Lodi Historic Walking Tour

Expiration: 365 days after purchase

  • This self-guided historic walking tour is in partnership with Explore Lodi.

  • The tour includes 18 locations around Lodi or historical interest.

  • Take a quick quiz to check-in to a location to earn points towards a reward.

  • Tour included historical facts & tour guide videos.


Included Venues

See locations on an interactive map.

Site Where A&W Root Beer Was Invented, 13 W Pine St

What is it? At this address in 1919 Roy Allen began serving his new root beer recipe to soldiers marching in Lodi’s World War I homecoming parade.

Fun Fact: Root beer was intended to be a healthy alternative to alcoho

Celebrate the Harvest Statue, 35 S School St

What is it? A display of the satisfaction that comes with a good harvest.

Fun Fact: Lodi has 85+ boutique wineries and 70 tasting rooms. Lodi’s Visitor Center at 25 N School St has maps to help you discover your favorites.

Celebrate the Harvest: A Bronze Love Letter to Lodi

Located at the corner of School and Oak Streets in the heart of downtown, the Celebrate the Harvest sculpture is more than just a landmark—it’s a "love story" cast in bronze.

This 18-foot masterpiece by artist Rowland Cheney symbolizes the timeless relationship between the earth and the vine. The sculpture features a turn-of-the-century couple representing the soul of the wine industry: she embodies the nurturing essence of the soil, while he represents the strength and vision of the laborers who till it. Together, they raise a toast to the abundance of the land and the future of the harvest.

Quick Facts:

  • Artist: Rowland Cheney

  • Dedicated: October 16, 2009

  • Commissioned By: City of Lodi Art in Public Places Program

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Queen Zinfandel Mural, 21 W Lodi Ave

What is it? Bertha deAlmado was queen of Lodi’s 1907 Tokay Grape Carnival.

Fun Fact: She paraded in a decorated carriage pulled by four white horses.

Women’s Suffrage Mural, corner of Sacramento and Pine Streets

What is it? The name “Cycles of SuƯrage” refers to the ongoing fight for voting rights and for the new freedom that bicycles brought to women.

Fun Fact: The left half looks like 1920 and the right half looks like 2020.

1910 Carnegie Library, 305 W Pine St

What is it? A library building paid for by Andrew Carnegie of Pittsburgh, PA.

Fun Fact: Lodi’s Woman’s Club raised funds for the land and sidewalks.

Laura DeForce Gordon, 325 W Pine St

Who is it? Lodi’s most famous resident, a nationally known suffragist.

Fun Fact: Laura gave séances and “trance-talked” throughout her life.

In 1906 Laura helped found Lodi’s Woman’s Club. There is a bronze plaque dedicated to her outside of the Woman’s Club building.

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World of Wonders Science Museum

What is it? A hands-on science museum for kids and adults.

Fun Fact: Inside, you can beat a drum with just your pulse.

More Info: The World of Wonders (WOW) Science Museum, located in historic downtown Lodi, California, is an engaging, hands-on science museum designed to inspire discovery for all ages. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits that delve into topics such as energy, electricity, magnetism, and optics, fostering a deeper understanding of the world around us.

The museum also offers educational programs, field study trips, and special events, making it a dynamic destination for families, students, and science enthusiasts. Additionally, the WOW Science Store provides a variety of educational gifts, including brain teasers, science kits, and unique items like astronaut ice cream and edible insects.

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Sandhill Cranes Fountain, 24 S Sacramento St

Located at the Historic Lodi Train Station

What is it? Thousands of Sandhills arrive in the Delta near Lodi every winter.

Fun Fact: The sculpture’s name is “Leaving and Coming Home,” reminding us that the Sandhill Cranes migrate and we commute by bus and train.

Lodi Lake

What is it? “The Jewel of Lodi” – a 100-acre recreational treasure.

Fun Fact: Lodi Lake has kayak and paddleboard rentals and a Nature Trail.

More Info:

Lodi Lake is a beautiful recreational park situated in the heart of Lodi, California. The park surrounds a serene lake, offering opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Visitors can enjoy picnicking on the grassy shores, hiking along the scenic trails, or simply relaxing in the peaceful natural surroundings. Lodi Lake is a popular destination for families, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

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1890 Hinode Store/Miyajima Hotel, 4 N. Main Street

What is it? The oldest store owned by Japanese pioneers in Lodi.

Fun Fact: The metal rings in the curb nearby show where farmers used to tie up their horses and wagons.

Cucumis Club Mural, 112 S Church St

What is it? Lodi’s Cucumis Social and Study Club was a social group.

Fun Fact: In the late 1800s, Lodi was the “Watermelon Capital of the World.”

Packing Sheds Mural, 125 S School St

What is it? Lodi grows stone fruits (peaches, nectarines, cherries), nuts, and grapes. Farmers bring their produce to be packed and put on trains.

Not-Fun Fact: The work is hard and fast, so No Talking Allowed.

1887 Ice House, 21 E Locust St

What is it? When Lodi began adding ice to the train cars, the shipped produce lasted much longer.

Fun Fact: Some of the building’s walls are original – two layers of brick separated by cork.

Produce Preservation: The building's primary purpose was to supply ice for train cars. Adding ice allowed shipped produce to stay fresh significantly longer, enabling Lodi farmers to reach more distant markets.

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Japan Town Mural

What is it? A visual history of Lodians of Japanese descent.

Fun Fact: Shopkeeper Mary Masui, who lived and worked at 4 N Main St, was a “picture bride” from Japan.

Buddhist Church of Lodi

What is it? The center of Lodi’s Japanese-American life since 1929.

Fun Fact: It was called a “Buddhist Mission” before World War II.

1876 Granger Store & Oddfellows Hall

What is it? The oldest building in downtown Lodi.

Fun Fact: Because it’s brick, it survived the big fires of 1887 and 2020.

1907 Mission Arch, Pine & Sacramento Streets

The Lodi Arch, situated on E Pine St in Lodi, California, is a historic landmark that stands as a symbol of the city's rich heritage and community pride. Erected in 1907, the arch serves as a gateway to downtown Lodi and greets visitors with its distinctive design and grandeur.

1907 Railroad Depot, 24 N. Sacramento Street

What is it? Lodi’s train station for Amtrak and Union Pacific Railroad.

Fun Fact: This depot was originally built a half-block north. In 1999 it was gently moved here to make way for Lodi’s new parking garage.