Is Modesto worth the visit? (San Jose, San Francisco: new home, university, living)

[dag7763]

My family is going to visit my nephew at San Francisco State University. We are flying into Vegas first where we are going to spend 3 or 4 days with some other relatives who live in Summerlin, and then we are going to drive into CA. We will probably take a pit stop in LA so we can see a few quick tourist spots (drive down the Sunset Strip, take a picture of my sons by the Hollywood sign etc.) and then driving up to SF.


American Graffiti has been my favorite movie since I was a teen and really started getting into classic cars. As you may know, the movie takes place in Modesto. It seems that Modesto wouldn't be too far of a detour from the scenic route we are taking up north from LA, and me and my boys both think it would be cool to take a drive through just as kind of a quick little pilgrimage to my favorite film. I've never been to California (farthest out west we have been is Dallas, Texas and Las Vegas) and we are coming from NYC.


I've read that unfortunately these days Modesto is kind of a depressed Ag town with gangs, poverty, illegals etc. and there isn't really much to see. Is that true? Is it worth the pit stop?


Thanks

[Fiddlehead]

I don't think the American Graffiti ideal describes Modesto now. Like all older valley towns, you will meet a lot of nice, down to earth people, of whom many will be Hispanic. Nice orchards and vineyards around that area too. However, it is flat as a pancake, and it does not rank high on the bucket list of places to see in California. You might enjoy combining a trip through Modest with a visit to the Sierra though.

[Mr5150]

Modesto is not exactly a place people visit for pleasure. It is an OK town, but that is as far as it goes. I live near a small town 50 miles east of Modesto. I only go there for Costco, Macys and if my job requires it.

Better to take 101 from LA to SF as opposed to I-5, both from a traffic and scenic standpoint. Well worth the extra time

[dag7763]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

I don't think the American Graffiti ideal describes Modesto now. Like all older valley towns, you will meet a lot of nice, down to earth people, of whom many will be Hispanic. Nice orchards and vineyards around that area too. However, it is flat as a pancake, and it does not rank high on the bucket list of places to see in California. You might enjoy combining a trip through Modest with a visit to the Sierra though.

Thanks for the advice. We weren't going to spend the night or anything, just drive through and see some places and explore, maybe stop for some food to eat before we get up to Frisco nothing fancy. I couldn't care less if the residents are Hispanic or white or purple, though according to C-D the town is about 50/40 white and Hispanic. I just didn't want to make a pit stop to drive through a slum or something depressing like that, I'm not expecting 50s cruisers and such, it's just that I have seen the movie so many times I wanted to see what the place was like. This is my first time in CA and I have no idea if I ever will go out there again so I wanted to see it. If it isn't worth it though I will save the gas lol.


What's the Sierra? The Sierra Nevada mountains? Oh noo, that's a wee bit too much we were only planning on taking a detour and spending maybe 3 or 4 hours.

[dag7763]

Originally Posted by Mr5150

Modesto is not exactly a place people visit for pleasure. It is an OK town, but that is as far as it goes. I live near a small town 50 miles east of Modesto. I only go there for Costco, Macys and if my job requires it.

Better to take 101 from LA to SF as opposed to I-5, both from a traffic and scenic standpoint. Well worth the extra time

Thanks. That's what I am getting too. I just wanted to see the place from the movie but I'm not going to go out of my way to just see a non-descript ag town. We were going to take CA-99 up from LA to Modesto and then head west from there into the Bay Area, probably not worth it though. Highway 101 would be cool.

Can one take the Pacific Coast Hwy all the way up?

[justinbro2002]

Modesto is pretty much a bedroom exurb town today. There are strip malls big chain stores everywhere a big shopping mall. New homes. There are gangs and homeless and tweaks. A lot of people living there commute to the bay area. I don't know of you would recognize Modesto as the city American graffiti was filmed in anymore. That was over 40 years ago. But you could drive through just to say you did.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by dag7763

Thanks. That's what I am getting too. I just wanted to see the place from the movie but I'm not going to go out of my way to just see a non-descript ag town. We were going to take CA-99 up from LA to Modesto and then head west from there into the Bay Area, probably not worth it though. Highway 101 would be cool.

Can one take the Pacific Coast Hwy all the way up?

99 would not be my choice. If by the Pacific Coast Hwy, you mean HWY 1, you will want to make it a two or three day trip. Hwy one splits off 101 north of Santa Barbara. It is a beautiful drive, but a good section of it is a two lane curvy road. Spend a night in LA, then head out the next morning. If you're up for a long drive, shoot for Monterey and spend the night. See the sights. Then continue up Hwy 1 to SF. If you want to make it a two night, trip stop in Morrow (SP?) Bay or Cambria then up to Monterey

You can do the drive from LA to SF on 101 in one day. Way better alternative to 99 or I-5

[dag7763]

Originally Posted by Mr5150

99 would not be my choice. If by the Pacific Coast Hwy, you mean HWY 1, you will want to make it a two or three day trip. Hwy one splits off 101 north of Santa Barbara. It is a beautiful drive, but a good section of it is a two lane curvy road. Spend a night in LA, then head out the next morning. If you're up for a long drive, shoot for Monterey and spend the night. See the sights. Then continue up Hwy 1 to SF. If you want to make it a two night, trip stop in Morrow (SP?) Bay or Cambria then up to Monterey

You can do the drive from LA to SF on 101 in one day. Way better alternative to 99 or I-5

Thanks. We will just take 101 then because we don't want to be more than one day. We have limited time and we are trying to get up there for my nephews 21st birthday.


Thanks!

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by dag7763

Thanks. We will just take 101 then because we don't want to be more than one day. We have limited time and we are trying to get up there for my nephews 21st birthday.


Thanks!

OK then here is a tiny suggestion that will enhance the enjoyment of the last section of your drive. When you to get to San Jose, take the split to 280 north. It is a bit faster and actually scenic. 101 gets a bit industrial north of San Jose. 280 takes you thru some pretty countryside and deposits you in a less congested part of SF.

Have a great trip!

[Bulldogdad]

America Grafitti was filmed in various cities in the greater Bay Area.

As others suggested unless your visiting family in Modesto it really doesn't have a whole lot destination appeal.

Also I would just haul butt up the I5 at get to the Bay Area as fast as possible since it is your final destination their are LOTS of things to see and do within 1 hour of SF. That's how I would spent my time. You could spend two weeks in the Bay and not see a fraction of all the interesting place and activites.

BTW the I5 into the Bay is MUCH faster. I make the drive from just south of Sacarmento once a year to Las Vegas in 8 hours. LA to the East Bay in 5-6 hours is doable depending on the time your driving.