Stockton Travel Guide

 
by atufft
 
  •   Things to Do
    by atufft
  • Smith Canal, Stockton
      Smith Canal, Stockton
    by atufft
  • View from Hotel Stockton
      View from Hotel Stockton
    by atufft
  • Breadfruit Tree Restaurant in Stockton, CA
      Breadfruit Tree Restaurant in Stockton,...
    by atufft
  • Downtown Stockton
      Downtown Stockton
    by WulfstanTraveller
 

Explore Stockton

Things to Do  

Hotel Stockton

Hotel Stockton, Stockton

 atufft Says:  Today, Stockton is not considered a priority tourist destination, but in the past it was. The earliest period, Stockton was the port and departure point for land travel to the southern Mother Lode. During the late 19th century, Stockton was one of the most industrialized... 

Take the dog for a walk

Take the dog for a walk, Stockton

 atufft Says:  I like to walk to either the American Legion Park, at the head of Smith Canal, the center of which is known as Yosemite Lake. Other times, I walk across the Pershing street bridge toward Victory Park, which is considerably larger and more active with walkers than American... 

English classes are free at the Adult School

English classes are free at the Adult School, Stockton

 atufft Says:  Actually, this is also true for every other community in California, but Stockton does have a well developed Adult education program. The local population includes a large number of recent immigrants who don't know English, and so the ESL courses are a particular value.... 

Hotels  

Restaurants  

AVE: Upscale Lounge Bar and Restaurant

AVE: Upscale Lounge Bar and Restaurant, Stockton

 atufft Says:  AVE stands for avenue, of course, which in local Stockton vernacular refers to the Miracle Mile section of Pacific Avenue, where most of the city's most sophisticated restaurants are located. Just 2 years old at the time of this writing, AVE has received awards, great... 

Breadfruit Tree: Outstanding Jamaican at Paradise Cove

Breadfruit Tree: Outstanding Jamaican at Paradise Cove, Stockton

 atufft Says:  This authentic family owned Caribbean restaurant serves up outstanding Jamaican plates at the Paradise Point Marina. It's one of Stockton's most unique restaurants, in my opinion. On weekends, music, such as the steel drum or guitar liven up the delta. Occasionally, they... 

Siamese Street: Going Thai

Siamese Street: Going Thai, Stockton

 ai_ai Says:  A laid back small restaurant serving thai cuisine. Some of those foods you can choose to have cooked mild, medium, spicy or extra spicy. Decors are reminiscent of their culture but not overbearing so it doesnt scream in your face that you are in a Thai restaurant. The carved... 

Saigon: Celebrate Vietnamese Culture on Miracle Mile

Saigon: Celebrate Vietnamese Culture on Miracle Mile, Stockton

 atufft Says:  We eat fairly regularly at the Saigon because nearby Cocoro's is more expensive and always too busy. I don't like standing in line outside waiting for a table in a noisey environment. Saigon has plenty of room and the family serves quality Vietnamese food. The owner is a... 

Tony Roma's: Famous for Rib's

Tony Roma's: Famous for Rib's, Stockton

 spartan Says:  A chain restaurant that serves excellent food and has a great happy hour. Flame grilling is the secret to their famous taste. Try the Roma's Triple Play Sampler (Roma's Red Hot Buffalo Wings, Potato Skins and Lotza Mozza Sticks...matched with three dipping sauces). For... 

Valley Brewing: Good Microbrewery-brewpub

Valley Brewing: Good Microbrewery-brewpub, Stockton

 WulfstanTraveller Says:  This is a good microbrewery with a nice range of beers that it makes, most quite good, plus some good food. It tries to straddle the role of being both a serious microbrewery as well as basic sports bar. The latter point is potentially harming its role in the former but not... 

Nightlife  

Faye Spanos Concert Hall: Jazz has heritage in Stockton's UOP

Faye Spanos Concert Hall: Jazz has heritage in Stockton's UOP, Stockton

 atufft Says:  The venerable old Faye Spanos Concert Hall hosts jazz and other musical features on a regular basis. Tickets can be purchased on-line. Check out the University of the Pacific website or the Stockton, CA website. Dave Brubeck graduated from UOP and left a multi-million dollar... 

Victory Park: Free Summer Concert in the Park

Victory Park: Free Summer Concert in the Park, Stockton

 atufft Says:  The day of the week has changed from year to year, but the summer concert series is always on a week evening, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday night, starting at 6pm. This summer marks the 55th year of doing this free concert picnic in Victory Park. Although alcoholic... 

Transportation  

Greyhound Bus

Greyhound Bus, Stockton

 atufft Says:  Many central valley cities have closed their bus terminals, but Stockton's remains busy enough. There is a break in the mid-day between 12 and 3pm, but mornings and evenings are fairly busy. The station patrons are not the jet set, but Greyhound appears to have worked hard... 

Local Customs  

There are Few "Tree Huggers" Here in Stockton

There are Few "Tree Huggers" Here in Stockton, Stockton

 atufft Says:  For those of us living in Stockton, who are concerned about global warming, urban sprawl, and the environment in general, know that we face a majority of ignorance about such issues. Along the Smith Canal, garbage is dumped regularly, and though the city has raised fines and... 

Unfortunately, Pitbulls are Popular Here

Unfortunately, Pitbulls are Popular Here, Stockton

 atufft Says:  Stockton has a lot of people who are in love with the American Pitbull as a breed, but my insurance agent doesn't want me to have one. Below is a very popular You Tube video of my Miniature Schnauzer (same as in my member photo) wrestling with a Pitbull pup. At the time,... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Be Wary of Hotels along Hwy 99
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atufft 2868 reviews

A few of the better hotels are just off hwy 99, such as the Best Western on Waterloo. But, frankly, the hwy 99 side of town is mostly for truck drivers and farmers. There isn't a lot to do on that side of town, and finding your way across the city to find the decent restaurants and action is challenging even for those who live here. Only Hammer Lane, on the far north, and Hwy 4, the crosstown freeway (or Charter Lane in the far south), cut directly across the city to link Hwy 99 and the I-5 corridor where the action is mostly located. There are other ways to navigate across between these two major roads, but they are really tricky and you can end up stuck at the railroad tracks or in some deadend business yard. Because the railroad tracks cut the city in two, the old industry and poor neighborhoods remain on the Hwy 99 side of town. Downtown and all of the better restaurants and things to do are on the I-5 side of town. However, if you must stay at the Best Western (perhaps you are a trucker taking Hwy 99), either back track to the crosstown freeway or take Waterloo all the way until it reaches Wilson Way, then proceed south until you reach Main, and turn right. Eventually, Main will end up downtown. This route take some courage though as one travels past pitiful old factories and some pretty old and ugly do-it-yourself neighborhoods. But, in general, most visitors will be happier finding a hotel on along the I-5 corridor. Check out either the Raddison or better yet, the Howard Johnson Express tips that I wrote.

Written Sep 7, 2005

Related to:
 Road Trip
 Business Travel
 Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

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Tourist Traps  

March Lane is the closest thing to it here
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atufft 2868 reviews

Many visitors take the March Lane exit and see the string of corporate restaurants and the Radisson, and they think this is Stockton--another bedroom suburban community. Far from it. Stockton is a gritty old industry city steeped in California history. The tractor was invented here, but now most of the food processing plants have moved south. What's happening is the redevelopment of downtown, especially along the waterfront, and the expansion of a variety of ethnic communities in satellite development areas. Some of these areas are some distance from each other while the downtown and uptown areas are all pretty continguous. Wander around if you want to see the real Stockton at its best. While Stockton can be dangerous place (it has a high per capita murder rate and car theft rate), most of the danger is within certain neighborhoods after dark. There are no daylight danger neighborhoods that I know of, unless you are the one asking for trouble.

Unique Suggestions: The Radisson may be the logical choice for some who need access to the businesses in this area, but don't be tempted to stick with Applebees, Outback, and the other brand name restaurants. Be a little adventuresome and examine my tips for the ethnic and other restaurants in town. They aren't that far away, especially if you have a rental car.

Fun Alternatives: Walk east from Radisson to the Venician Bridges shopping center. There are a number of interesting small restaurants there Also, at Pershing and March, in the John's Pizza shopping center, tucked around the corner are very two very good Asian restaurants--a Cambodian and Japanese. But, the best are elsewhere in the city. If you have a rental car, the area south of hwy 4, the crosstown freeway, is the best area to browse for authentic Mexican restaurants. Otherwise, a large number of ethnic restaurants from many nations are scattered throughout the city. For those with more old fashioned American tastes, Stockton has a number of great traditonal steak and potatoes type restaurants too, a tradition that has its basis in the fact that Stockton is also a big trucking and rail town. So, skip the corporate fat and salts, and head for authentic food.

Updated Sep 6, 2005

Related to:
 Business Travel
 Road Trip
 Study Abroad

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Off The Beaten Path  

Cosumnes River Wildlife Preserve

Cosumnes River Wildlife Preserve, Stockton

 atufft Says:  About halfway between Stockton and Sacramento off I-5, the Cosumnes River Preserve is one of the better places in the San Joaquin-Delta region for non-boaters to see birdlife. It's located near the confluence of the Consumnes River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The... 

View the Port of Stockton activities

View the Port of Stockton activities, Stockton

 atufft Says:  The waterfront at Weber Point and elsewhere downtown is totally worthwhile, but its also worth finding the turn-out across from the Port. Stockton Port is the furthest east on California's Pacific coast as it is part of the freshwater San Joaquin Delta area. The battleship... 

Sports & Outdoors  

The poem "Casey at Bat" was written about Stockton

The poem "Casey at Bat" was written about Stockton, Stockton

 atufft Says:  Downtown along the waterfront are two new stadiums, one for ice hockey and the other for baseball. The Stockton Ports, a minor league affiliate of the Oakland A's, is a good central valley league contender to watch and an excellent ticket value given the comfortable... 

New Stadium Arena has a Hockey Team

New Stadium Arena has a Hockey Team, Stockton

 atufft Says:  This multi-use indoor arena is now open and regularly features pro-ice hockey and big name musical talent. It's down by the ballpark and Weber point area, within walking distance of downtown. Browse the Stockton webpages for more information, but for wintertime sports... 

Comments

 
Explore Deeper into Stockton
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Extended StayAmerica Stockton
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Celebrate Juneteenth in Stockton
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Jog/walk around downtown Stockton
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Oriental Buffet: All You Can Eat Oriental Buffet--Best Deal Around
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Come visit by boat
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Latino Party!
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Take the dog for a boat ride on the Smith Canal
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Bombay Grill & Bar: All you can eat Indian buffet
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Halloween Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze
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Signature City Centre Stadium 16: Downtown Multiplex Cinema is new
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Papapavlo Mediterranean Bistro: One of the best overall restaurants in Stockton
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Bob Hope Theatre books good acts...
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Hampton Inn Stockton
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Weber Point is center for large outdoor events
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Asparagas Festival is Stockton's claim to fame
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Venician Bridges complex: Within easy walking from Radisson Hotel
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San Felipe's Grill: Grilled fresh fish tacos can't be beat!
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Haggin Museum isn't a boring hometown collection
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Window shop along the "Miracle Mile"
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Ramada Plaza Stockton
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Jog through Stockton's old money neighborhoods
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Map of Stockton