When European settlers first arrived in the area that would become Stockton, the land was occupied by an offshoot of the Yokut group. Stockton became a transportation hub during the California Gold Rush due to its convenient location on the San Joaquin River. Carlos Maria Weber was a German immigrant who acquired a rancho during this time. He determined that selling supplies to gold miners was more profitable than attempting to mine himself. His rancho became a miner's supply point and slowly developed into a town over time. Stockton was formally incorporated in 1850 and now has a population of more than 320,000.
Of the two malls in the city, Weberstown Mall is home to the only Dilliard's in the Northern California region. Sherwood Mall has one of only three operating Sears in the area. Along with abundant shopping opportunities, this city is also home to the Stockton Symphony, the third-largest professional orchestra in the state. They often perform at the Atherton Auditorium on the San Joaquin Delta College campus.
To learn more about Stockton's fascinating history, you can visit the 18-acre historical facility at Micke Grove Park. This museum is operated by the San Joaquin County Historical Society. Other museums in the area include the Haggin Museum, which has an art collection from mainly European painters, and the Horton Gallery at San Joaquin Delta College.
Stockton holds several boat parades during the year. There's one in April to celebrate the start of yachting season and another in December that's held at the same time as the city's Festival of Lights. Many of the yearly festivities celebrate the city's vibrant food and restaurant culture. There are more than 275 restaurants in Stockton ranging from Cambodian to Mexican to Greek.
Campgrounds Near Stockton, California
The RiverPoint Landing Mari-Resort in Stockton offers great views of the nearby Buckley Cove. You don't even have to leave your campsite to see freighters float along the channel. This campground is clean, fenced, and gated for your security and convenience. They have 32 back-in sites with 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups. Some campsites are shaded and you can even fish right from the sites that are along the water.
Manteca's Turtle Beach RV Resort is just 20 minutes away from Stockton. Anglers shouldn't miss out on this fishing camp. It comes equipped with a boat launch and fish cleaning station. During your fishing breaks, consider heading to the game room for a quick round of cards or snag a book from the library. This campground has 72 spacious, back-in campsites with full hookups. You'll also enjoy the dump station, laundry facilities, and modern bathrooms.
The Flag City RV Resort in Lodi is your best bet for big-rig-friendly facilities. The paved roads are long and wide, and the included concrete pads span up to 2,000 feet. Flag City is in a great location near Interstate 5. It also has a propane station, a fenced dog run, and a general store that sells wine and beer. You'll find 180 beautiful campsites here with full hookups.
State Parks Near Stockton, California
The nearby Caswell Memorial State Park is just 83 miles away from San Francisco. The quiet Stanislaus River flows through this park, providing a safe haven for a variety of mammals and waterfowl. You'll find an extensive trail network here with many short and long routes. Anglers often fish for bass and catfish from the river during the summer. Don't forget to bring your binoculars to take advantage of the amazing bird-watching opportunities.
The Brannan Island State Recreation Area is located in the fertile San Joaquin Delta. Explore the many waterways and rivers by windsurfing, boating, or kayaking. The Seven Mile Slough is a great, out-of-the-way spot for families looking to swim. If you're interested in using the fishing pier, don't forget to bring a fishing license for everyone over the age of 16. Those with motorboats can head over to the convenient 10-lane boat ramp.
Only 42 miles outside of San Jose, the Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area has a massive reservoir that's open to fishing and boating. It runs for five miles up into the hills. All boats are welcome as long as they don't exceed 10 miles per hour. Families are welcome to splash around or swim in the shallows during the summer. Consider planning your next hike here in the spring when endless fields of wildflowers line the hills.
National Sites Near Stockton, California
Stop by Concord to tour the historic Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. In 1944, two Navy ships exploded while being loaded. This explosion killed a total of 320 sailors and civilians. The majority of the sailors were African American, which led to a mutiny trial and eventually the desegregation of the military. You're welcome to visit this site today to honor those lost victims and see how this event forever changed the United States armed forces. The site is only open for free ranger-led tours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Make sure to book a reservation over the phone or via email at least two weeks in advance.
The John Muir National Historic Site is 55 miles east of Stockton in Martinez. John Muir was one of the most famous naturalists in America. His persuasive writings convinced the United States government to designate sites like Yosemite, Mount Rainier, and Sequoia as national parks. This site is where Muir wrote, worked, and lived with his family. The visitor center includes a 20-minute film about his contributions to country-wide conservation efforts. You can then walk the halls of the Muir/Strentzel house or take a guided cellphone tour.
Learn more about the various groups that mass-migrated west by exploring the California National Historic Trail. During the 1840s and 1850s, thousands of people headed to California to stake their claim on the fertile farmlands and ripe gold mines. Some of the most used trails included the Lassen Trail, Appelgate Trail, and Nobles Trail, all of which are currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This historic trail area is full of attractions and even some remnants from the original traveling wagons.
National Forests Near Stockton, California
Encompassing 500,000 acres of beautiful woodland, the Eldorado National Forest is located in eastern California near Lake Tahoe. Elevations vary between 1,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level. Snow is constantly present in elevations above 6,000 feet between December and May. This park has almost 300 lakes and more than 600 miles of streams ripe with fish. Nearby RV camping spots include West Point Campground and Loon Lake Campground. Hiking, picnicking, boating, windsurfing, and wildlife viewing are popular during the summer. Consider visiting in the winter for tubing, sledding, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling. All hunters and anglers require permits.
Only 63 miles away from Stockton, Stanislaus National Forest is adjacent to the northern area of Yosemite National Park. Formally established in 1897, this is one of the oldest national forests in the country. It spans about 898,000 acres and has almost 3,000 miles of roads. Visitors will love the more than 1,100 miles of trails and 811 miles of rivers and streams. One of the most popular paths is the High Country Meadows Trail, which runs from the Bear Trap Basin to Corral Hollow. It passes through gorgeous wildflower meadows perfect for afternoon picnics. Don't forget to try your hand at stargazing, geocaching, or nature watching.
Head east through the Eldorado National Forest to find the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Area. This area is full of evergreen forests and thriving wildlife. The land around the lake is perfect for hiking, camping, skiing, and fishing. Lake Tahoe itself permits all types of watercraft from paddle boats to sailboats. It's also full of rainbow trout just waiting to be caught. Some of the local fauna include chipmunks, hawks, bears, deer, geese, and eagles. While there is no fee to enter this area, there may be permits or fees required depending on your chosen campsite or recreational activity.
