Modesto

City and administrative headquarters of Stanislaus County, north-central California, USA; population (2000) 188,900. It is situated on the Tuolumne River, in the north San Joaquin Valley, 35 km/22 mi south-southeast of Stockton, and to the southeast of San Francisco. Founded by the Central Pacific Railroad in 1870, Modesto developed as a shipping and trade centre for an irrigated region producing peaches, apricots, almonds, melons, beans, peas, and livestock. Gallo, America's largest winery, is based in the city. Other industries include fruit and vegetable canning and freezing and the manufacture of bottles, chemicals, electrical equipment, and wood and paper products. It is home to Modesto Junior College (1921).