Welcome to Lodi

Dear Visitor,

It is with pleasure and pride that I welcome you to our beautiful city of Lodi.

All but hidden by the expansive stretches of vineyards and miles of cherry, almond and walnut orchards, Lodi has preserved its small-town charm.

Our mild weather, wide-open spaces, rural atmosphere, low crime rate, abundant agriculture, unhurried lifestyle and friendly people are what makes living here ideal.

Lodi serves as a hub for many activities that include sports, performing arts, shopping and fine dining. With a population of 58,000, it is the second-largest city in San Joaquin County.

Mayor Alan Nakanishi

A long growing season, warm days plus cool, pleasant evenings and fertile soil all work together to make this region one of the 10 richest agricultural areas in the nation and the largest producer of wine grapes in the world.

Thousands of acres of grape vineyards can be seen stretching from the foothills to beyond the Delta. The product of Lodi’s annual grape harvest finds it way into many of the most popular California wines and on to tables all over the world.

Take in the new Discover Lodi Wine and Visitor Center. There you will enjoy interactive displays that will teach you about wine from the ground up.

Meander along the Lodi Wine Trail. You’ll encounter wineries large and small, brand new and decades old.

Lodi is home to the General Mills cereal manufacturing plant. Opened 50 years ago, it produces many familiar products distributed throughout the Western United States. The plant employs about 400 workers.

Another major employer is Lodi Memorial Hospital, noted for its high-quality, cutting-edge medical care.

Many things set Lodi apart from other California cities. For example, the city of Lodi owns and operates its own electric, water and sewer utilities. Revenues from our electric system, owned since 1910, provides funds for many cultural and recreational activities, including our public library, the Parks and Recreation Department and the city’s new cultural center, Hutchins Street Square.

Lodi’s citizens have always been known for their generosity and the collective ability to get behind a community project to see it through to completion.

Hutchins Street Square was once a burned-out high school. The Square was reincarnated, thanks to the dedicated work of community leaders and other interested individuals. It took nearly 20 years and $20 million to complete the task, but a few years ago, the project was completed.

Hutchins Street Square, the beautiful performing arts and conference center with its 800-seat, state-of-the-art performing arts acoustical theater, is host to acclaimed artists, cultural events and concerts.

The Square also includes an outdoor amphitheater, a child-care camp, a senior center, indoor heated swimming pool, and several meeting rooms that are ideal for business seminars, receptions, dinners and large gatherings.

Six years ago, the city made some dramatic changes to its aging central core. After many public meetings, several years, and about $4 million, downtown Lodi was reborn.

If you want a fun experience, take a stroll downtown, walk on its distinct yellow sidewalks, visit its many shops or dine in one of its fine restaurants. The pave-stoned streets, lighted tree wells and bricked walkways have been recognized throughout California for their beauty and innovation.

While downtown, visit our new train station and transportation hub just opened last year. Walk onto the platform and visit the spot where over 11,000 people came to hear the “whistle-stop” campaign speeches of President George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Then look back and see the beautiful facade of buildings built near the beginning of the past century.

Another change the city made was on Cherokee Lane, once a part of State Route 99, connecting the city’s north and south quadrants. About six years ago, the city — in cooperation with business and property owners along the street — embarked on a multi-million dollar project to renovate the three-mile long street. Today, it is one of the most beautiful boulevards in the city.

Lodi Lake is better known as the “jewel” of Lodi. There you can find peace and solitude in the middle of the city’s hustle and bustle.

There is an easy, one-mile walking bail in the wilderness area that winds along the Mokelumne River and all kinds of wildlife and birds can be found.

Since 1941, Lodi Lake has drawn families to its shores. We invite you to picnic under a tree near the water, rent a canoe, cast a rod and reel for fish, play, walk or just relax, unwind and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

Nestled amid magnificent valley oaks, Micke Grove Park is home to a small, exotic zoo featuring several endangered species including snow leopards, golden lion tamarins and four species of lemurs from Madagascar.

Children especially enjoy observing the antics of the seals as they swim and play in their beautiful habitat.

There is also a Japanese garden, amusement park and Micke Grove Golf Links available for the golf enthusiast.

These are just a few of the many features that makes Lodi one of the premier cities in California.

I am sure that as you spend time in Lodi, you will begin to appreciate the many qualities of life that have attracted people to our fine city.

Once again, welcome to our city. I hope you will enjoy your stay and that you will return often. If I can be of service to you in any way, please call me at the City Hall.

Mayor Alan Nakanishi
April 24, 2001