I visited these Modesto-area hotspots on a $20 budget. Where should I go next?
Time really does fly.
It’s hard to believe that a full year has passed since I kicked off The Modesto Bee’s “On A Budget” series exploring affordable fun and budget-friendly adventures around Stanislaus County.
I still remember the excitement of browsing for books and sipping tea at my very first stop — Bookish, a charming bookstore tucked into Modesto’s Roseburg Square — in April 2024.
Believe it or not, the flier I got with my purchase that day remains my go-to bookmark.
Now, a year later, I thought it’d be the perfect time to take a stroll down memory lane.
Here’s a look back at some of my favorite spots in and around Modesto that I’ve visited on a $20 budget:
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhy we did this story
Let’s face it, living in Modesto and going out can be expensive. That’s why Modesto Bee service journalism reporter Angela Rodriguez is bringing you along on her budget-friendly adventures. Born and raised in the Central Valley, Angela wants to help her fellow residents navigate life in the region (and have fun) without breaking the bank.
Bookish
Bookish will always hold a special place in my heart as the first stop in The Bee’s On a Budget series.
The shop at 811 W. Roseburg Ave. in Modesto offers a maze of bookshelves filled with a variety of books, from memoirs and mysteries to fantasy and romance. New books typically range from $12 to $40, but I stuck to browsing used titles, which start at just $2.
During my visit, I picked up a preowned copy of mystery novel “The Drowning Girls” by Paula Treick DeBoard for $12.
The shop also sells snacks, including chips, cookies and canned teas, along with trinkets such as bookmarks, stickers and journals.
I grabbed a blueberry jasmine tea for $2.50 and a typewriter sticker for $4.
After sales tax, my total came out to $20.14.
Mocha Magic Cafe and Bake Shop
After reading about my visit to Bookish, Bee reader Kimberly Gilbert suggested I check out Mocha Magic Cafe and Bake Shop at 920 16th St. in Modesto.
The cafe has become one of my go-to spots whenever I’m in the area. Since my first visit, I’ve returned with my aunt, mom and sisters.
Mocha Magic Cafe and Bake Shop offers plenty of affordable menu options, including coffee drinks for less than $7, smoothies around $6 and pastries for about $5.
Heartier items including sandwiches, soups and bagels cost just under $12 apiece.
When I visited, I ordered a Dirty Chai drink for $5.25, an Earl Grey Lavender cupcake for $2.50 and a Californian sandwich with turkey, provolone, avocado, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and lettuce for $10.
With taxes and fees, my total came to $19.40.
Modesto Farmers Market
In July, I headed to the Modesto Certified Farmers Market for an affordable morning of local shopping.
The farmers market runs Thursday and Saturday mornings along 16th Street between H and I streets, right next to Stanislaus County Library.
Vendors at the market offered everything from handcrafted goods and organic produce to fruity drinks and fresh-cut flowers. They included BunBao, Burch Bees and Dale’s Gourmet Kettle Popcorn.
During my visit, I picked up a pastry from Rosa’s Portuguese and European Bakery for $5, a premade bouquet from Kelley Flower Farm for $8 and organic fruit from J&J Ramos Farms for $5.75.
Though I wished I could have splurged on more flowers or a bigger bag of fruit, I walked away with a little of everything for just $18.75.
Food Fix Butcher and Baker
For September’s On A Budget entry, Bee reader Susan Marshall recommended I go to Modesto’s Food Fix Butcher and Baker, 938 11th St. in Modesto.
Food Fix Butcher and Baker’s menu features signature sandwiches, which cost $16 to $23. They’re made with meats including cured pork and grilled chicken and served on fresh-baked rolls with scratch-made sauces.
Wagyu burgers are available for less than $22, with drink prices ranging from $2 to $4. Side dishes range from $4 for french fries to $10 for a six-ounce bowl of macaroni and cheese.
On my visit, I got a sandwich and a side dish for $20.65.
Ever since I first stopped by Food Fix Butcher and Baker, it’s become a favorite dinner spot thanks to its great food and budget-friendly prices.
Palo Santo Cafe
In November, Bee reader Mark Meiggs suggested I visit Palo Santo Cafe at 6333 Oakdale Road, Suite I, in Riverbank.
He called it a “great little (brunch) restaurant.”
The contemporary Mexican coffee shop is known for its rotating selection of housemade pastries and handcrafted specialty coffee drinks.
Along with tea, lemonade and iced and hot coffee drinks, which are priced between $3.95 and $7.20, the brunch menu offers pastries, soups, salads and classic Mexican dishes ranging from $4 to $16.
During my visit, I got a cup of sopa de fideo for $7 and three chicken tinga tostadas for $13.
After taxes, fees and a tip, my total came to roughly $25.
Where should I go next?
Got ideas for where I should go next in or around Modesto? I’m now exploring the area on a $25 budget.
Send your suggestions to arodriguez@modbee.com or fill out the form below.
Can’t see the form? Go to tinyurl.com/3euwab47.
