Lodi: The place to be for wine, dining, more

“We have everything from Micke Grove for families to the wineries for adults.”

That statement, by Nancy Beckman, who oversees tourism in Lodi, sums up the vineyard-surrounded city set halfway between the snow and the beach.

Beckman, with the Wine and Visitors Center, knows what tourists like, and if numbers are any indication, they like Lodi. Group tours are on the rise, and in one month this spring she saw 360 visitors.

And that only counts the tourists who stop at the Turner Road visitors center and get brochures or taste wine.

Many others head straight to a favorite destination, ranging from the restored downtown area to the vineyards and tasting rooms on the edge of the city.

“Our two greatest assets are our wineries and our downtown,” Beckman said. “We’ve got wineries, we’ve got shopping, we’ve got antique stores, we’ve got dining.”

A stroll along the streets of Lodi reveals a range of stores offering everything from used books to novelty cooking items. For children and adults alike, the 12-screen movie theater offers the newest releases.

Benches are placed along the brick sidewalks, and many of the eateries offer outside dining beneath canopies or trees. Burgers, fine dining and ice cream are offered at various restaurants and shops.

Antique shops are plentiful, and even more old wares pop up during the twice-yearly Street Faire. The event closes streets and allows thousands of visitors to saunter down the streets while looking at booths offering everything from Lockeford sausages to sunglasses to more antiques.

For the history buffs, the Hill House Museum offers more insight into the past, as does the San Joaquin Historical Society at Micke Grove Park, along the southern edge of Lodi.

One history-themed tour bus recently came through Lodi and stopped for lunch downtown before continuing to the Historical Society and several wineries, Beckman said.

Parks are also plentiful in Lodi, with the largest outdoor location being Lodi Lake. Boating, picnicking and barbecuing are always options, and the trails around the lake allow for walking and bicycling. A swimming area provides both exercise and fun, and the very small can even enjoy a kiddie pool.

Every July 4, an all-day extravaganza features numerous booths and culminates in a fireworks show after sunset.

Other annual outdoor events include the Sandhill Crane festival, which is quickly becoming one of the main tourist attractions, Beckman said. Each year, more tour groups want to see the white, graceful birds.

The groups, which often come by bus, arrive in Lodi from all over the country. Beckman recently arranged events for a total of eight buses from Illinois, and they’ve already asked for more information to give to another group.

The tour groups don’t hurt the economy, either. Each bus brings in anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000, Beckman said.

Perhaps it’s the wine that brings visitors, or maybe the cranes do the trick. The historical downtown area probably doesn’t hurt, and there are all the other hidden nooks and various sites.

“People see us as being a unique destination,” Beckman said.

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