Ceres

Named after the Roman Goddess of Agriculture, Downtown Ceres offers proximity to several green spaces, a community center and small-town shopping. Surrounded by rural farmland to its east and a bustling city to its west, Downtown is the heartbeat of the small town of Ceres in Stanislaus County. Located in California's San Joaquin Valley, it's also a thriving agriculture hub just 6 miles from Modesto. "It's an affordable area that is smaller than Modesto but bigger than Keyes," says Jessica Barrios, Broker and owner of Barrios Realty Consultants and resident of Modesto. Primarily receiving water from wells, Ceres has dealt with a long history of contaminated water driven by cross-connection and backflow. However, the Ceres Wastewater Treatment aims to produce 15 million gallons daily, treating water drawn from the Tuolumne River and groundwater from Turlock. It is home to the new Stanislaus County Agricultural Center, which oversees ordinances related to pesticides, export of agricultural products and certification. With road names like Magnolia Street, Oasis Drive and Palm Avenue, this urban community, located near several parks, offers glimpses of nature. Neutral-colored L-shaped ranch-style homes line the maple and oak tree-shaded sidewalks, accentuated with double-car garages. Wooden fences enclose the backyards, complemented by inground pools and gazebos embracing the Californian heat. Prices range from $280,000 for homes starting at 1,000 square feet to $445,000 for renovated homes. Students may be part of the Ceres Unified School District, with several schools within walking distance of homes. These include Walter White Elementary, Argus and Endeavor High and Lucas Elementary, all rated with a C-plus, according to Niche. Middle schoolers may attend Blaker-Kinser Junior High School, which Niche ranks with a C, prioritizing college awareness, registering students for Californiacolleges.edu, and aiding students in post-secondary education success. The high school consists of Argus High and Endeavor Alternative Center, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The Ceres Community Center was created to unite neighbors, hosting classes for families of all ages and spanning two stories. Events include educational programs, Zumba, cooking classes, Loteria and annual ones like the Spring Eggstravaganza. Close to home, Ceres-Whitemore Park, near the highway and Roeding Heights Park, keep the neighborhood kids entertained with their playgrounds and picnic gazebos. A mile from the recreational center, Smyrna Community Park is one of Ceres' most visited green spaces, which is no surprise due to the George Costa Fields, where families play baseball and practice tricks at the skate park. It is also just 3 miles from Ceres River Bluff Regional Park. The downtown area is a quaint, walkable district but a shadow of what it once was, with many empty storefronts. Along 4th street, Hand Creations Flower Shop, Ceres Drug Store and Delhart's Home Furnishing keep foot traffic peddling. American Italian Bistro plates up classic Tuscan comfort foods in its cozy dining room. Other eateries include Sam's Café and Loza Kitchen & Bar, dishing out a curated menu of tapas and crepes. Just 2 miles from 4th street is Ceres Plaza Shopping Center, and 10 miles away is the Vintage Faire Mall. Residents benefit from Walmart and Save Mart Supermarkets, which is next to Planet Fitness. California 99 bisects the community and is less than 6 miles from California 132 and California 108. "It's nice because it's primarily residential, and you can get to Modesto and Turlock very quickly," Barrios says. And there are bus stops peppered throughout, operated by the StanRTA or "The S". It is also under 4 miles from the Modesto City–County Airport. Ceres Care Center is right in the community but is 8 miles from the larger Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. At Ceres-Whitemore Park, it isn't unusual to hear the velvet riffsof guitars and local singers during the Concerts in the Park, a weekly series during June and July. Then there's the Ceres Street Fair, flooding with neighbors browsing through vendors with local talent. 3 miles away, El Rematito Crows Landing Flea Market buzzes with locals during the night market. Diamond Bar Arena is 3 miles south, the site of Caddle roping and barrel racing. The Skies the Limit Hot Air Balloon Festival began in 2023, elevating residents for panoramic city views amid the clouds.