Looking for some outdoor fun during these wonderful summer days? Make trip to these terrific spots, all either around Lodi or a short drive away. From water sports and boating, to fishing and hiking, there will never be a dry day.

Favorite dishes: Oh, man — that’s a hard one. I usually opt for Lodi’s fresh gems. Here are a few of my regulars: The edamame hummus with a plate of olives, feta and warm Naan bread from Crush Kitchen, 115 S. School St., No. 13 (holy cow — it’s painful when you have a craving on days when the restaurant is closed); the JJ Fiori Caprese (mozzarella, tomato, basil pesto, romaine and red onions on fresh-baked herb focaccia with balsamic and olive oil) from Fiori’s Butcher Shoppe, 400 W. Lodi Ave., is like summer in my mouth; any salad from Bon Appetit, 1012 W. Lodi Ave., though my favorite is the Baja chicken salad; if I’m going out for dinner and want something more unique, I’ll step in to Alebrijes, 10 W. Oak St., to see what’s new.

The Great American Little Town, also known as Galt, in Sacramento County is growing up.

Welcome to Lodi. Please relax and sip some wine. You’ll find wines here are generally excellent, affordable — and often poured for you by the vintner who made them.

Lodi’s nooks and crannies are filled with unique places of interest. From lakes and parks to fruit stands, tasting rooms and community events, there are places to check out around town.

Favorite place to eat: Shangri-La Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar in Downtown Lodi (203 S. School St., Suite A) has great happy hour deals. I love to get their seaweed salad, deep fried calamari, veggie tempura and rainbow roll. I always go with a friend and we never spend over $30 for both of us.

Favorite place to eat: If I am going out to dinner with my wife Shelby, we like The Dancing Fox. It has great food, a great environment and great pies for dessert.

(BPT) - Soccer camps, wilderness camps, chess camps, language camps – whatever interests your child, there’s a camp for him or her.

As parents are making plans to pack up the kids for cabin and campfire adventures this summer, many Lodians remember their own days at summer camp, where they admit boys will be boys and girls will go to great lengths for cake.

Remember when you were about 6 years old, standing in the middle of the backyard with your hands over your eyes, counting down from 10 for a game of hide and seek? The tense scramble while the rest of the kids jockey for the best spot behind a tree or in a shed. That momentary panic when the entire yard seems still and silent. The triumph of spying a shoelace or ballcap that gives the game away.

Local ski, bike, stand-up paddleboard and kayak shops will be teaming up to hold a Spring Swap Meet and Festival.

Starting this summer, visitors to Lodi Lake Park on Turner Road could have the option to bypass the $4 fee required to park each time they drive in for a picnic or to launch kayaks.

Summer is just around the corner and if you haven’t already, it’s time to start planning family adventures to check off the bucket list. Living in the central valley, we have plenty to do within driving distance. Here is a list of ideas close and far to get your wheels spinning.

1. Stadium 12 (Lodi) and Holiday 8 cinema (Stockton) — discounted movie tickets are available Sundays and Tuesdays.

Antiques in the spring

Springtime in Lodi always starts with a day of hunting for those antiques you just have to take home: 1960s daisy-print trunks, mint green salt and pepper shakers, black-and-white lithograph postcards and rusted garden furniture. The Lodi Street Faire brings about 700 vendors to the streets of Downtown for a day of shopping in mild weather. One of Lodi's annual signature events, the street faire will take place May 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(BPT) - Rugged camping gear is no longer just for adventurers and niche outdoor sports. High-tech or activity-specific outdoor products are gaining popularity because they also come in handy every day and around the house.

You could say McCaffrey Middle School went to the birds on Saturday. But that would mean leaving out live bats, slithering snakes and a whole wild animal show. 

(BPT) - Dreaming of spring despite the cold weather outside? You’re not the only one. Many people start thinking of warmer temperatures as soon as the mercury drops. Instead of sitting inside this winter, use these tips to “think spring” so you’ll be ready when the thermometer rises again.

After more than $50,000 of vandalism to Lodi parks and Hutchins Street Square in 2012, the city is planning to hire a part-time police officer to patrol some of Lodi's most valuable assets.

Floating on Lodi Lake, eight paddlers were bundled up against the chilly air. In their bright orange, yellow and white kayaks, the group looked like a collection of determined ducks ready to take off.