10 Best Things to Do in Oakdale, California

By VI Staff on April 5, 2020 - Updated

City of Oakdale, CA

The historic town of Oakdale, California is known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” providing visitors with a taste of what it was like in the Old West. There are many different things to do in Oakdale, ranging from the Cowboy Museum to rafting down the Stanislaus River. Take a ride aboard the Sierra Dinner Train, used as a film set for many different movies and television shows. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.

1.Oakdale Cheese & Specialties

Oakdale Cheese & Specialties loves to share their passion for making cheese. The peaceful and beautiful grounds are nestled in the more rural area of Oakdale. Visitors can meet the cheesemakers, view the cheesemaking process, and taste some of the handcrafted cheese, gourmet specialties, and wine beneath the site’s willow trees. Self-guided complimentary tours of the cheesemaking facility are offered at Oakdale Cheese & Specialties. Guests of all ages will enjoy seeing the resident llama, Mocha, as well as the other farm animals. There is also the Specialty Market and Bakery on site with lunch options, sweets, and gifts available.

10040 State Highway 120, Oakdale, CA 95361, Phone: 209-848-3139

2.Cowboy Museum

The Cowboy Museum in Oakdale, California features the smells, sounds, and sights of the area’s western heritage. Once visitors enter the museum, they will quickly notice the abundant memorabilia illustrating the American Cowboy lifestyle. The city of Oakdale is nicknamed the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” so it’s only fitting that it is home to the Cowboy Museum, which commemorates local cowgirls, cowboys, and ranchers. A number of ranching tools are on display at the Oakdale Cowboy Museum, including spurs, boots, chaps, and branding irons. Action photographs, leather saddles, and much more can be seen throughout the museum as well.

355 East F St, Oakdale, CA 95361, Phone: 209-847-7049

3.Woodward Reservoir

The Woodward Reservoir is a regional park located just a few miles to the north on Highway 20 from Oakdale. The park grounds encompass more than 3,700 acres of land, with approximately 2,900 acres of actual reservoir. Visitors will find numerous campsites and recreational activities at the Woodward Reservoir Regional Park. Park amenities include picnic tables, barbecue grills, picnic shelters, restrooms, concessions, campsites with reservations, three boat launches, and a station for fish cleaning. Recreational activities available at the Woodward Reservoir include fishing, swimming, boating, hunting for waterfowl with a permit, jet skiing, and water skiing.

14528 26 Mile Rd, Oakdale, CA, Phone: 209-847-3304

4.Sierra Railroad Dinner Train

The Sierra Railroad Dinner Train is a one-of-a-kind attraction for anyone visiting Oakdale or the surrounding Modesto region. It has been a filming location for dozens of movies, such as Back to the Future and High Noon, providing a memorable thing to do in Oakdale for both visitors and locals alike. The Sierra Railroad is North America’s third oldest railroad, making it a picturesque historical destination. Guests aboard the Sierra Railroad Dinner Train can enjoy interactive shows, American comfort food, and more. The dinner train, which started during the 1970’s, was the first of its kind in the United States.

330 S Sierra Ave, Oakdale, CA 95361, Phone: 800-866-1690

5.Bloomingcamp Ranch Bake Shop

Bloomingcamp Ranch Bake Shop offers apple pies, other fruit pies, turnovers, cookies, dumplings, bread, cakes, and more at the bakery using the recipes originally created by Joy Bloomingcamp. The ranch’s produce market sells strawberries, squash, carrots, beets, and more during the spring, with cantaloupes, plums, peaches, and many other fruits and vegetables closer to summer. The Bloomingcamp Ranch used to be a sheep farm, then one day, the owners of the ranch, Joy and Bill Bloomingcamp, started to plant walnut and almond trees. The couple knew it was important to be diverse and innovate in their farming operations.

10528 State Highway 120, Oakdale, CA 95361, Phone: 209-847-7437

6.Oakdale Museum & History Center

The Oakdale Museum and History Center is housed inside of a residence constructed back in the year 1869. The house is now a history museum, established in 1985, and operated since 2009 by the Friends of Oakdale Heritage. In the Parlor, visitors will see a wide variety of everyday items used in a bygone era, such as a pipe, knife, hat pin, and pocket watch, all items people today no longer typically carry with them. The Dining Room now serves as a repository for the businesses of Oakdale, those who operated them, and a few other surprises.

212 West F St, Oakdale, CA 95361, Phone: 209-844-5161

7.River Journey Adventures Day Tours

River Journey Adventures Day Tours has been offering family-oriented and fun kayaking, raftings, and stand up paddle boarding in the Oakdale and Knights Ferry communities along the Stanislaus River since the year 1985. River Journey Adventures also provides tube rentals for visitors and locals alike. The area’s Stanislaus River offers miles of thrilling fun for people of all ages and skill levels. River Journey Adventures Day Tours aim to provide affordable, fun day trips on the river for everyone. Guests can choose from an array of trip options, including camping packages, raft and barbecue trips, private guided rafting trips, and more.

Phone: 209-847-4671

8.Firenze Ristorante

The Firenze Ristorante, situated in the heart of the Cowboy Country, takes a modern approach with an Italian spirit, providing a Chef-driven, contemporary menu of dishes designed to be memorable. Highlights on the menu include fresh seafood, juicy steaks, and a variety of pastas, in addition to all of the celebrated classic of Italian cuisine. Guests can try regional specialities, seasonal dishes, housemade pasta, and Neapolitan-style pizza. Many menu items are served in larger portions, meant for sharing, offering the opportunity for diners to try a variety of dishes. The restaurant also boasts an extensive wine list and signature cocktails.

502 N. Yosemite Ave, Oakdale, CA 95361, Phone: 209-322-3320

9.Javi's Oakdale Mexican Restaurant

The owners of Javi’s Mexican Restaurant in Oakdale, California aim to bring customers the same amazing flavors that they grew up with through authentic Mexican cuisine Javier learned from the kitchen of his grandparents. The Oakdale location is the third Javi’s location, opened in December of 1999. The restaurant has become a favorite among locals, as well as with visitors. It’s known for its quality, authentic Mexican dishes and good place to relax and hang out with family and friends. The Sport Bar includes a big screen television with Bose surround sound. Javi’s is open daily from 11:00am until 9:00pm.

136 N. Maag Ave, Oakdale, CA 95361, Phone: 209-845-8880

10.Oakies Board and Clothing Shop

The Oakies Board and Clothing Shop was founded in 1996, seemingly against all odds. When the shop began, the question was how was a small town known as Oakdale going to be able to support the youth-driven lifestyle. The shop is still in operation today, with many people in the area with their own story about their “Oakies attire” street bike, dirt bike, surfing, wakeboarding, and skating. The Oakies Board and Clothing Shop is open Monday through Friday from 7:00am until 8:00pm, on Saturdays from 6:00am until 8:00pm, and on Sundays from 6:00am until 6:00pm.

1275 East F. St, Oakdale CA 95361, Phone: 209-848-1624