History & Heritage Tour
Begin the day at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum that lives in the heart of lush Micke Grove Park, where you will find numerous fun and educational exhibits. Be transported back in time to the San Joaquin County schoolhouse and the authentic blacksmith shop. Observe authentic tractors from the early 1900’s and view hundreds of antique farm implements. Walk the sunshine trail that recreates a trip across California from west to east including waterways, bridges and native California plants, while being guided along the trail by special markers and audio stations.
Travel to downtown Lodi to partake in a historic tour of the heart of our city, relishing in Lodi’s vast history. Brick-cobbled streets lined with Elm trees adorned in twinkle lights, will enchant you as you are welcomed into our boutiques and unique shops. Eat a hearty lunch at any one of our many downtown restaurants where innovative cuisine will tempt the palate and customers can take in the energy of downtown.
Hill House Museum, a turn-of-the-century Victorian built in 1902 will be a perfect place to take an afternoon tour where you can view everything from the early architecture to the beautiful antiques and furnishings. Hill House was built by Lodian George Washington Hill and his wife Mary, and is a testament to their lives, loves and interests. Here you will find a museum with a story to tell, rich in history and unique in content.
Wine Country Tour
Learn how grapes are grown and fine wine is made at the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center. The center boasts interactive exhibits that walk you through the winemaking process – from vines to wines, you’ll be captivated by the detail that goes into every bottle. Shop for unique gift items and mementos at our Lodi gift shop, where you can also taste award-winning handcrafted wines from a selection of over 150 Lodi labels, many of which are only available at the Visitor Center.
Visit a winery of your choice. Whether you are looking for boutique wineries with historical significance, a new modern tasting facility or a winery where you can be entertained by our own Bob Hartzell playing the pipe organ, Lodi wineries not only showcase award-winning wines, but have atmosphere to boot!
Dine for lunch at the elegant Wine & Roses Hotel and Restaurant. Nestled in the heart of Lodi Wine Country, this historic inn and restaurant provides a comfortable and relaxing environment set within seven acres of towering trees and serene botanical gardens. Savor the essence of fresh, local ingredients flavored to the season, prepared by Wine & Roses’ hottest up and coming chefs. A meal at Wine & Roses will be one unforgotten, book-marked in your mind as a time of flavor and elegance.
Take what you learned about winemaking and see the process in action! Tour Woodbridge Winery by Robert Mondavi, Lodi’s largest and most extensive winery, producing 7 million cases a year. Hear from the experts about the history of the Mondavi empire. View a vineyard, grape receiving test stand, red wine barrel aging room, redwood cellar, and stemmer crusher station. Complete your tour with a complimentary wine tasting in Woodbridge’s own tasting room and gift shop.
Students and Families
Start your day off right – with chocolate! Travel to the areas newest chocolate factory, where guests can view the candy making process from the melting of the chocolate to the packaging of these heavenly delights. Visitors won’t want to miss the gift shop and café where handmade chocolates, ice cream and gourmet coffees are all part of this “Chocolate Experience”.
Watch the action at the Micke Grove Zoo, which features over 180 birds, mammals and reptiles. Visitors will enjoy native animals and exotic species from all over the world, right here in Lodi! Catch a glimpse of several endangered species such as the popular Chinese Alligator, snow leopard and cotton top tamarin. Exhibits include the Tropic Forest Canopy with its Rodrigues fruit bats, Paseo Panters-Path of the Mountain Lion and the Island Lost in Time featuring lemurs, parrots and radiated tortoises from Madagascar.
Enjoy a tasty boxed lunch while soaking in warm rays peeking through massive oak trees. With 258 acres, this regional park provides room for a relaxing day with nature.
If you are feeling courageous, head over to the Lodi Serpentarium, where you will find over 50 different breeds of snakes and other reptiles. The Serpentarium has exotic reptiles such as bearded dragons, geckos, chameleons, mantella and horned frogs, emperor scorpions, tarantulas and various other creatures. Here you can learn about the snake breeding process and even hold one for a picture…if you dare!
Looking to cool down? Then off to Lodi Lake where you can begin your tour with a visit to the Lake’s Discovery Center. The Discovery Center hosts a mounted collection of the animals and birds that are found along the Mokelumne River. Vintage photographs of the lake area, along with interpretive educational games make a visit to the Center enticing for all ages. Afterwards take a docent guided walk along the 1.5 miles of nature trails lined with mature oaks, cottonwoods and willow stands overlooking the river. This 58-acrea riparian wilderness area is home to over 200 species of birds according to the San Joaquin County Audobon Society. This charming and serene lake will refresh you as you take in the breathtaking sights around you. Paddleboats and canoes can be rented and a beach area available for those who wish to swim.