Modesto, California, not-so-modestly claims to offer its residents “water, wealth, contentment, and health.” A man in 1911 entered that slogan into a contest and won a whopping $3 in prize money. Now the catchy phrase is immortalized on the Modesto Arch downtown.
This official slogan makes no promises about finding a hot date in the city, but with all that money, water, and physical fitness, it shouldn’t be too hard, right? Over 212,000 people live in Modesto, and this historic railroad town is full of social opportunities.
We’ve come up with nine ways to meet singles in Modesto to help you find contentment and share in a wealth of great experiences. You can use the following resources to find romance in the Central Valley and beyond.
Modesto Dating Sites
Online dating offers an unparalleled dating experience full of options and opportunities. You have the power to direct the course of your own love life and reach out to date prospects who meet your standards. We highly recommend the following dating sites for singles seeking a specific type of date or relationship.
Best Singles Site
Match is overall the best dating site for singles of all ages and backgrounds. Its premium matching and communication tools facilitate deep connections based on personal compatibility. Since 1995, Match has honed its algorithms to helps singles find the person they’re looking for more quickly and efficiently. As a result, it has earned a stellar reputation in 25 countries around the world.
- Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
- Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
- Our Experts Say: Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review. Our Review »
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Over 50 & Senior Sites
Once you reach a certain age, dating becomes a significant challenge. The average dating site will have plenty of singles in their 20s and 30s, but scant few in their 50s, 60s, 70s, or 80s. OurTime isn’t the average dating site, though. This senior-friendly platform caters to a more mature dating crowd and encourages connections between people who share similar life experiences and relationship goals.
- Relationships: Dates and Relationships
- Match System: Search by profiles by zip and more
- Our Experts Say: OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout. Our Review »
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For Black Men & Women Only
The African-American community is the largest minority in Modesto, but they still only represent about 4.2% of the overall population. If you want to meet a black or biracial date, you’ll have limited options in town. However, BlackPeopleMeet can widen your horizons and introduce you to tens of thousands of African-American singles in the U.S.
- Relationships: Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates
- Match System: Search by location, age, more
- Our Experts Say: BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month. Our Review »
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Hookup & Sex Site
Casual daters need not waste time on relationship-oriented dating sites. They can use Adult Friend Finder to get straight down to business and engage in sexually charged conversations online. The hookup app allows singles and swingers to follow their passions on a safe and discreet forum.
- Relationships: Hookups Only
- Match System: Search by location, interest, more
- Our Experts Say: Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about finding hookups and casual encounters. No adult site has a larger or more active user base of those seeking discreet fun. Our Review »
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Popular Dating Apps
Innovative technology and a little imagination can shape the future in fundamental ways. Modesto resident and world-famous filmmaker George Lucas changed how we see movies with a galactic saga called “Star Wars.” Decades later, dating apps changed how singles meet one another with the invention of swiping tools. Today, millions of people use their phones to reach out to dates in their neighborhoods or in another city far, far away.
Match.com
- Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
- Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
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About the App:
Available via the App Store and Google Play, Match is a fantastic app for dates and relationships. With a user base of 30 million singles, Match is where you’ll have a high chance of success. It’s free to download, create a profile, search for date prospects, and receive compatible matches based on personalized preferences. Free members can also chat with select members and send unlimited likes.
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eharmony
- Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
- Match System: Get daily match suggestions
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About the App:
Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It’s absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
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OurTime.com
- Relationships: Dating and Relationships
- Match System: Search by age as well as zip, gender, more
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About the App:
Made just for single seniors, OurTime is one of the most well-known niche dating apps. It’s a fun and straightforward app with simple swiping features. Once two people swipe right on each other, they can communicate. For more match options, visit the ConnectMe and I’m Interested pages.
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Modesto Singles Bars
If the online dating scene isn’t working for you, you may want to check out the bar scene. Modesto has many popular watering holes, particularly in the downtown area from Washington Street to Burney Street. The casual atmosphere of a bar or brewery is ideal for scoping out potential dates and engaging in an intimate conversation over a couple drinks. Singles can head to DoMo any time they want to cut loose and meet friendly people over the age of 21.
Michael's Pizza Bar & Grill
I'm a fan of pretty much any place with pizza in the name, but Michael's Pizza Bar & Grill goes above and beyond the average pizzeria with its full bar and authentic menu. Michael Calder founded this casual Italian joint in Modesto in 2012 and brought over 30 years' of culinary experience to the table. Today, Michael's Pizza Bar & Grill whips up authentic pies piled high with the freshest toppings available. The staff's passion for serving good food may be a little cheesy (pun intended), but that enthusiasm is infectious and creates a cozy, family-friendly atmosphere.
Camp 4 Wine Café
The Camp 4 Wine Café on 10th Street has attracted an upscale crowd with its extensive wine list and fancy cheese menu. The wine bar is open for lunch Monday through Saturday and for dinner seven nights a week. You can stop by for a light salad or a gourmet panini made to order, and the expert bartenders can recommend a glass of wine to pair perfectly with your meal. The kitchen also churns out delish sampler plates that are big enough to share with someone at the bar. Singles can sit back at the Camp 4 Wine Café and enjoy an intimate space where conversation flows freely.
Twin Rivers Saloon
The Twin Rivers Saloon features a full indoor bar and a large outdoor patio to entertain people from all walks of life. You can sidle up to the bar and order a cold one along with a juicy burger, spicy nachos, or other chow. On Tuesdays, the bar excites its patrons with a Cook Your Own Steak Night at the firewood BBQ pit. The bar offers camp beans, toasted garlic bread, and a green salad with homemade dressing to go along with steaks hot off the grill. Another popular event at the Twin Rivers Saloon is all-you-can-eat clam chowder night every Friday.
Dewz Restaurant
In the mood for fine dining? Then Dewz Restaurant is the place for you. This high-end restaurant prides itself on bringing Modesto residents a world-class dining experience. Since 1997, the family-owned establishment has cultivated a sophisticated atmosphere where diners enjoy classic dishes with a contemporary twist. The Dewz wine bar offers a place where singles over 21 can relax and savor the many unforgettable flavors served here.
Redwood Café
Established in 2012, the Redwood Café is a modern bar and restaurant known for its simple and light American cuisine. The bar has a casually elegant feel to it, so it can accommodate all occasions. The ivy-covered patio is a lovely spot for daters to get lost in conversation, and the daily happy hours offer a chance to mingle in a unique social setting. Whether you're there for a wine tasting or Sunday brunch, you'll enjoy the impeccable service and original dishes at the Redwood Café.
P. Wexford's Pub
Finally, we're rounding off our list of the best bars in Modesto with a good old-fashioned British pub called P. Wexford's. This beloved establishment serves traditional pub fare and affordable drinks late into the night. Patrons love the bar's rotating tap, live music shows, and convivial spirit. The menu boasts having the best fish and chips in town, so stop on by and see for yourself what makes P. Wexford's so special.
Modesto Speed Dating
In 2017, a pastor named Robert Richardson opened the Within Reach speed dating café in a strip mall on Lakewood Avenue. Today, this is the go-to speed dating service in Modesto. The space includes a few tables, an electric fireplace, and a beverage bar where only non-alcoholic drinks are served. The idea is to create a wholesome environment where singles can feel comfortable meeting one another on mini-dates, which last anywhere from five to eight minutes depending on the evening’s turnout.
Modesto Singles Events
Singles have to go to opportunity-rich environments if they want to land a date. When you walk into a party, and everyone is already paired off, your chances of making a romantic connection are slim. However, attending a singles event means surrounding yourself with singles and dramatically increasing your odds of finding romance. Modesto’s Meetup page has many options for singles in search of fellowship, so click the link below to find a group that suits your needs.
Modesto Singles Clubs
You can listen to the soundtrack from “American Graffiti” to get a sense of what it was like to grow up in Modesto in the 1950s. That vibrant, rock’n’roll culture is still alive and well, particularly in the city’s nightclubs. You can dance your way into someone’s heart at the local clubs and dance halls in Modesto. Check out Yelp’s reviews of local dance clubs to find a popular place to bust a move.
Modesto Chat Rooms
Chat rooms may seem old-school, but they’ve been around so long because they successfully bring people together and facilitate conversations. These forums allow singles to stay within their comfort zones while meeting new people. You can maintain your privacy by chatting under a username and find pen pals who are interested in what you have to say.
Modesto Personals
If you’re tired of match algorithms telling you who you should like, you may want to swap your online dating account for a dating personals account. A dating personals site doesn’t use fancy match systems or compatibility ratings to introduce people online — it lets the users take care of that. These platforms offer a dating free-for-all where you can search for local dates and send messages without interference.
Attend a Community Festival
In 1973, “American Graffiti” put Modesto on the map and turned it into a popular tourist destination. Today, the Mo still maintains a cultural scene that celebrates classic movies, cars, and music.
Every June, the city pays homage to “American Graffiti” with the Graffiti Summer, an extravagant event that includes streetcar parades, concerts, and film screenings. Singles can don a poodle skirt or a letterman jacket and take to the streets to meet tons of people. The 1950s-style showcase can help you get out of your shell and find someone to go steady with you.
The monthly Art Walk in DoMo is another great opportunity to enjoy a unique experience in the community. Every third Thursday, local art galleries open their doors and invite artists to showcase their works and talents while musicians and food vendors entertain people on the street.
From relay races to music festivals, Modesto hosts many events throughout the year where singles can mingle and have fun.
Find a Dating Lifeline in the 209
Maybe Modesto’s new slogan should be “water, money, find your honey” because this city supports a thriving dating scene in Northern California. Whether you’re strolling through the quaint plazas or dancing it up at the club, you can have fun exploring romantic opportunities throughout the city.
We hope our list of online and offline resources has given you a few good ideas for meeting new people and shaking up your love life. Just remember, attitude is everything, and you need to have a positive mindset to make something positive happen. As George Lucas would say, “Do or do not — there is no try!”
