Lodi’s mayor offers the city’s welcome
What is Lodi's best kept secret?
The answer is simply: the city of Lodi itself.
However, it is a question often asked by first-time visitors to our wonderful community. But people who come to Lodi soon realize this, a community that has a lot to offer. Even though it is a city of 60,000 people, it still has a small town feel.
As the mayor of Lodi I would like to welcome you to our community. While you are here please take the time to explore and experience all that is Lodi. You will find the people of Lodi friendly and willing to help you in any way they can. In fact, one of the best things about Lodi is its people and their willingness to get involved in many volunteer programs.
Lodi is the largest grape-growing region in the state with more that 75,000 acres of vineyards. The Lodi area is home to more that 40 small wineries and most have tasting rooms. The owners would love to welcome you and introduce you to some of their exquisite and unique wines.
The city also is very fortunate to have the Wine and Visitors Center, located at 2545 W. Turner Road. You will find the staff to be very informative and there are many exhibits that will help you understand the art of growing grapes and the production of fantastic wines. The staff will also help you plan your visit and direct you to wonderful restaurants, shopping and recreation facilities.
Next door to the Wine and Visitors Bureau is the lovely and unique Wine and Roses Hotel and Spa. This is an excellent place to relax and enjoy a fine meal with your favorite adult beverage.
The greater Lodi area boasts some of the finest recreation facilities in the state. You can experience skydiving, golfing, fishing or boating on the 1,000 miles of Delta waterways. There are also several rivers for trout fishing and lakes to visit in the nearby area, with the Mokelumne River forming the northern boundary of the city.
One of the jewels of Lodi is Lodi Lake, which is a man made lake located on Turner Road just east of the Wine and Visitors Center. The lake is a beautiful and quiet place to visit, picnic, or walk through its extensive wilderness area. On the wilderness trail you will find murals depicting the wildlife that can be observed as you wind your way along the trail.
Just to the south of Lodi, the Micke Grove Regional Park features a Zoo, children's amusement park, a Japanese Garden, a golf course and a large park to picnic or just relax in the shade of numerous hundred year old trees.
The city has a wonderful performing arts center at Hutchins Street Square. This site features a 900 seat auditorium, senior center with a pool and conference center. Be sure to check the schedule to find what features or events are being offered at the performing arts theater.
Lodi has experienced a transformation of its downtown in recent years and this major revitalization has resulted in a very fun and exciting place to visit. There is a new state of the art 12 screen movie theater complex that is boarded by wonderful eateries. And there is plenty of free parking in the new parking facility located at the corner of Sacramento and Elm streets.
Be sure and visit downtown at night and experience the lighted trees that border School Street. During the summer there is a Farmer’s Market on Thursday evenings.
Additionally, there are many wonderful restaurants that include steaks and seafood, as well as Mexican and Chinese cuisine.
Near the downtown area is a fitting tribute to our veterans with the All Veterans Memorial Plaza with a cascading waterfall, eternal flame and etched poetry blocks. The Arts Commission sponsors "Lunch Time Live” musical groups at noon during the summer at the plaza which is located on West Pine Street next to City Hall .
The downtown features the Multimodal Transit Center, which preserved the original 1907 passenger depot. This Transit Center is located next to the Historic Lodi Arch with the California bear on top. The city bus system stops at the center as does the Greyhound Bus and Amtrak trains.
Most of you have heard the song by Creedence Clearwater Revival’s, "Stuck In Lodi Again" and after your visit I am sure you will agree that if you’re going to be stuck, Lodi is a great place to be.