Discover ... the Best of Lodi, the Delta and the Mother Lode

Dollars and sense: There are plenty of places to shop in Lodi and the surrounding area

Fancy pet supplies. Vintage furniture. Cheap books. Home accessories. Hardcore and leisurely shoppers alike can find a little bit of everything in Lodi.

Chefs — and hopeful chefs — can find unique kitchen gadgets in Lodi Cooks, while candle lovers are almost guaranteed to find something in 2 Illuminate. Women can ogle the perfect purse or accessory at City Girl. And, people of all ages and genders can wander through Tom's Used Books in search of the perfect, inexpensive book.

And that's just a small selection of stores in downtown Lodi. The rest of the city is also filled with stores, and a short drive to nearby towns affords an even larger selection.

Pet supplies and one-of-a-kind Christmas ornaments are just some of the things found in Mon Petit Chic. Women looking for an evening gown might find a new dress in Pret, while Frames and Fine Things offers all sorts of knickknacks.

For more specific shopping, the House of Clocks offers both new timepieces and repair services, and John Borelli Jewelry lives up to its name. While shoppers are wandering downtown, the recently expanded Roger's Railroad Junction and Hobbies will satisfy train collectors, and it might also create some new train enthusiasts.

Sporting goods are available at Big 5, but also at locally owned Lodi Sporting Goods, which sells equipment for almost every sport and also offers customized embroidery.

Outdoor and home improvement supplies can be found at Orchard Supply and Hardware, and at Lowe's.

Department stores in Lodi range from Mervyn's and J.C. Penney to Target, Wal-Mart and Big KMart. Name-brand items at discount prices are available at Marshall's and Ross Dress For Less. Look for decorative goods and furniture at the just-built Pier 1 Imports.

For those who want one-stop shopping, Lodi's May and October downtown Street Faires provide blocks upon blocks of antiques, clothing and assorted items ranging from sunglasses to plants. During the summer months, Thursday evening farmers markets offer produce but also have an array of booths offering specialty items.

Additionally, a 15-minute drive north to Galt will take shoppers to the city's outdoor flea market, held every Tuesday and Wednesday.

And, there are always gift certificates. Nearly every store in Lodi can help provide a theater pass for the buff or a meal at one of the city's numerous restaurants. In the meantime, shoppers can also take advantage of a variety of food, coffee and dessert.