Here's what to do and where to go near Stockton, San Joaquin County to escape summer heat
Most of California, like much of the nation, has been sweltering under near record-setting heat in the last month or so. Looking at the forecast for the next several weeks, local temperatures are predicted to continue in the mid 90s to triple digits. Hence, where to go to enjoy a day and cool off?
Here are recommendations tested with our family over the past 30 some years.
The article offers suggestions starting on the north end of the county, headed south, then reverses course and heads north up the Sierra foothills.
Start with a long-time favorite, Lodi’s Lodi Lake park, with shady picnic areas and the option to spend a good part of the day cooling off in Lodi Lake. If you have paddleboards or kayaks, you can also venture out on the adjoining Mokelumne River to extend your cool tour of that lovely waterway still running strong with the last of Sierra snowmelt. Grab a late lunch or early dinner at Lodi favorites like Lodi Beer Co. or Richmaid Restaurant to complete the day.
In Stockton, two favorite locations will appeal to kids and grown-ups. First is the long-loved Pixie Woods, with the dragon water-play fountain. Enjoy the park’s carousel, ride the Pixie Express train or float through the Pirate Lagoon aboard the Pixie Queen. The dragon is a special favorite on hot days, with a water feature is a large water fountain made in shape of a coiled dragon. Grandson Jack loved the dragon on a 90 degree day. The boat ride on the Pixie Woods Lagoon, taking us past the pirate’s Lair and a Dinosaur forest that was quite realistic, with turtles, egrets and more – probably Jack’s favorite ride in the park.
Plan an afternoon at Weber Point Events Center in downtown Stockton, and let kids and young adults run wild in the huge water feature with pulsating spouts and jets in a variety of different schematics. Kids always delight in this largest of county water fountains. A host of restaurants with favorites such as Cancun and Casa Flores, are within blocks of the park to the east, and the Regal Stockton City Center theater offers cool afternoon movies, as well. Speaking of movies as a way to cool off, the coolest of all places, the Bob Hope Theatre, is showing the movie classic "Cool Hand Luke" on the big screen of the 1930s art-deco theater on Sunday, Aug.14, at 2 p.m.
Manteca hit critical mass for hot weather abatement solutions when the Great Wolf Lodge opened recently. Great Wolf is a full-service hotel with a spectacular waterpark with such options as Fort McKenzie, a four-story water/treehouse feature, Slap Tail Pond, Crooked Creek where tubers can float their cares away, the River Canyon Run, the Otter Run, the Cub Paw Pool (for toddlers) and more. Overnight guests get access to the waterpark, and day passes go for $125, or, $100 for half day pass.
Consider a long-day trip, or an overnight venture into the nearby Sierra. Starting on the south end, plan a day trip to Knights Ferry and its historic covered bridge. The surrounding park offers numerous spots to cool off in the Stanislaus River, and history buffs will delight in the old bridge and nearby mill and historic small downtown of Knights Ferry (stop for a treat in Knights Ferry Creamery and Sweets).
Make a day trip or overnight road trip up into the Sierra to Pinecrest Lake, 30 miles east of Sonora on Highway 108, or Lake Alpine, up Highway 4, just past Bear Valley resort. Both those High Sierra lakes feature nearby resorts for overnight stays, handy restaurant options and, at 6,000 to 7,000 feet in elevation, are typically 20 degrees cooler temperatures than you’ll find in the San Joaquin Valley. Both lakes are surrounded by nearby forest service campgrounds, for those seeking a camping outing.
Additional destinations include a trip west; head out of Lodi on Highway 12 into the Delta, to Tower Park Resort, with swimming options and paddleboard, kayak and boat rentals. Continue further west on Highway 12 and explore the resorts on the Delta Loop, offering water solutions on the Delta, or continue all the way to Rio Vista where the Sandy Beach County Park offers access to cooling dips in the Sacramento River. Afterwards, check out the local treasure, Foster’s Big Horn Restaurant, where the former owner’s big game heads are mounted along the back walls, showing off his then big-game hunting prowess.
Or, look north to Sacramento for swimming options along the American River Parkway, as well as the California State University, Sacramento Aquatic Center on the river’s Lake Natoma, offering a world-class array of water options, complete with paddleboard, kayak and sailboat rentals on the always cool and pristine lake.
Plan swim-safe practices; pack plenty of sunscreen, take and use life preservers and always know the location of young or novice swimmers. Stay cool and swim safe!
For more information: American River Parkway, regionalparks.saccounty.net; CSU-Sacramento Aquatic Center, sacstateaquaticcenter.com; Delta Loop, deltaloop.net; Friends of the Fox CA/Bob Hope Theatre, foxfriends.org; Great Wolf Lodge, greatwolf.com; Knights Ferry, knightsferry.com; Lake Alpine and Pinecrest Lake, fs.usda.gov; Lodi Lake, lodi.gov; Pixie Woods and Weber Point Event Center, stocktonca.gov; Tower Park, towerparkresort.com.
Reach Tim at tviall@msn.com; enjoy your NorCal travels!
This article originally appeared on The Record: Visit these places on road trips to escape Stockton's heat
