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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of the Modesto Area, California
Wood Colony Lavender west of Modesto peaks in June and July, and the 1883 McHenry Mansion downtown offers free guided tours three days a week.
3 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Modesto sits in the middle of the Northern San Joaquin Valley, where the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers run through almond orchards, walnut groves and dairy land. Wood Colony, on the city's west side, is one of its oldest farming districts; the lavender farm there points out that California's oldest and largest walnut tree stands just down the road. Downtown has a restored Victorian mansion and a car-culture streak that peaks every June, while Turlock, Oakdale and Ripon are each a short drive down Highway 99 or out Highway 108.
Wood Colony Lavender planted about 700 plants on a former sheep pasture in 2023 and grows them without chemicals, pulling weeds by hand. Peak bloom is June through July. Visits are by reservation only, Friday through Sunday from 10 to 4 in season, so book a time before you plan the rest of the day. Early summer is hot here, often in the 90s by afternoon, which makes a morning in the museums and an afternoon slot in the field a sensible split.
The lavender farms
- Wood Colony LavenderLavender farm · Modesto
June through July
Ticketed visits Friday–Sunday 10–4 in season ($10, under 10 free, two-hour window); U-pick bundles $20; private visits and photo sessions by booking.
Best time to visit
February belongs to the almonds: Visit Modesto's self-guided Almond Blossom Cruise usually hits peak bloom in late February, with approved orchard walks at a few farms along the route. Spring and fall weekends are the mild seasons for river parks like Caswell Memorial State Park. Wood Colony Lavender says its bloom peaks June through July, and the same stretch brings Graffiti Summer, which in 2026 ran June 10–14 with a downtown classic-car night, the American Graffiti Parade and a car show at Modesto Junior College. July and August are the hottest months, with valley afternoons often near or above 100 degrees, so plan outdoor time early. In fall and winter, the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge fills with geese and sandhill cranes, and Oakdale's Cowboy Museum holds its free Cowboy Christmas fair in late November.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- McHenry Mansion🏛️ Historic site · Modesto · about 6 mi, 15 min drive
A restored 1883 Victorian home downtown, shown on 45-minute docent-led tours of the first and second floors; the 3:30 tour covers the first floor only. The visitor center next door plays a short film on the house's history.
Tours Friday, Sunday and Monday, every half hour from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.; no reservations needed
free (donations welcome)
- Great Valley Museum🏛️ Museum · Modesto · about 4 mi, 10 min drive
A natural history museum on Modesto Junior College's West Campus with exhibits on Central California habitats and a planetarium with its own shows (not recommended under age 5).
Wednesday–Saturday 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; some Friday Science Nights 7–10 p.m.
Museum $8 adults, $5 youth, seniors 55+ and military; planetarium tickets sold separately
- Caswell Memorial State Park🌳 State park · Ripon · about 12 mi, 20 min drive
One of the few riparian valley oak woodlands left in California, along the Stanislaus River at the south end of Austin Road, with hiking trails, river beaches and hawks overhead. Parts of the park have been closed by flood damage, so check conditions first.
Open year-round, 8 a.m. to sunset
$10 per vehicle ($12 on peak weekends and holidays)
- San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge🌲 Preserve · Modesto · about 9 mi, 20 min drive
Wetlands where the Tuolumne, Stanislaus and San Joaquin rivers meet, set aside for wintering Aleutian cackling geese. The 4-mile Pelican Nature Trail is open daily; the Beckwith viewing platform opens in the cool months, when geese and sandhill cranes gather.
Pelican Nature Trail from about a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset; Beckwith Wildlife Observation Area seasonal (fall and winter)
- Laird Park🏞️ Park · Modesto · about 13 mi, 25 min drive
A Stanislaus County park on the San Joaquin River off West Grayson Road, with shaded picnic tables, barbecue pits and river access for fishing. Water levels change, so any swimming is at your own risk.
Day use daily 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
- The Cowboy Museum🏛️ Museum · Oakdale · about 19 mi, 30 min drive
Oakdale's hands-on museum of rodeo and ranch life: trophy saddles, buckles and chaps in the Rodeo Gallery, and branding irons and barbed wire in the old Southern Pacific depot waiting room, original benches and all.
Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Sunday
- Carnegie Arts Center🏛️ Museum · Turlock · about 22 mi, 30 min drive
Turlock's art center on North Broadway, with changing exhibitions a few blocks from downtown. Pair it with lunch at Old Time Pastries across town.
Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Modesto Reservoir🏞️ Park · Waterford · about 26 mi, 35 min drive
A county recreation area off Highway 132 with about 2,800 acres of water and 3,200 acres of shoreland for boating, kayaking, fishing, swimming and camping. Boats need a mussel inspection by appointment, and the county currently lists no pets.
Day use 6 a.m.–10 p.m.; boat ramp 6 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
$20 per vehicle ($15 county residents)
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Old Time PastriesBakery · Turlock
A family bakery and deli on Geer Road since 1981, open daily, with sandwiches on house-baked bread, soups, pastries and an espresso bar.
- McManis Family VineyardsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Ripon
A Ripon family winery growing its own grapes for Cabernet, Petite Sirah, Viognier and more; check their website for where to buy.
- Wente VineyardsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Livermore
Founded in 1883 in the Livermore Valley, about an hour west, with seated tastings, cave tours, a grill and a summer concert series.
- Tenuta VineyardsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Livermore
A Livermore tasting room open daily that welcomes kids and dogs and holds a fall grape stomp.
- Bent Creek WineryWinery or vineyard (21+) · Livermore
Small-lot reds, whites and ports from Livermore Valley grapes, poured outdoors Friday through Sunday by reservation.
A one-day plan
- 9:30 AMGreat Valley Museum
Start a Friday at the natural history exhibits on Modesto Junior College's West Campus; allow 45 minutes, more if you add a planetarium show.
- 10:45 AMCarnegie Arts Center · about 30 min drive
About 30 minutes south on Highway 99 to Turlock; spend 45 minutes with the current exhibitions.
- 11:45 AMOld Time Pastries · about 5 min drive
Early lunch from the deli, sandwiches on fresh bread and a soup or salad, plus pastries for later; about 45 minutes.
- 1:00 PMMcHenry Mansion · about 30 min drive
Back north about 30 minutes to downtown Modesto for a free 45-minute house tour (Friday, Sunday or Monday).
- 2:00 PMWood Colony Lavender · about 15 min drive
About 15 minutes west; book the 2 p.m. slot ahead. Walk the rows and pick a bundle until the 4 p.m. close. In peak bloom (June–July) bring a hat; the farm is outdoors.
- 4:20 PMCaswell Memorial State Park · about 20 min drive
About 20 minutes north to the Stanislaus River for an easy walk under valley oaks as the heat breaks; the park is open until sunset.
Tips
- Wood Colony Lavender is reservation-only, with no walk-ins; tickets are non-refundable but can be moved with 48 hours' notice, and pets are not allowed.
- Plan a Friday if you want the McHenry Mansion tour, the Great Valley Museum and the lavender farm on the same day; each has limited days.
- Summer afternoons often run 90 to 100-plus degrees; carry water and put the shade-free field visit on your schedule with that in mind.
- Caswell Memorial State Park allows leashed dogs in the park but not on trails, beaches or in the river; bring insect repellent for mosquitoes.
- During almond bloom, stay on paved roads; Visit Modesto asks drivers not to walk orchards from the roadside or pick blossoms.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When does the lavender bloom near Modesto?
Wood Colony Lavender says its peak bloom is June through July.
Do I need a reservation at Wood Colony Lavender?
Yes. Visits are booked ahead on their website for a two-hour window; $10 per person, children under 10 free, and U-pick bundles are $20.
Is the McHenry Mansion free?
Yes. Guided tours are free and run Friday, Sunday and Monday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., with no reservation needed.
Where can I see almond blossoms around Modesto?
Visit Modesto publishes a free, self-guided Almond Blossom Cruise map; peak bloom is usually in late February.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
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