Modesto, CA, United States

Capital City

Reality check: Modesto may tout itself as a "Tree City USA," but with a population over 218,000 and an air quality rating of just 23 out of 100, this sprawling Central Valley hub is hardly a bucolic paradise. The surrounding farmland may be fertile, but the bureaucracy is a persistent headache - just ask the Chinese laundrymen who challenged the city's first zoning ordinance in the 1880s. And while the winters are mild, summer temperatures routinely exceed 100°F, posing health risks for the less hardy. For those who can tolerate the climate and red tape, Modesto offers small-town charm and access to the great outdoors, but this city is best suited for the resilient and heat-tolerant.