San Joaquin Historical Society and Museum in Micke Grove Park, Lodi, CA

History comes alive in Micke Grove Park!  Nestled in the 258 acre county park just south of Lodi, California is the San Joaquin Historical Society and Museum. With eight large exhibit buildings packed with Native American, pioneer, Gold Rush and agricultural history, and four historic buildings including the Charles Weber Cottage dating to 1847 and the Calaveras School, 1866, it's one of the state's best historical museums.

A class of third graders, taking part in the summertime ‘Valley Days’, receive a day’s education just as it was offered in the 1880s (here they enjoy lunch on the grass)

This 1859 prairie schooner stands more than 8 1/2 feet tall, is made of New England hardwood and was loaded with 1600 pounds of household goods and food for the five-month trip across the United States to California

 

Blue farm wagon, built by Truscott and Sons of Stockton in 1910, it cost $250 and was used by the Brassesco family to haul fruits and veggies to markets in Stockton and Lodi

The museum has literally scores of vintage tractors, crawlers and Caterpillar tractors

Pacific Fruit Express refrigerated rail car: this car was built in 1957, an ice-cooled steel car which could haul 80,000 pounds of produce to markets in the East. Mechanically-cooled cars would not come into production until the 1960s

 

Huge dredge bucket towers over two kids: this huge dredge bucket was used on the San Joaquin Delta to dredge waterways and build the levies that held back the San Joaquin River And Delta

Here a docent works with a young visitor in helping her make a corn husk doll during the Festival of Trees

Within the large park you'll also find the stunning Japanese Gardens, the Fun Town Amusement Park and the Micke Grove Zoo, surrounded by lots of picnic areas placed amongst stately Valley Oaks. The park offers so many options in addition to the museum, you'll spend a long day, or return, time-and-again.

Inside the museum's ongoing exhibits are many examples of early pioneer and Gold Rush transportation. Included in the collection is an original prairie schooner, one of only several left in existence, dating to 1859, many farm wagons, buggies and all manner of early farm equipment. The museum is rich in old farm implements: plows, harvesters, tractors, Holt and Best crawlers, Caterpillar tractors, John Deere tractors and many more.

Wander through the museum's exhibit buildings and get a sense of life in the 1860s through the early 1900s, or picture life on the prairie crossing the US to California. Life on the farm is clearly depicted from more than one hundred years ago; the exhibits clearly paint a picture of life that was then a bit harsher than what we enjoy today!

A large contingent of historically-correct docents are available to give you tour tips and interpretive information. Of special interest for kids, coming on Fridays and Saturdays, March 7-24, is the Critter Corral, offering a petting corral with a variety of farm animals! On any given day, docents will help bring history to life for kids from 5 to 95!

Directions: the museum is located inside Micke Grove Park, at 11793 N. Micke Grove Rd., Lodi. From Interstate 5, go east on Eight Mile Road, then left on Micke Grove Road. Admission: Just $5 for adults, seniors (65+) and teens are $4 and kids (6-12), only $2. The park also has a vehicle admission fee. Winter museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 4 PM.

For more information, go to www.sanjoaquinhistory.org, or call (209) 953.3460. For additional Weekend Getaway ideas, go to http://LittlePlacesIKnow.blogspot.com. Take the family and make a fun day at Micke Grove Park and the museum!

Travels with a teardrop, other tiny trailers

We have owned several tiny trailers over the last six years; our first was a cute little reproduction Kit Kamper, popular after World War II and one of the more frequent teardrop trailer styles seen today. The Kit was built on a platform of 4’X8’ plywood sheets; hence, 4’ wide, 4’ tall and 8’ long (we have since upgraded to a Scotty teardrop, as noted below).

Pictured, from top down: Our reproduction 1958 Serro Scotty Junior teardrop, Susan relaxing in camp with the Scotty and its open rear galley (beside a giant fifth-wheel), and our 1964 Serro Scotty Sportsman (a work in slow-progress, behind the Nissan 300ZX we towed it with before we got the Focus)

Ours was built from a kit in 2004; we purchased it from its second owner who towed it with a Mini Cooper! We toured mostly California with this trailer - the North Coast, the Sierra and a few trips to other destinations. In 2012, we decided to up-size, and bought a slightly larger 1964 Serro Scotty Sportsman trailer (still teardrop in style, but offering a dinette, an interior sink and two-burner stove) but needing a pretty complete rebuild.

Shortly after, I sold the Kit for what I had paid for it, to a new owner in S. California. With the larger Scotty trailer wedged in our garage (awaiting more extensive work than I originally realized), I found on-line (eBay) a beautiful reproduction 1958 Serro Scotty Sportsman Junior, built in West Virginia in 2011 by a true craftsman. Since we were headed back to Gettysburg anyway (for a week-long bicycle tour with my brother and four other pals), I bought this cute teardrop and picked it up in route to Gettysburg.

The 1958 Scotty was also built on the 4’X8’ plywood platform) making it similar in size to the Kit. We have toured extensively with it, including the trip all the way across the country, a three week trip up the CA/OR and WA coasts to Vancouver, BC, across BC to Spokane and back, and assorted other shorter CA trips to national parks like Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Pinnacles and more.

The arguments for a teardrop trailer include small and lightweight (about 700 to 800 pounds), so a small car or truck can tow it and still deliver good gas mileage (we tow ours with a 2013 Ford Focus 5-speed stick and get 26 MPG). I take special delight in pulling up beside giant diesel pickups, pulling 35' fifth-wheels (and getting about 10 MPG), realizing we are about as comfortable as they are! 

With their small size, teardrops fit in your garage, and their relatively small interior space mean two bodies keep us quite warm, even when outside temps drop into the 30s!  Our interior sleepting space is 4'X6'5", so plenty of length and space for two.  Being a hard-sided trailer, my spouse Susan no longer worries about bear attacks, as she did when we tent-camped! 

The teardrops also have a rear galley that often have built-in stove tops and/or sinks; ours offers reasonable storage space for Coleman stove and other camp gear. We also equipped both our teardrops with a rear bike carrier receiver, so we can load 2-3 bikes on back.  With your bedding already made up, camp gear loaded, it's a simple matter to pack a cooler and your clothes, and away we go!  The cons include being small (not a lot of fun on a rainy weekend, though we have been known to hibernate and watch movies on a laptop for hours on end)!

Teardrops are not the only choice in small camping rigs, which also include both soft-sided and hard-sided “tent trailers”, and smaller, fuel-efficient vans decked out as creative campers. The marketplace for any of these is both Craig’s List and eBay (search for both tear drop, and teardrop campers); I frequently see nice teardrop trailers advertised from anywhere from $2,500 to $7,500, depending on how nicely equipped.

You can also find, on the web, varied companies that rent teardrops for a few days or a week. Try one out, you may become hooked on the comfort afforded and hard-sided security, vs. tent-camping!

Pinnacles National Park, CA, a story of faults, volcanoes and eons of erosion!

Jutting up from the Gabilan Mountains south of Hollister, CA, are the spectacular remains of an ancient volcano – a volcano located 150 miles south, near Los Angeles! Pinnacles National Park lies on the San Andreas Fault, and is moving a few inches north each year, distancing itself from its mother volcano!

 

From top down, our campsite at Pinnacles Campground among ancient Oak trees; rocky canyon wall off the moderate Rim Trail; Bear Gulch Reservoir just above cave of same name; my spouse Susan at entrance to small cave in route to Bear Gulch Cave; and the stunning Machete Ridge, deeper into the High Peaks area.

It’s a landscape that features the effects of heat, water and wind constantly wearing away at an alien landscape, leaving rugged spines, deep canyons, eerie talus caves, verdant foliage, rushing streams and robust wildlife, from dear, wild turkeys and hogs, to the majestic California Condor with wingspans up to seven feet.

On a recent visit, we found light crowds and a very dry park scene (no campfires allowed in the one large campground, no smoking anywhere), but a lively and stunningly scenic place overall! We entered from CA Hwy 25, through the East Entrance, just 35 miles south of a very pleasant Hollister, CA (with a number of comfy motels, closest to the park). The park also has a West Entrance, from Hwy 146 out of Soledad, but no major visitor conveniences on this side (no road crosses this out-of-the-way national park).

We made our home for three days in the Pinnacles Campground, the parks only, but very nice, campground. Complete with store, visitor center, swimming pool (in season) and showers, if offers a wealth of trailer and tent sites, many with full electric hookups. And, a shuttle bus runs regularly, to take you to the two park main trailheads, about three miles away.

You cannot really get the flavor of Pinnacles without some hiking, so bring comfortable walking shoes and a water bottle. From the Bear Gulch Trailhead, a moderately strenuous one-mile hike takes you to the spooky Bear Gulch Cave (bring headlamps or flashlights) and Bear Gulch Reservoir; one can return on the Rim Trail for a change of scenery.  From this trailhead or from the Old Pinnacles Trailhead, one can venture further into the High Peaks area, for ventures to Balconies Cave and views of Machete Ridge and the Balconies Cliffs. This oddly sculpted landscape will leave you struggling for words to describe it!

This was our first trip; it made us hungry to return in the late spring and explore more of this stunning California wilderness. For more info on Pinnacles National Park, go to: www.nps.gov/pinn. And, plan a side trip to Mission San Antonio and to Big Sur (just south and west), while in this part of wild California! For other inspirational destinations in CA, see my blog http://LittlePlacesIKnow.blogspot.com!

Kings Canyon National Park; deep canyons, majestic Sierra peaks!

Entering Sequoia National Park, you will see distant views of Kings Canyon and Sierra peaks nearing 14,000 feet (nearby Mt. Whitney, at 14,500 feet, is tallest in the lower 48 states, but a bit out of view).

Photos, from top, down: View at Road's End, with some of Sierra monoliths that are targets for technical climbers; quintet of Sequoias in the General Grant Grove stand guard near parking area; the General Grant Sequoia looms out of a forest of giants; rocky peaks of the Sierra rise from Kings Canyon; the Kings River, which (along with glaciers) scuplted the canyon; scenic view of the Canyon, cloaked in haze from nearby Sierra forest fires; our Scotty teardrop at a Kings Canyon overlook; the Roaring River Falls, just a few blocks hike off the main highway.

Kings Canyon National Park is a sister park to Sequoia; they share common borders and one entry fee gets you into both majestic parks. The entry into the park is through the western piece of the park, and soon you experience the General Grant Grove of Sequoias, amazing in the number of huge trees in a confined, walkable setting. Nearby Kings Canyon Visitor Center and Grant Grove Village offers sequoia and historic perspective; lodging and several campgrounds are available here.

Continuing towards the canyon, stunning Sierra views are offered at every turn. You traverse through Sequoia National Forest, past the scenic Hume Lake turnoff, privately owned Kings Canyon Lodge, a rustic hotel and Boyden Cave as one tours along the frothing South Fork Kings River.

Reentering Kings Canyon Park, stop at the Cedar Grove Visitor Center and Village for unique canyon insights. Take a break at Roaring River Falls viewpoint (short video of the Falls is above), where a short hike takes you to a picturesque waterfall in a granite canyon.

Continue on to Zumwalt Meadow and Roads End, where you will see a number of trailheads and climbers preparing to scale the walls of varied monoliths. Campers will find a host of scenic campgrounds in the Kings Canyon itself, and lodges offer plenty of indoor respites for the weary traveler. Neighbor Sequoia Park also offers additional campgrounds and lodging options; go to www.nps.gov/seki.

While driving, keep your eyes open for deer, skunks, coyotes and, occasionally, black bears! While visiting Kings Canyon, plan a day-trip or longer to Sequoia National Park, it’s neighbor to the southeast. The General Sherman Grove, the Tunnel Tree and other points of interest are not to be missed. For a great lunch or dining stop, try the Wuksachi Hotel, central to Sequoia, with a wonderful dining room and quaint bar.

Plan a weekend trip or longer to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks; you will forever want to return! For more unique California destinations, see my blog, www.LittlePlacesIKnow.blogspot.com.

Sequoia National Park; home of the giants and much more!

Several things impress as you approach this majestic park and its neighbor, Kings Canyon National Park, from Fresno, CA (we arrived on Hwy 198 at the Ash Mountain entrance).  They include the rapid and scenic rise from near sea level in the San Joaquin Valley to 7,000 feet in the Sierra, the frequent number of immense Sequoia groves throughout the two parks, and incredible views of the Sierra, particularly in the Kings Canyon!



Photos, from top down: The General Sherman Tree amazes scores of tourists while Park Ranger offers insights; our teardrop Scotty trailer in Lodgepole Campground; our trailer and Focus with Kings Canyon as a backdrop in distance; entrace to General Sherman Tree walkway; Susan with a mid-size Sequoia stump; and our Focus passing under the Tunnel Tree!

We were camping on a recent visit (towing a small Scotty teardrop trailer), and made for a reserved spot in a delightful Sequoia campground, Lodgepole Camp, complete with village/store and visitor center. Nearby is a marvelous hotel, The Wuksachi, complete with great restaurant and cute bar. Sequoia and its neighbor Kings Canyon offer a host of other campgrounds and lodging options; go to www.nps.gov/seki.

Once settled into our campsite, we began our tour of the park by driving a few miles to the General Sherman Tree grove, and hiking downhill to the grove of over-sized trees. First impressions count, a lot – one is amazed that around every turn is a monster Sequoia, measuring 12 to 35 feet in diameter and topping out at almost 300 feet.

One does not expect to be so awed by the General Sherman itself, but it is “that much larger” than its neighbors, measuring 40 feet in diameter, 275 feet in height, and, in total volume of wood, the largest tree in the world! It makes for big crowds, as the most known feature in the park.

Nearby, a side road takes you to Moro Rock, worth the short hike for great views, past the “Auto Tree” (where cars once drove up upon the huge downed trunk) and to Tunnel Log, where one can drive your car or truck through the hollowed-out trunk. It makes for great photos!  Another option, in summer, is the road to Crystal Cave, for you spelunkers! While driving, keep your eyes open for deer, skunks, coyotes and, occasionally, black bears!

The adjoining Kings Canyon National Park offers its own share of stunning revelations, though the parks size and scope of its features require a day or more to fully explore! Plan a long weekend trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; you will forever want to return for deeper exploration!  For more interesting California destinations, see my blog, www.LittlePlacesIKnow.blogspot.com.

Sutter Creek, CA; rich in Gold Rush history

Two years before gold was discovered at Coloma in 1848, John Sutter sent out a party from Sacramento in search of timber. They found a grove rich in sugar pine and named one of the nearby streams Sutter’s Creek. Soon placer mining was in full swing, quite a village had sprung up and deep rock mining of rich ore deposits soon followed.

Photos, from top down: Hotel Sutter/Bellotti Hotel, Knight's Foundry, Methodist Church, one of many old homes surrounding downtown Sutter Creek, and Main Street looking southeast.

Incorporated in 1854, Sutter Creek was home to several hotels, saloons, dry-goods shops and churches. Today, just off Highway 49 and north of Jackson, Sutter Creek is one of the best-preserved of the California Gold Rush towns. Quaint Main Street (part of Highway 49 until a bypass skirted traffic around the city five years ago) offers a walkable stretch with a wealth of historic buildings dating from the 1850s.

Some of the more impressive include the Hotel Sutter/Bellotti Inn. Opened in 1860, it is one of the oldest hotels still in continuous operation in the state. The American Exchange Hotel preceded the Bellotti on this site, opening in 1858 and soon replaced by the Bellotti.

Two blocks south, Sutter Creek Methodist Church was constructed 1861, under leadership of Rev. I. B. Fish, and incorporated in 1862; the steeple was added in 1976 (church located at the corner of Main and Church). Main Street offers scores of historic edifices, many of them marked by plaques offering historical anecdotes – all of them home to busy shops, restaurants and wine-tasting rooms.

Just three blocks east of Main on Eureka is the old Knight Foundry. It was the only water-powered foundry in the US, that, until a few years ago, was in continuous operation since 1873. Sam Knight designed the water wheel which was used world-wide, often powering early hydroelectric plants throughout California, Utah and Oregon.

Seven-foot versions of the Knight water wheel powered the big stamp mills in gold mining days. The 42 inch model, used on Sutter Creek on the south side of the foundry, helped in manufacture of the heavy dredge buckets used on the San Francisco Bay, San Joaquin Delta and Seattle harbors, then hauled by freight wagon and mule teams to the railroad and shipped to their destination.

Sutter Creek is home to a baker’s dozen of bed and breakfasts and motels, with scores of quaint shops and restaurants.  For a great resource, go to www.suttercreek.org; the site also offers a host of annual events, such as the November 9 Winefest on historic Main Street! Take a day or weekend trip to Sutter Creek soon and revel in Gold Rush history!  For other quaint California and western getaways, go to http://littleplacesiknow.blogspot.com/.

Lake Tahoe and Tallac Historic Site offers glimpse into fabulous summer retreats of very rich!

 

Period kitchen at Tallac homesite

Lake Tahoe, CA visitors will often cherish memories of Camp Richardson, just 3 miles north on Hwy 89 of South Lake Tahoe – but far fewer will have visited the adjoining Tallac Historic Site.

Until recently, I assumed it was an archeological site, and had never toured off of the highway to find out! Take the time to tour three perfectly preserved grand estates right off Hwy 89, the former lake-front grand homes of the Baldwin Estate, the Pope Estate and Valhalla.

Once regarded as the “Grand Resort of Tahoe”, these beautiful old homes were the entertainment capital of the Tahoe area, with well-heeled guests staying over for grand parties, with fine food, bands, dancing and the like. The Tahoe Heritage Foundation along with the US Forest Service (www.tahoeheritage.org/events-and-programs-2/tallac-historic-site) operate programs and events at both the Baldwin and Pope Estates. The Valhalla property, used regularly as the site for many Tahoe organizations’ events, is run by the Tahoe Tallac Association (www.valhallatahoe.com).

The Baldwin Museum is the place to start your tour. Here you’ll find docents, explanatory videos, the Baldwin Room, the Washoe Room and a recreated 1930’s kitchen. A gift shop sells books and merchandise specific to the history of the home, as well as tickets to events and programs. Tallac Historic Site is next to the shady Kiva picnic area and Taylor Creek Visitor Center.

The many paved walkways are handicapped-accessible, and also offer marvelous opportunities for easy, flat and scenic bicycling. The attractions all offer year-round access, though Tahoe snows may require cross-country skis or snowshoes in winter. Just a mile away is the Fallen Leaf Lake Campground, nearby the scenic lake of the same name.

And, the Tallac site borders Camp Richardson, with store, historic lodging in the old hotel, cabins for rent and a fine restaurant, the Beacon, on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Take the time to explore this hidden gem on the shores of Lake Tahoe; for more options in California, see LittlePlacesIKnow@blogspot.com.


Baldwin Museum is place to begin your Tallac tour



Lake Tahoe offers a number of lakeside dining options, like The Beacon
at Camp Richardson, or Beaches, in S. Lake Tahoe!

Kayakers enjoy Lake Tahoe, with rentals available at Camp Richardson

Weekend get-a-way by bike, or by foot, in Stockton, CA!

Ready for an “in-city weekend adventure”? Dust off those bicycles, and let’s hit the trails right here in Stockton!

Photos, from top down: DeRosa University Center is heart of a UOP biking or walking adventure; depending upon the season, adventurers may see a UOP athletic team in practice or readying for a Big West match (UOP Women's Tennis Team); for explorers to downtown Stockton, tour the Promenade around the Deepwater Channel, home to the new Waterfront Marina and much more!

Center of our focus, the Calaveras Bike Trail and University of Pacific, right in middle of the trail. From home, you can bike (or walk) to the Calaveras Trail, or drive to UOP and park on campus to start your adventure. The Calaveras Trail runs (on the west) from Buckley Cove Park, at end of March Lane, all the way east to Cherokee (overall, about 9.3 miles, end-to-end).

The beautiful UOP campus is right in the center; a pedestrian/bike bridge carries you across the old river to the DeRosa University Center, open most weekends for drinks or lunch. From UOP to Buckley Cove, it is about 4.5 miles each way; to Cherokee going east, about 3.8 miles each way – scenic, quiet, and no traffic, good for newby riders or walkers!

From UOP, riders can also take a route south on Kensington and Baker to reach the downtown Stockton waterfront, the Stockton Ballpark, Stockton Arena and other downtown attractions. These are wide, shady boulevards, with light traffic, and this route shows off some of the city’s finest old residential architecture!

For a good map of these trails and other Stockton “safe routes for cyclists” go to: http://www.stocktongov.com/files/BikewaysExistingMap.pdf. The UOP campus also offers a number or easy biking/walking routes, away from traffic. Lot’s of attractions, and depending on time of year, you might see one of UOP’s athletic teams practicing, or, about to face Big West competition!

And, mark your calendars: the next ‘Second Saturday Family Bike Ride’, Saturday, Sept. 14, 11 AM, starting and finishing at DeRosa University Center at UOP. This event will cover about six miles, heading south on Kensington and Baker from UOP, then west on Rose to Victory Park and the Haggin Museum. Riders should bring a picnic lunch and bike lock; after a lunch discussion of family bike safety, riders will get a tour of the Haggin Museum, with free admission for youth. Before hopping on those bikes, check them for “working order”; helmets for both kids and adults are highly recommended.

Enjoy a scenic, energetic weekend right in Stockton! For more insight, contact Tim Viall of the SJ Bike Coalition, tviall@msn.com, or call 209.969.3875.  And, for more weekend get-a-ways, go to: www.LittlePlacesIKnow@blogspot.com.

Copperopolis, CA offers glimpse of old copper and gold mining in Sierra foothills!

While Copperopolis, CA, just 30 miles east of Stockton on Highway 4 in the Sierra foothills, is best known as a copper producer, gold was discovered here in 1858 - two years before the copper discovery.

By 1974, the Madame Felix Mining District, just north of town, had produced over 200,000 ounces of gold. In the 1980s, the Meridian Gold Company re-started the mining operation, and produced another 300,000 ounces of gold; all told, gold worth $800 million at today’s prices!

Start your tour at Copperopolis Park on the O’Brynes Ferry Road in the heart of old town, with a wealth of old mining machinery from the late 1880s to the early 20th century and outdoor displays that explain the history of the copper and gold mining days. You’ll see old photos and history of the Old Corner Saloon, the Congregational Church, old Armory (now home to Copperopolis Olive Oil), Copperopolis Hotel and other Gold Rush-era buildings, all of them still standing.

At the south end of town (O’Brynes and Telegraph intersection), see massive tailings, the remnants of the huge copper smelter that operated here until 1929. Then take Telegraph Road 3/4s of a mile west to the new Town Center, where a new Town Square commercial center was built five years ago. In the heart of the center is a cute bandstand, surrounded by interesting shops and good food options such as Panini’s Italian, Griff’s BBQ, Cruisers Ice Cream and Snaps Coffee and Wine Bar. This is a great place for kids to play on the village green and adults to window shop!

From town, scenic Lake Tulloch is just six miles south and Saddle Creek Golf Course just four miles for those golfers seeking challenge. For a scenic route back to the San Joaquin Valley, take the Rock Creek Road north to Salt Springs Reservoir, with nice park and picnic area on the west shore, and continue on the road, where a one-lane, bumpy but scenic road drive brings you out at Milton in the low foothills. Watch for wild turkey sightings on this drive, and, maybe bobcats or coyotes if you are vigilant!

For more insights into N. and Central California, go to my blog: LittlePlacesIKnow@blogspot.com.

Copperopolis historic park tells tales of the mines and features old mining equipment, picnic area

Huge old winch once worked in the copper mines around the city

Copperopolis's new Town Center offers quaint shops, fine restaurants and weekend activities in pretty city park in front of the new Town Hall; it's just a half-mile from old Copperopolis!



Wine, beer, classic cars, good eats; it's Lodi, CA

Wine, beer, classic cars, good eats…it’s Lodi, CA, of course.

And, Fall is the perfect time to visit! It’s the wine grape harvest season, the Lodi Road Trip Passport is back for its second year (more, below) and the weather is at its finest! But, add beer, good food and classic cars and you have reason to visit for several days, or several different trips!

Food can include a number of great stops. For breakfast, chose the iconic Richmaid Restaurant on Cherokee, serving Lodians since 1938! For lunch, try Phillips Farms Café and Michael David Winery on Highway 12 just west of Lodi. Lodi Beer on School Street offers a varied selection of award-winning beers and always tasty food for lunch or dinner in a classic brew-pub setting.

If classic cars are your interest, check out the Vintage Reserve Garage on Cherokee, right across the street from Richmaid! This new “Gasoline Alley-style garage” (in beautifully remodeled space, formerly a Salvation Army location) shows off about 50 antique, classic or muscle cars from the 1920s to the 1970s; these stunning specimens like the 1939 Ford convertible pictured are timeless treasures.

The Lodi Road Trip Passport is back for its second year. This September 1-30 event features Lodi Appellation’s vintners with fun activities like cycling and vineyard tours, grape stomps and barrel tastings, live music, winemaker dinners and many more reasons to visit the 45+ participating wineries and a host of restaurants! Passports are currently on sale for $20; visit www.lodiroadtrip.com, or call the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at 209.365.0621.

Also, download the Lodi Wine app for your smart phone, LoCA, which will feed you steady updates on all the glorious happenings throughout Lodi in the fall. See you at a wine tasting!  For more ideas for getaways in central California, see LittlePlacesIKnow@blogspot.com.

Classic 1939 Ford convertible is typical of 40+ cars at the Vintage Reserve Garage on Lodi's east side

Michael David Winery and Phillip's Farm Cafe are just west of Lodi on Hwy 12

Lodi wine appellations are gaining a world-wide following for quality and tasty wines

Gold Rush history; Jackson and Mokelumne Hill, CA

Looking for a nearby dose of 49er’s history and the Gold Rush?  Take the 1.5 hour drive to Valley Springs, Jackson and south to Mokelumne Hill!

The most scenic way to get there from Stockton: take Hwy 26 east to Valley Springs, then go north on Paloma Road to Watertown Road and turn onto Pardee Dam Road. This takes you right across Pardee Dam, with stunning views of the lake and past a wonderful EBMUD campground (if you are into camping and/or fishing, make a note to return).

Continue on Stony Creek Road, up a beautiful valley and right to the south edge of Jackson. Jackson is county seat and a very vibrant old and new town. Check out old Main Street, deep in Sierra gold history for a variety of cute shops, and stop at the National Hotel at the south end of Main. Built in 1852 and visited by many noteworthy guests over its history, this Gold Rush Hotel was extensively renovated a few years ago; stop in Stanley’s Steakhouse in the hotel’s lower level for libation or lunch. Once refreshed, visit the old Kennedy Mine and the historic Kennedy Mine Tailing Wheel #4, for a short dose of early mining history. And, if you like the casino scene, the Jackson Rancheria Casino is a big part of “new Jackson”. 

Continue south on Hwy 49 to the wonderful old town of Mokelumne Hill. Along the way to “Moke Hill” you cross the Mokelumne River; just across the bridge is a lovely waterfront park where you can get an up-close view of the river. At the top of the hill is the old town, with a variety of well-preserved Gold Rush buildings. Check out the Leger Hotel; a portion of the building served as Calaveras County Courthouse from 1852 to 1866.

When the courthouse was moved to San Andreas, George Leger made it part of his hotel; and when fire damaged the building it was restored in 1879 and renamed the Leger Hotel. Today the Leger offers quaint rooms and delicious meals in its Whitewater Grill. Take the time to walk the four blocks of old Mokey Hill and you will feel the ghosts of Gold Rush days!

Pictured below are diners in Stanley’s Steakhouse, a part of the National Hotel in Jackson, the scenic Mokelumne River off Hwy 49, the historic Leger Hotel in Mokelumne Hill, and the east end of the city, still rich in Gold Rush architecture!

Diners gather at the bar in Stanley's Steakhouse in Jackson's National Hotel

The historic Leger Hotel in Mokey Hill is a gem, dating to the Gold Rush



Mokelumne River is scenic and offers rafting, swimming in season

Historic east Mokelumne Hill retains much of its history, dating to heart of 49ers Gold Rush

Mokelumne Hill's downtown area offers a shady park with activities for the kids!