莫德斯托

Halfway between 旧金山 和 Yosemite National Park 和 surrounded by some of the state’s richest farml和, the growing city of 莫德斯托 sits at the very heart of California.

Take a stroll around downtown to see many of the 100 colorful street 壁画 painted by international artists invited to 莫德斯托 as part of the annual 多摩君墙 节日. Nationally known musicians 和 touring Broadway musicals come to town for performances at the impressive Gallo Center for the Arts, which is notable for its light-filled atrium 和 as the home for such resident arts organizations as the 莫德斯托 Symphony Orchestra 和 Central West Ballet.

There’s also plenty of history to experience. 装饰艺术 国家剧院 dates to 1934 和 boasts a l和mark neon marquee 和 vintage interior 壁画. Two blocks away, the McHenry Mansion, a gr和 1883 Victorian, offers free guided tours, while the nearby McHenry Museum & Historical Society brings alive 莫德斯托’s past in a stately library building constructed in 1912.

Summer is definitely a special time of year in 莫德斯托. Famed Star Wars director 和 producer George Lucas based the 1973 classic American Graffiti on his experiences growing up in 莫德斯托. The movie was set here, 莫德斯托 commemorates its starring role with June’s Graffiti Summer, a monthlong celebration of cars 和 cruising typically held in June. For a different kind of local tradition, enjoy summer outdoor concerts by the 莫德斯托 B和 of Stanislaus County (better known as MoB和) at the Mancini Bowl amphitheater in Graceada公园. The park was designed by John McLaren, the horticulturist who also created 旧金山’s Golden Gate Park.

If you’re traveling with a furry friend, you’ll find a wide range of accommodations here—the city prides itself on being dog-friendly. Sign up on your mobile phone for a 莫德斯托 Loves Dogs passport, you’ll get recommendations for the best hotels, parks, restaurants to check out together.

Throughout spring 和 summer you can stock up on the freshest of produce—including sweet 和 juicy nectarines, 桃子, melons—at popular 农场站 就像 Loretelli Farms, 罗丹农场, J&拉莫斯农场 (don’t miss the peach cobbler). 莫德斯托 is also almond country: From mid-February to mid-March you can follow the route known as the Almond Blossom Cruise to see the orchards around town showing spectacular color. Along the route, stop into the Blue Diamond Almonds Nut & 礼品商店 to pick up gift baskets 和 treats such as dark chocolate–covered almonds.

And speaking of nuts, the 莫德斯托坚果, a minor-league baseball team affiliated with the Seattle Mariners, plays at John Thurman Field, 一个亲密的, historic ballpark that opened in 1955.