful, sun drenched orchard rows.
Rancho Azul Blueberries: Head out to the scenic Knights Ferry countryside to fill your buckets with many different varieties of large, sweet blueberries.
Fantozzi Farms: This year you can pick your own apricots right from the tree or shop their stand for delicious homemade apricot jam. Make sure you head to their Farm Stand location at 1825 Walnut Ave, Patterson.
The Roadside Staples: You can also fill up your kitchen by stopping at Rodin Farm Stand for premium local nuts or J&J Ramos Farms in Hughson for fresh squeezed juices and handmade baked goods (along with buckets of fruits and veggies at both). Of course, the Modesto Farmers Market is in full swing every Thursday and Saturday morning downtown.
I keep hearing about the flowers. Where should I go?
Early summer is a true sensory experience in the valley. May is the prime time to catch our beautiful local flower stands and lavender farms before the mid-summer heat sets in. Keep in mind that these gorgeous locations are boutique farm experiences and roadside stands rather than u-pick fields, making them perfect for grabbing a fresh bouquet or an artisanal gift.
Local Floral
Roberts Ferry Lavender Farm: Take a drive to the Sierra Nevada foothills to shop for handcrafted organic lavender oils and unique artisan gifts.
Wood Colony Lavender: Book a private farm experience to stroll through the fragrant rows and shop for small batch floral products.
The Flower Outposts: Stop by Wood Colony Farm Stand for stunning fresh cut arrangements, check out the gorgeous designer bouquets at Backroad Blooms, or visit Kelley Flower Farm for a hand tied bouquet of the brightest summer blossoms.
What is the best way to beat the afternoon valley heat?
When the sun gets high in the afternoon, Modesto has you covered with world-class entertainment, great shade, and plenty of refreshing indoor air conditioning.
Beat the Heat with Art, Music, and Movies
If you are looking for a creative evening escape, check out the Modesto Art Walk every third Thursday evening when downtown businesses open their doors to the community. You can also catch intimate, high-energy live theater at the Prospect Theater Project or find unique indie artists performing through the Off the Air Music Series.
Want to beat the midday heat with a movie? Pop into the cool comfort of Brenden Theatres for the latest summer blockbusters, or head over to The State Theatre to watch a cinema classic inside a gorgeous, historic Art Deco landmark.
If you still want to be outside but need a break from the direct sun, the Gallo Center for the Arts hosts their free Brown Bag Summer Concert Series at noon on summer Fridays. You can grab a spot in the shade at the outdoor Modesto Rotary Music Garden, unwrap your lunch, and enjoy acoustic sets from top local musicians.
Got kids? Here is your summer survival list!
If you need to keep the little ones entertained, active, and engaged, you have an incredible lineup of local museums and recreational spots to explore!
Family Fun
Modesto Childrens Museum: Let the kids splash around in the hands-on water labs and explore three floors of interactive wonder.
Great Valley Museum: Discover the natural world of the Central Valley through life-like habitats and amazing planetarium shows.
Be Anything Museum (BAM!): Look at the largest permanent Barbie collection in the world and leave feeling inspired to dream big.
Oakdale Cowboy Museum: Dive into local rodeo history and explore authentic western ranching gear.
McHenry Museum: Walk through thousands of local artifacts including a vintage dentist office and an antique general store from the early valley days.
High-Energy Fun: When the sun goes down, race go-karts at Boomers Modesto, play laser tag at FunWorks, or cool off at one of our local public pools.
Local Shops & Gardens: Find screen-free toys at Story Books and Toys, join one of the many fun events at Bookish Modesto, or enjoy outdoor nature play at the Modesto Children’s Garden.
Did someone say baseball is back?
Yes! This is a historic summer for local sports fans. We are celebrating the inaugural season of our brand new professional team, the Modesto Roadsters. Head out to Modern Woodmen Field to grab a hot dog, cheer on the home team, and experience the classic fun of a summer night at the ballpark.
How do we cool off outdoors?
When the locals want to play outside in June, we head straight to the water.
You can book a scenic, mellow rafting float down the Stanislaus River at Knights Ferry to drift past the historic covered bridge. If you prefer high speed water sports, Woodward Reservoir in Oakdale is the ultimate destination for jet skiing and sunset camping. You can also head over to Dos Rios State Park, California’s newest state park, to enjoy the refreshing river breezes where the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers meet.
And what about the big nights out?
As the sun sets, the valley really comes alive. June belongs to Graffiti Summer, our month long celebration of classic car heritage. You can view pristine vintage cars at the Legends of the Cruise event, watch hundreds of classics roll through downtown during the official American Graffiti Parade, or spend the weekend exploring polished chrome at the Graffiti Festival and Car Show at MJC West Campus. You can even watch American Graffiti on the big screen at The State Theatre.
Beyond the cars, you can catch the historic MoBand community concerts every Thursday night at the Graceada Park bowl throughout June and July. Wrap up a perfect day by grabbing a scoop at The Ice Cream Co or Yogurt Mill, a giant cone at King Cones, or grab a giant pizza slice at local favorite food truck spot Sacred Slice.
Summer is officially here, and your all access pass to the best food, music, cars, and crops is waiting for you. How are you going to spend your weekend in the valley?
