Oakdale
Things to do · 209
Eleven minutes east of Modesto on the Stanislaus River — rodeo town, cowboy museum, and one of the best small-town Saturdays in the 209.
Oakdale calls itself the Cowboy Capital of the World, and for once the nickname earns it. The Oakdale Cowboy Museum is real, the rodeo is real, and the working-ranch culture is not a marketing line — it's the local economy.
Downtown Oakdale runs the length of F Street: a chocolate factory (Oakdale Cheese is the more famous one, just outside town), a couple of solid coffee spots, the Hershey-era candy history, and a small but legit lineup of restaurants that the rodeo crowd and the wine-tasting crowd both end up at.
The Stanislaus River runs through it — rafting, fishing, and the historic Knights Ferry crossing are 20 minutes east. Oakdale is the 209 town you visit for a Saturday and remember as nicer than you expected.
Local favorites
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Experiences in Oakdale
Knights Ferry Recreation Area offers South Parking Lot facilities in Knights Ferry, California.
Bamboo Garden is a restaurant located in Oakdale, California.
Knights Ferry Covered Bridge Park is a public park in Knights Ferry, California featuring the historic covered bridge and recreational facilities.
Knights Ferry Recreation Area is a park and tourist attraction located in Knights Ferry, California.
Dying Breed Brewing is a brewery located in Oakdale, California.
Specialty market featuring house-made cheese, sandwiches & baked goods in a snug space with a patio.
Shively's Bar and Grill is a restaurant located in Oakdale, California, serving the Central Valley community.
Cahoots Corner Cafe is a restaurant located in Oakdale, California.
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