Salida, CA

John “One-Arm” Murphy came to the neighborhood in 1867 and began operating the ferry on the Stanislaus River. After a railroad track was built through the neighborhood, people began moving to homes close to the tracks to take advantage of new jobs coming to the area. Salida was named after the Spanish word for "exit," because its primary crop was wheat that was shipped across the river to San Francisco. New houses were built in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to a huge population increase in Salida.

Visit John Murphy Park to glimpse the history of its founder. The arts scene in Salida includes the Closet Gallery, where artists from around the area come to show off their latest projects and works.

Salida loves its food. This neighborhood has dozens of restaurants ranging from American-style diners to Thai fusion hotspots.

You might think you know hotdogs and burgers, but Beyond the Bunz puts your knowledge to the test. Order up a Philly cheesesteak and get a bun filled with tender meat and melted cheese. Get a twist on two classics with the macaroni-and-cheese burger. Customers know this burger joint for its giant corn dogs with crispy batter on the outside and soft, fluffy cake on the inside.

Mike’s Grillhouse takes East Coast standards and updates them for modern tastes. Try the clam chowder, then order oysters on the half shell. The menu features a paleo section with all-natural ingredients such as a 6-ounce sirloin steak served with mixed greens and steamed vegetables. This Salida staple caters, so call it to set up a dining experience for guests at your next event.

Salida has dozens of American restaurants, but for a taste of Chinese cuisine, check out Bamboo House on Broadway Street. For a family-style dining experience, order a variety of food to share, such as the honey walnut shrimp, twice-cooked green beans with beef and the Mongolian chicken. The lunch buffet brings customers from all over the Modesto area to feast on traditional dishes.

While Salida's nightlife maintains a calmer atmosphere than that of downtown Modesto, locals grab a drink at Salida Club every weekend for a dash of fun. This dive bar might not look like much on the outside, but it has the loyalty of locals who flock to it for a relaxed, familiar atmosphere.

Visit the Fire Temple Hookah Lounge 2 to recline in one of the plush chairs and sample a variety of tobacco from around the world. For local music, stop in at Nino’s Place just outside of the city.

Most residents get around Salida by car, since most stores and homes sit far apart from one another. Residents get around on the Golden State Highway, more commonly known as State Route 99, which serves as a direct shot into downtown Modesto to the south. Find free public parking in any residential neighborhood in Salida.

Skip the car and take the Modesto Area Express bus to get anywhere into the neighborhood or to downtown Modesto. Hail a cab to take you along the Golden State Highway, or pull Uber up on your phone to get from Modesto to Salida. Uber serves all of Modesto.

Walking through residential streets remains easy for residents, since drivers drive slowly through these areas. Bike to the nearest store on one of the neighborhood's designated bike lanes.

When you come to Salida, you find Salida Park at its heart. This park has everything the community needs, including a full baseball field, a playground for children and acres of greenery perfect for a picnic.

Joggers come to this park to take in the scenery along its paved areas, while dog lovers take their pets on leashes through the neighborhood. This free park doesn't host any annual events, but as the centerpiece of the growing community of Salida, you always find something to do in Salida Park.

It costs about 4 percent more to live in Salida than in Modesto, but residents of Salida pay $1,381 on average for a one-bedroom apartment.

When you travel through Salida, expect to pay about 14 percent more for gas than the national average. Residents save money by taking the bus for about $1.50.

Go out at night and pay an average of $3 or less for a bottle of beer at a local pub. Salida features some of the least expensive entertainment in the area.

While most shopping centers stick to the Modesto area, you find high-end stores such as White House Black Market and Bebe near Salida at the Vintage Faire Mall. The neighborhood doesn't have a central shopping area, but you can find most stores near the Golden State Highway. Pop into Antique Warehouse & Auction to the north of the neighborhood for a selection of goods scattered in its 12,000-square-foot building. Look for sales on antique furniture or lamps, or find vintage clothes in its consignment section. Whether you want to decorate your home or find a special trend piece for your closet, you have everything you need at this store. Families with young children love shopping at Crazy 8 at the Vintage Faire Mall. This shop carries a large selection of name-brand sleepwear, shoes and accessories. You can also find school uniforms at affordable prices. While the neighborhood doesn't have a farmers market, you'll find plenty of fresh produce at local supermarkets. For groceries, shop at M & S Corner Market, Trader Joe's, Save Mart, Costco or Target. Salida's prime location just outside of Modesto makes grocery shopping easy.