Located near the tip of the Northern San Joaquin Valley, Modesto is within a two-hour drive of the Sierra Nevada, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park and the Pacific Ocean. This prime location offers residents a wide variety of activities that range from snow skiing, boating, professional athletic events to hiking.

The Modesto area experiences a full spectrum of the seasons, with temperatures ranging from an average low of 38F in the winter, the average high ranges from the low to mid 80's during the spring and fall, to an average high in the 90's during the summer months.
The Modesto area has 38 playgrounds, 53 parks, and a number of municipal golf courses and private clubs. Modesto is host to many community and cultural events throughout the year including "Concerts in the Park," International Festivals as well as being home to a minor league affiliate of the Oakland A's, the Modesto A's baseball club.
Modesto is one of the most affordable cities in Northern California. The median cost of a home in Modesto is $171,177 as of May 2001. Modesto presently has a healthy vacancy rate of housing. The average rent for one and two bedroom apartment and duplexes range from $700 to $1,100 per month. Three bedroom, two bath home rentals range from $895 to $1,395 per month.