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 Nicholas Grudin
News-Sentinel staff writer

From watching monkeys swinging on ropes at the Micke Grove Zoo to tasting some of Northern California’s best wines at the assortment of surrounding vineyards to hanging out at any of the city’s 11 diverse parks, Lodi is a great stomping ground for a weekend getaway any time of the year.

Known for its pleasant climate and agricultural surroundings, there is always plenty to see and do for people of all ages. The recreational destinations throughout the city could make anyone’s weekend fun filled and busy.

“Lodi is more than you expect it to be,” said Mike Lees, of Sacramento, visiting the Wine and Visitor Center for the first time. Lees works for an agricultural chemical company and he and his wife drive throughout California for business and pleasure.

“You don’t get an idea what Lodi is like when you drive by on the freeway,” Lees said.

The tourist destinations in Lodi are hidden gems, and there are plenty of them, as the Lees found at the visitor center.

The center, which is less than two years old, considers itself a gateway for tourists in Lodi.

“This is a great place to come and get a start,” said Kelli Mettler, the center’s manager.

Located next to one of Lodi’s best-known hotel and restaurant, Wine and Roses, the visitor center offers wine tasting, virtual tours and a lot of information about the area.

“Lodi is becoming a destination for people — the wine industry is a huge tourist draw,” Mettler said.

But more than just send people out to the area’s countless vineyards for wine-tasting excursions, the visitor center staff let people know what else is available in Lodi. And there is plenty.

“We’ve had people stop in for all sorts of things,” Mettler said.

Micke Grove Park has something for everyone. The Micke Grove Zoo is the park’s most popular attraction, but the San Joaquin County Historical Museum along with the Japanese Garden and a small amusement park, are enough to keep every generation of a family occupied and entertained.

Among the 180 different birds, mammals and reptiles living at the zoo, there is a rare snow leopard and a number of different species of playful monkeys.

And when looking at exotic animals stops doing it for the children, hop across the parking lot to Funderwoods Amusement Park, a mini-theme park.

Micke Grove Park can also accommodate the more mature audience. Look no further than 150 feet outside the zoo gates for the entrance into the serene Japanese Garden, where under a rustling bamboo canopy you can enjoy the beauty of a well kept, traditional Japanese garden, with a beautiful bridge and pond.