Denair to Westerly train

Denair is a small town between Modesto and Merced on the Amtrak San Joaquins route. Many of the restaurants, shops, and amenities are in the neighboring town of Turlock, and you won't find chain restaurants in this quiet, friendly community. Instead, you can find local favorites like Riveras Crazy Snacks, Denair Donuts, and the El Jidalguense taco truck when hunger strikes.

Plus, since you're in the agricultural embrace of central California, there is no shortage of foodie experiences in the area around Denair and Turlock. Bring an appetite to Resendiz Family Fruit Barn, where you can sample fresh fruit, baked goods, and to-die-for smoothies. Meet the local chicks at Hen and Harvest Farm, open in Turlock on Sundays.

There is also plenty of outdoor adventure in Stanislaus County. Turlock Lake State Recreation Area is just one of central California's gorgeous spots to go boating or camping. A little further west, you'll find Don Pedro Lake in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.

Thanks to the San Joaquins trains that stop in Denair each day, it's easy to reach the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, or Bakersfield within a few hours. Plus, it's a straight shot on the train from Denair to Merced, one of the main gateways to Yosemite National Park. Although Denair does not have intercity bus service, Greyhound runs several routes to its neighbor, Turlock.

Westerly is famous for its gorgeous shorelines, and the beaches are just the beginning. In addition to local stores, fashionable pubs, and restaurants, Rhode Island's southernmost town has a lively downtown environment. The town enchanted Taylor Swift so much that she not only bought a house as a part-time residence but also wrote a song about it: The Last Great American Dynasty.

Give it a listen while strolling through Wilcox Park, with lovely scenery with an open meadow area surrounded by trees, a fish pond, monuments, and perennial gardens. The option to go for a trek nearby Napatree Point Conservation Area is also available. Then, finish your fun-filled day by getting a carload of friends and family and heading to the Misquamicut Drive-In for an outdoor movie.

The area's lodging options range from high-end luxury to eccentric, historic, and comfortable. Ocean House is one of only thirteen resorts in the world to receive triple 5-star certification, making it the best of the best. Perched high on the bluffs of Watch Hill and with a private beach and spa, it's hard to turn down Ocean House.

The Block Island State Airport, the Theodore Francis Green Airport in Providence, and the Westerly State Airport are all in Rhode Island, though not Westerly in particular. Amtrak, however, has trains right into the city coming from Boston, New York, Portland, New Haven, and Philadelphia.