Welcome to Destination Modesto

10528 Highway 120, Oakdale, 847-1412 See how homemade cider is processed! Cider, apples, applesauce, jams, jellies and preserves, as well as dried fruit and nuts are available in the gift shop. Delicious old-fashioned apple pies, tarts and apple dumplings are available fresh from the kitchen. The ranch features a gift shop, picnic area and duck pond. Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Open Daily (July - December 23)

9001 N. Lander Avenue, Hilmar, 667-6076 This locally-owned and operated state-of-the-art company manufactures a wide variety of cheeses. Samples are available in the gift shop, where the manufacturing process can be observed through large viewing windows. Gift shop hours: Mon. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

120 South Sierra Avenue, Oakdale, 848-8126 The Hershey Factory, built in 1965, is one of 16 Hershey plants and is the only Hershey factory in the United States that gives public tours of the actual production facilities. Free, guided 30 minute walking tours of the factory are available Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - FREE candy surprise after each tour! Reservations are required for groups. (No tours on weekends or major holidays.) The new Hershey Visitor Center was built in 1990, and offers a video, gift shop and fresh-baked cookies. Visitor Center hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed weekends and major holidays, except for special events. Call for dates.

10040 Highway 120, Oakdale, 848-3139 The cheese factory and European bakery is owned and operated by Walter and Lenneke Bulk, from the Netherlands. They bring a century of family tradition to their production of Gouda cheese. Visitors view cheesemaking through windows and on video, and see the aging room where cheese ripens for at least two months. Samples are available. Open daily, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Group reservations are requested.)

1402 I Street, Modesto, 529-3369 Housed in the McHenry Museum (downstairs), the gallery supports the visual arts in Modesto by offering paintings, sculpture, graphics and selected crafts of local artists. Individual works are available for sale or rent. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is free

15th & I Streets, Modesto, 577-5344 Built in 1883 by Robert McHenry, a prominent local rancher/banker, McHenry Mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a fine example of Victorian Italiante style of architecture. In 1923, it was converted into apartments and remained as such until 1976 when the Julio R. Gallo Foundation purchased it and donated it to the City of Modesto for restoration and community use. The Mansion is decorated and furnished with antiques appropriate to the Mansion's 1883-1896. Today the Mansion is one of Modesto’s favorite tourist sites, one which compels visitors to experience the area as it existed a century ago. Mansion and gift shop hours; Tues. - Thurs. & Sun., 1-4 p.m./Fri - Noon-3 p.m. Admission is free - donations are always appreciated.

1100 Stoddard Avenue, Modesto, 575-6169 Learn about the animals and plants that live in California’s unique Central Valley by seeing the museum’s valley habitat dioramas. Visit the Great Animal Hall with its mammal specimens from all over the earth. For children, the Discovery Room offers hands-on activities, live animals and computer games. For the very young, there is a Your Backyard exhibit, where they can explore what critters might be in their backyards. In addition, the museum offers changing exhibits dealing with the wonders and fragilty of our natural world. Hours: Tues. - Fri. Noon - 4:30 p.m. / Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. First Sun. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., $1 per individual, $3 for family, 6 years and under free.

Santa Fe Dr. west of Buhach Road, Atwater, 723-2178 The aircraft and memorabilia displayed at this museum are as much a part of America’s heritage as Independence Hall and the Battlefield at Gettysburg. The United States Air Force’s Heritage Program began in order to preserve for future generations the few remaining examples of these aircraft. Castle Air Museum continues to add to its collection of historic aircraft. This is an experience visitors of all ages can share - an inspiring reminder of how fragile freedom is and how courageous men and women fought when it has been threatened. Open daily, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. A small admission fee is charged.

Classic music lovers will enjoy the Modesto Symphony, which offers a season of nine concerts, (Sept. - May) and the Townsend Opera Players, which present several full opera productions, a Broadway musical classic, the Messiah, a New Year’s Eve concert and a "Great Opera Choruses" production each year.