Modesto, Home of American Graffiti

American Graffiti was born here.
“Where were you in ’62?” asked a
movie poster in 1974. It was a simple
question that has tugged on our culture
ever since. Everything from Grease,
Happy Days and the fond feeling of retro-
America points back to the George Lucas
movie about the end of high-school age in
Modesto. This cinematic look at Modesto
was fun, novelty, romance, and reality all
rolled into one with some of the best rock
and roll music ever written. The spirit
of American Graffiti still endures today.
The downtown Modesto streets of 10th
and 11th Street were the location and the
origin of the stories and people of the
real historic cruising that inspired Lucas’
film.
Modesto is not all just about the
Graffiti lifestyle. We are a blend of now
and then, big and small, and busy yet
relaxed. Are we a slice of
middle America here in the
center of California? Are
we just a city that is “on
the way to everywhere”?
Is Modesto a travel and
tourism destination? The
answer is a rockin’ and
rollin’ YES to all questions.
That is what makes Modesto
special. We are a fun place to
live for young professionals
with MBAs on the way to
global business success and
home to families that want that
neighborhood feeling. A place
that is affordable for a young
homeowner yet cultured enough
for the world travelling executive.
These things all have one thing
in common; desire for a sense of
home and belonging. Modesto,
USA is that place. As Dan Costa
explained in his May ModestoView
interview, Modesto is the “classic
All-American city where he has
started and run all of his 8 successful
companies”. There is opportunity for
so many in Modesto.
People came from all over the world
for the Amgen Tour of California, and
they will continue to come here for our
rich music, dining, and cultural offerings.
Many will spend the night on their way to
Yosemite or for a quick business meeting
with leading global companies, but many
will learn to love Modesto and decide
to stay, and relocate their families or
business here. We welcome all new-found
Modesto fans.
This month, the world will be visiting
Modesto, USA to experience Graffiti
Summer and the fun and excitement that
a trip down memory lane can bring. So
get your poodle skirt, your bowling shirt,
put some premium gas in your 57 Chevy
and enjoy the Modestocana hospitality of
Modesto, USA.