Modesto is a small town with big city ambitions, and is located just east of San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland in the San Joaquin Valley. Visitors from all over the world flock to Modesto in June to partake in Graffiti Days, a festival modeled after filmmaker George Lucas' movie, American Graffiti. Festival events include a 1950s-era automobile showcase and a street fair with food, entertainment and activities. The Great Valley Museum of Natural History is found in Modesto as well, offering interpretations of the Central Valley's history, culture, flora and fauna. Visitors to the area also enjoy attending an amateur baseball game at John Thurman Field, which is home to the Modesto A's, a California League team. Shopping enthusiasts appreciate Century Center, an amalgam of over 30 stores, restaurants and services. Modesto's reputation for hospitality and a central California location make it a good hub from which to explore the rest of the state.