East of "the five," State Road 99 is my preferred north-south route in the Stockton/Sacramento…read morearea. Cons: * Lots of truck traffic. Probably carries nearly as many trucks as I-5. * Tule fog (in season!). * Only two lanes through many towns. * Rural traffic includes not only 45-mph ranch pickups, but also crawling farm equipment. Pros: * Truckers seem more considerate than on I-5, possibly because they don't have to deal with as many bozos. Lower rate of road-closing accidents. * XLNT new piece of asphalt near Galt. Smooth enough for roller blading. * Laid back vibe. No one takes offense at a 95mph shoulder pass, hotly challenging the (hypothetical) passer to race!. In conclusion, stay off my 99.

As a teacher, I saw my special education students neglected. The principal once hired Scoot…read moreSubstitutes for an afternoon while teachers gathered for a meeting. I returned to my classroom and found feces all over the room and a student covered in his own feces. The principal knew the subs could not diaper students but called them anyways. Do not allow a student with special needs to attend this school. It is dangerous.

Beautiful and peaceful park/campus. It's a mixture of old historic buildings, new buisnesses,…read moreschools, grassy areas, ample parking, rose garden, water tower and a little lake/pond. Nice place to snaps some artsy pics or take a leisurly stroll. Would be 5 stars if there were public restrooms, but overall a great not so hidden gem.

The University of the Pacific (UOP)use to have a top tier football program until 1995. The…read moreimpressive football stadium was built in 1950 and later was renovated to seat up to 44,000. The stadium was reamed to Almos Alonzo Stagg in 1988. It was demolished in 2014 to make way for the current athletic facilities (tennis center, soccer field, and field hockey field). I remember attending football games and watching the San Francisco 49ers (Steve Young, Jerry Rice) practicing at the summer camps here. The 9000 square feet outdoor plaza was dedicated in 2022 to highlight the legendary UOP football history and its community impact. There is a seating area under canopy shade structures and history boards with pictures and information that line the plaza. It is a cool inspirational spot to gather, celebrate, and remember the rich UOP football history and community contributions not only to the City of Stockton but to the greater football community.

Drive anywhere through old midtown Lodi and see the Lodi tower. Communications gear hugs the tower…read morelike barnacles, what a sight! Driving along W. Locust Street offers not only a view of the the tower, there are beautiful traditional California bungalows too.

While doing some local family research, I learned that relatives of mine were buried here, and…read morevisiting Harmony Grove Cemetery was unexpectedly moving. It is a beautiful, historic little cemetery tucked away from noise and traffic. When I visited, it was foggy and quiet, the kind of stillness that feels comforting rather than lonely. The trees throughout the grounds are absolutely beautiful and add so much to the calm, timeless feeling of the place. It is a peaceful place to walk and reflect. You can tell this cemetery is cared for with real intention, especially the children's graves. Each one had a small trinket placed there, and it was clear that whoever tends to them truly cares. That detail alone stayed with me. Harmony Grove feels hidden in the best way, respectful, gentle, and full of history. I am grateful this place exists and that my family rests somewhere so serene.

This is a nice simple little church in a rural location. We stopped here to try and take a look but…read morethe building was closed, as were the restrooms, and we couldn't find any type of attendant. There is a small cemetery behind the church where we were also unable to locate anyone. I later read that there are no scheduled viewing hours established for the church at this time. The website says the interior has seating for 80 and at only $200 for a 4 hour rental it might be a decent location for a small wedding or event. However, there is virtually no parking (unless you count the paths in the cemetery or a small dirt area between the church and neighboring residence) and the yard area in the front that is well maintained is also quite small. Of the few interior photos I was able to view, it appears quite simple and dated and I have no idea what kind of restroom you will be submitting your guests too. Definitely call and schedule a thorough viewing.