This arch made me experience a new emotion that Ive never experienced before. It was like I wanted to both clap and sob at the same time. My friend started crying, and we looked at eachother with teary eyes and repeated the words water wealth contentment health before wrapping eachother into a warm loving arms.

The Modesto Arch is one of those attractions that you wouldn't know was an attraction unless someone told you. It's just a metal arch with the town slogan over a road, not significantly different than the welcome signs for other small towns, although this one was constructed over 100 years ago (not that it was any great feat then). It's hard to rate a structure you look at for a few seconds. I'm marking this one down because there's really no good vantage point from which to view it, and because it's located near a bus stop where there are a lot of vagrants and addicts loitering. As with other cities in California, Modesto was probably a lot nicer before the government let crime, drugs and vagrancy get out of control.

Wow. The Modesto Arch. Eiffel Tower, Tower Bridge, Empire State Building and The Modesto Arch. Go see it NOW before the crowds stop you getting near.

Wow. A spectacular entry way one of the most beautiful cities in the world, this arch is often overlooked as tourists flock to the Blue Diamond Almond store and skip this specular construction of post modernist Modesto engineering. It really made my two week vacation come alive as I could only imagine the challenges and triumphs when constructing this beautiful beacon.

True americana! Living history. Semi’s passing . McDonald’s and Taco Bell. Bus station on the other corner with attendant bus station accessories: Not family friendly.Time capsule “buried nearby” to be opened in 2062