The Best Western Palm Court Inn in Modesto sits in a solid spot for exploring the Central Valley and making day trips toward the Sierra Nevada. You’re close enough to Yosemite National Park that you could spend a full day hiking and be back at the hotel by evening, which is convenient if you want to break up a longer drive with your dog or make it your base for a few days of exploring. The hotel accepts dogs and has standard motel-style rooms where you can settle in after time outdoors.

The area around Modesto gives you plenty to do beyond just Yosemite. The Blue Diamond Almonds facility offers tours if you’re curious about how those nuts get processed, and the Gallo Winery is nearby for anyone in your group interested in wine tasting. You could easily spend a morning at the winery, then head back to let your dog rest before heading out on another adventure.

Rooms are clean and functional—this is a Best Western, so you know what to expect in terms of layout and amenities. After a day of hiking around Yosemite’s trails or walking around downtown Modesto, it’s a straightforward place to crash without any surprises. The staff seems used to handling guests with dogs and doesn’t make a fuss about it.

The location works well if you’re driving through California and want to break up the trip, or if you’re planning a longer stay to explore both the foothill areas and the agricultural side of the region. It’s the kind of place where you can get a decent night’s sleep and move on in the morning, or use it as your base for exploring multiple areas in a few days. Parking is easy, which matters when you’ve got a dog and gear to manage.