Enjoy a Summer Day at Oak Grove Regional Park!

Entrance to Oak Grove Regional Park

As the dog days of summer begin to dwindle down and we all to start to set our sights on fall, you may be looking to make the most of this last month of summer.  A Stockton summer wouldn’t really be right without a trip to Oak Grove Regional Park.  Located near Spanos Park West, Oak Grove Regional Park boasts a gorgeous 180 acre oak tree preserve that has truly become a treasured staple of Stockton, California. Besides being the home to fishing derbies and the upcoming Annual Labor Day Pow-Wow, Oak Grove Regional Park features a wide range of activities and points of interest for the young and old alike.

Take a paddleboat ride!

Anglers and fisherman are welcome to fish from the 10-acre lake stocked with seasonal catfish and trout.  Fishing at Oak Grove costs $3 for those 16 and older and a California fishing license is required.  If getting out on the water is more your style, enjoy the weekend paddleboats and aqua cycles.  Thirty minute water “vehicle” rentals are available from 10:00am to 6:00pm every April weekend till the first weekend of October.  Standard paddleboats run $5 for a thirty minute rental and specialty paddleboats and aquacycles run at $10.  Challenge friends to a boat race or simply enjoy paddling around the lake and enjoying the views.

Oak Nature Center at Oak Grove Regional Park

Learn about the flora and fauna native to the park and the San Joaquin Valley at the Oak Grove Nature Center.  Open weekends from noon to 4:00pm (and weekdays by appointment), the Nature Center is completely run by volunteer docents who provide educational programs to the community and assist in the development and maintenance of the Nature Center and its outlying gardens.  The Nature Center is full of displays and dioramas of live native animals, preserved wildlife specimens, and a Claudia Landeen School science project on owl diets.  If you’re a history fan, check out artifacts of the native Yokut and Miwok people who once called Central California home.  Enjoy hands-on exhibits like using microscopes to examine specimens and children’s activities including nature block puzzles, Native American pump drill experiments, and acorn pounding.  Budding botanists will also enjoy the Native Plant Garden behind the Nature Center.  Make sure to check out the special events at the Nature Center, like Astronomy in the Park happening September 3rd and Nature Nights on August 26th!

Nature trail at Oak Grove

If you're feeling up for a stroll, take a hike through Oak Grove Regional Park’s two nature trails.  The Yokuts Trail (.4 mile long) and the Miwok Trail (1.8 miles long) are handicapped accessible trails that offer the perfect chance to see native plants, animals, and oaks dating back centuries. While meandering through the park, you’ll also see that Oak Grove has four separate playgrounds.  Three modern playgrounds complete with swings and jungle gyms and a rock play area perfect for safe climbing allows for little ones to burn off some extra energy.  And for sports fans, Oak Grove Regional Park is home to an 18-hole disc golf course, expansive lawns for impromptu soccer games, and horseshoe pits.  

Willow Shelter at Oak Grove

Most importantly, Oak Grove Regional Park is so special to Stockton because it’s a great place to spend with family and friends.  Set up a picnic on the grass or on a bench near the lake.  The park's resident ducks and Canadian Geese will be sure to beg for any spare bread!  Or if you’re celebrating a big event or anniversary, Oak Grove offers many rental facilities and outdoor picnic shelters.  A list of available rental facilities along with prices and rental information can be accessed here.  A favorite among family reunions, Oak Grove can also accommodate large groups looking to barbeque and enjoy some time out in the sun.   

View of the Oak Grove Ampitheater

Oak Grove is open daily (except Christmas) 8:00am to the posted closing.  There is a parking fee of $5 per vehicle ($10 for vehicles over 22ft) and leashed pets are welcome with a $1 charge.  Oak Grove Regional Park is located at 4520 W. Eight Mile Road in Stockton, California. If you have any questions, please call (209) 953-8800.

Have a great rest of the summer, everyone!

2011 Saint Basil's Greek Festival in Stockton

If you ask anyone who grew up in Stockton about their fondest Stockton summer memories, they will most probably recall a warm September night spent gobbling down delicious gyros, hoarding a pink box full of Greek pastries and confectionery treats, and dancing to authentic Greek music under blue and white tents at the annual Saint Basil’s Greek Festival.  This year marks the festival’s 52nd year of bringing Greek food and culture to Stockton.  

Running September 9th through September 11th, 2011, the Saint Basil’s Greek Festival is held in the outside courtyard of the Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church near the corner of March Lane and Pacific Avenue.  Be sure to come with an empty stomach—because from opening till closing, festivalgoers can purchase a wide range of Greek food including lamb and chicken gyros, spanakopita (phyllo pastry with spinach and feta cheese), fresh lamb that is roasting on a spit, Greek salads, and much, much more.  Top it off with a Greek beer, ouzo (an anise-flavored liquor), or coffee!  

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you definitely won’t want to miss the freshly made loukoumades (a fried-dough pastry soaked in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon and sesame--pictured to the left).  You’ll also want to stop by the dining hall to pick out some treats from their wide selection of Greek pastries and breads--just be sure to get there early because they do sell out quick!  All time favorites like baklava are sold, as well as kourambiethes (powdered sugar-covered cookies), Greek breads, and karythopita (Greek walnut cake).

For those looking to soak in Greek culture, the Festival includes live Greek music and traditional Greek dance performances, with plenty of chances for festivalgoers to join in as well.  There are also opportunities each day to take a tour of the beautiful Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church.  Also, browse the local vendor stands for jewelry, vases, candles, purses, and other hand-crafted items.

The Saint Basil’s Greek Festival is a must see Stockton festival that never disappoints.  On both Friday and Saturday, September 9th and 10th, the festival runs from noon till 11:00pm, while the festival runs from noon till 8:00pm on Sunday, September 11th.  Admission can be purchased at the entrance.  See you there!

For more information about the 52nd Annual Saint Basil's Greek Festival, visit our website!