Like so many small towns and cities in the west, Lodi's modern-day existence is largely due to the presence of a railroad station. In 1869, the Central Pacific Railroad was in the process of creating a new route, so a group of early settlers offered up 160 acres to build a townsite as an incentive for the railroad to build a station there. The railroad accepted the offer and surveyors began laying out streets, which in turn drew flocks of new settlers from nearby towns.
In the earliest days of the West, towns and settlements were often named for local landmarks or bodies of water. Unfortunately, this also meant there could be a number of towns or settlements in the region with the same name. In this case, the town was originally called Mokelumne and Mokelumne Station after the nearby river, but it was changed due to the number of other towns and settlements with the same name.
There are a few different stories regarding the origin of the name Lodi, mostly based on local legends. The most common explanation, however, is that it was named after the Italian city where Napoleon won his first military victory. It's likely that many of the earliest settlers were from Lodi, Illinois, and chose to name their new hometown after their old one.
While you're in Lodi, you can visit one of more than 86 local wineries or one of several local nature preserves. You can also shop in Lodi's charming historic downtown, visit one of the many art galleries, or catch a concert or play at the Hutchins Street Square performing arts theatre. Water lovers can swim or fish at Lodi Lake or paddle or kayak the Mokelumne River. Educational opportunities include a visit to the San Joaquin County Historical Museum, Micke Grove Zoo, Hill House Museum, Lodi Serpentarium, or World of Wonders Science Museum.
Willow Folk Festival - Held each August in Stockton, this festival has been celebrating the history and culture of regional music since 1967.
San Joaquin Asparagus Festival - This delightful food festival takes place every April in Stockton.
Graffiti Summer - Fans of the classic movie "American Graffiti" will love this event held every June in Modesto.
Offering nearly 1,200 square miles of high cliffs and outcroppings, waterfalls, ancient sequoias, and wilderness, you could spend weeks exploring all of the many different features and ecosystems at Yosemite National Park, which is perhaps why it welcomes millions of visitors each year. While you're there, be sure and visit its most famous landmarks, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. Formed through volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, the landscape at Pinnacles National Park is dotted with thousands of towering pinnacles, which gives this park a unique and intriguing landscape. Located in northeast California, not far from the state borders of Oregon and Nevada, Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, geysers, and numerous volcanoes, not to mention crystal clear mountain lakes, a rainbow of wildflowers, and jagged peaks. Visitors to the park’s Warner Valley houses on the Drakesbad Guest Ranch can soak in a hydrothermal spring-fed pool, hike, go horseback riding, swim, fish, or get a relaxing massage.
Visitors to Lodi will have no trouble finding an endless number of recreational activities in the area's many state parks. Located just 20 miles west of Lodi, at Brannan Island State Recreation Area you can navigate through an endless maze of rivers and streams by motorboat or kayak or join local windsurfers and skim across the water. A short drive south of Lodi will take you to Caswell Memorial State Park where you can spend an afternoon swimming in the river or strolling through the riparian ecosystem on the park’s well-maintained trail network. Closer to the San Francisco Bay area, you can visit Mount Diablo State Park, which offers more than 20,000 acres to explore and some spectacular views of the Bay. On a clear day, you can see the Central Valley, San Francisco, and the peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
In Sacramento, you can visit Sutter's Fort State Historic Park to learn about John Sutter and the agricultural establishment he built named New Helvetia. You can also visit the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park and learn about the history of the eighth governor of California and founder of Stanford University, or you may enjoy a visit to the historic Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
If you're staying in Lodi, you can't go wrong with Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Camp-Resort at Tower Park, especially if you're staying with kids. Campsites include concrete patios and are scattered throughout the park near different comfort stations. The available activities are nearly endless; relax on their sandy beach or cast your line from their on-site fishing pier. You can even start a volleyball game on the sand court while your dog plays in their fenced-in Bark Park. For information on other options in the area, including French Camp RV Park Resort and Park Delta Bay, you can check out the top 10 campgrounds and RV parks near Stockton.
15237 Thornton Rd, Lodi, CA 95242, USA
Open year round
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Lodi, CA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Lodi?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Lodi from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Lodi?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
