INDEX OF STORIES

» Welcome to Lodi
» City offers a world of charms, attractions
» When you think Lodi, think of wine
» For wine lovers, Lodi’s charms are many
» Wine tasting: Basic rules every beginner must know
» Lodi-area wineries
» Lodi’s gateways to adventure await
» Love to tour and eat? In Lodi, you can do both
» What to see, fly, do
» Lodi — a nice, clean place to stay
» A tourist’s eye view of Lodi
» Festivals, music events fill Lodi’s calendar
» Local museums offer something for everyone
» For the Lodi-bound tourist, there are some must-sees
» Lodi can satisfy everyone’s appetite
» Lodi: The place to breakout — outdoors that is
» Grab your clubs and come out swinging
» Looking high, low for that something very old

By Jennifer Pearson Bonnett
News-Sentinel staff writer

Whether you’re looking for a gateway to another state, our own wine country or downtown Lodi, the city has a number of launching points for such adventures.

Begin with the historic train depot located on Sacramento Street. From that building, passengers can travel anywhere in the city, state or country with access to GrapeLine buses, Dial-A-Ride, San Joaquin County transit and Amtrak.

The arch at the corner of Lodi Avenue and School Street is one of the landmarks that act as gateways into Lodi’s historic downtown area. (Jerry R. Tyson/News-Sentinel)

The passenger rail service began pulling into the depot in March 2002, after a 31-year hiatus.

The train depot building is well over a century old.

Originally built in 1869, Central Pacific Railroad completed the station at Sacramento and Pine streets. It was remodeled in 1880 and again in 1950 when interior walls were changed, and new doors, windows and plumbing fixtures installed.

Although the depot was officially closed in 1987, public outcry against its demolition kept it standing. Then, in 1999, it was picked up and moved south across Pine Street. The depot reopened to the public that October with a newly built clock tower and fountain. Mayor Phil Pennino, who helped bring Amtrak to Lodi, called the station a great asset to the city.

“It is the key transportation hub to our city,” he said. “And it’s centrally located. It builds upon the character we already have.”

If you want to stay in Lodi, there are a number of local gateways. The city’s Wine and Visitor Center, which opened in 1998, is a great place to find out more about the city. In fact, its motto is “Discover Lodi.”

The center offers maps of the area’s wineries, a small souvenir shop and even a bar set aside to taste a bit of the region’s wine-grape crop.

It is located on the western edge of the city, near the corner of Turner and Lower Sacramento roads. Finally, the historic Pine Street Arch, built adjacent to the train depot, is defined as “the” city gateway.

Built in the early 1900s as a welcome arch, the historic structure bears the Lodi name and sports a golden bear at its crest.

The bear was taken down in 2001 for a complete restoration that included drying it out, stuffing it and patching a hole in its back. New 23-karat goldleaf was also applied.

The white, mission-style, concrete arch now acts as a passageway to downtown, a blossoming area of mom-and-pop shops, a year-old, state-of-the-art movie theater and brick-lined streets.