The Best Hotels in Oakdale, California

It’s hard to say which is quicker: the walk from Best Western Plus to the Oakdale Rodeo Grounds, or the time it takes for a bull to buck off an amateur rider. After an afternoon spent watching the rough and rugged rodeo, you can opt for a softer, more serene scene canoodling in the jacuzzi or by the fireplace in your king suite. Feeling a bit saddle-sore yourself after the drive in? Indulge in a muscle-melting in-room massage at this Oakdale hotel.

You came to California for the sun, and you’ll be hard-pushed to find more sunnily colored rooms than at this branch of the staple roadside chain. The feature walls splashed in neon yellow with bedspreads and curtains to match are striking – but even brighter and more inviting is the generously sized outdoor pool at this hotel in Oakdale, where you’ll undoubtedly want to spend some down time between excursions to vineyards, beaches and national parks.

Hikers and out-of-state visitors have good reason to stay in Oakdale for Yosemite trips, but SpringHill Suites in nearby Modesto caters to the outdoor crowd who prefer to fish, birdwatch and take it slow. The San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge is only 30 minutes away from your suite’s dry bar – just enough time for that fresh cup of coffee to kick in. Return for one last relaxing moment by the firepit under the stars.

Day trips to Sacramento are easy-peasy when you spend your nights at Holiday Inn Express. This Manteca hotel near to Oakdale is a cool hour away from a Sacramento Kings basketball game at the Golden 1 Center. Before you head up for tip-off, enjoy a little Caribbean fusion at the Mamas and the Tapas Cafe in the lobby. Watch a buzzer beater and rock it back to your suite in time to catch the highlights on TV.

In the habit of bringing your running shoes with you when you travel? You’ll have plenty of opportunity to put them to use when staying at this down-to-earth Manteca pad. Woodward Community Park, one street over, has ample room to run, as does Big League Dream sports park a few minutes away – or you could take the easy route and grab a quick run in the fitness center downstairs.

If a two-hour drive to the Napa Valley vineyards feels too much of a stretch, don’t panic: you can have a grape escape at La Quinta Inn and Suites instead. Start off by uncorking any bottled-up stress with a plunge in the hot tub and a steam in the sauna, then ask the concierge to ready a cab to McManis Family Vineyards, Tapped Apple Cider or one of the other half-dozen wineries on the outskirts of town.

There’s a warm home-baked cookie waiting for you at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Not much of a sweet tooth? After you check in to your king suite at this hotel near Oakdale, complete with well-equipped kitchenette, head out to shop for (and sample) locally produced savory snacks at the many farm stands in town. Explore the tree-lined streets around Modesto Centre Plaza or find your way to the Tuolumne River Bike Trail if you need a little solo time in the sunshine.

Taking a road trip west to San Fran or the Pacific Coast? A cross-country stop at this hotel in Oakdale will serve your crew well. Connecting rooms with work desks make it easy to ace those emails or get ahead on booking your coastal bolt hole. The blackout curtains, fitness center and in-room coffee maker will come in useful if you happen to knock back one too many beers at the nearby Grains of Virtue Brewing Company.