OK everyone, I'm headed to see my husband 10/10 and departing 10/14. Will fly into Fresno and stay in Turlock (this is where he is working) any suggestions on day trips for me while he is working? Any places that I can take him to dinner Saturday night & Sunday? Thanks once again for the imput. Loni

From Turlock you could take fun day trips to:

1.San Francisco - -approximately 1 1/2 hours away.
2.Sacramento/Old Sacramento http://www.oldsacramento.com/(approximately 1/1/2 hours away)
3.Napa/Sonoma wine country (about 90 miles)
4.Yosemite National Park (about 70 miles away)http://www.nps.gov/yose/
5. Sutter Creek/Murphys in the Gold Country. (about 60 miles away)http://www.ci.sutter-creek.ca.us/
http://www.amadorcounty.com/
6. Sonora/Columbia
http://www.columbiacalifornia.com/
http://www.sonoraca.com/

If you have never been to Yosemite before don't miss it. There are lots of good restaurants in Modesto, which is close to Turlock. We have enjoyed Mallards in Modesto. Here is a list for Modesto: http://restauranteur.com/ca/modesto/alpha.htm
Here is a list for Turlock: http://www.menuclub.com/californiare...ckrestaurants/

Great Motown restaurants I have eaten at several times and enjoyed thoroughly:

Dewz:
http://www.dothedewz.com/

Bacchus:

http://www.bacchusmodesto.com/

As GloriaE says consider SF, Sac, Yosemite (if Highway 120 is still open you can make a longer day of it by going across Tioga Pass and down to Mono Lake.
Also, the Columbia State Historic Park near Sonora, Angeles Camp, some wineries near Murphys, Big Trees State Park, many antique shops, restaurants along Highway 49 between Sonora and Placerville, and from Plymouth or Placerville, more of the Sierra Foothills Wine Country.

If you are considering SF that weekend, it is Fleet Week on Sat and Sunday. There will be a parade of navy ships under the Golden Gate about noon on Sat. and an air show featuring the Blue Angels each day. Good views from Pier 39. Lots of people in town that weekend and we think it's really fun too.
http://fleetweek.us/fleetweek

Hello everyone!! Just wanted to let you know that we did end up going to Yosemite--Wow-- it was worth the drive over and then we did do the tram to view the trees. $25.pp and it is worth the money! We could never have viewed all that we did in the short amount of time.
I already have an idea for the next visit...."Sierra Dinner Train" it was booked for the evening that I needed but will make reservations for the next trip out.
FYI--Sunrise Inn / Turlock very clean and affordable if you are looking for something like that. You can tell that they have a little pride in their place. Limited ammenities, but we were not looking for those. Great private park for the guests.

Loni4865, I am so glad you enjoyed Yosemite. It's such an incredibly beautiful place. It's great that you had a chance to go.