#98 of 100 Reasons to Smile in Stockton, California

For years, bird enthusiasts have flocked to the Stockton Constructed Wetlands.  Located at the Stockton Wastewater Treatment Tertiary Facility, the city of Stockton has turned part of this wastewater treatment plant into a wetland and birdwatching mecca for local bird species--the Audubon Society recently recorded over 7,300 birds representing 55 species!  The public is welcome to come out, just make an appointment a week in advance.  Don't forget to bring some binoculars!

Check out the city of Stockton's page on the Stockton Constructed Wetlands to make your appointment for Stockton birdwatching today!  The Stockton Constructed Wetlands are located at 2500 Navy Drive in Stockton, California.

#97 of 100 Reasons to Smile in Stockton, California

Gian's Delicatessen on Stockton's Miracle Mile is a great place to grab a delicious freshly-made sandwich, potato salad, focaccia, Italian beverage, and much more!  Gian's also offers a variety of Italian goods to purchase such as pasta, pesto, candy, olive oil, and tiramisu (you know you want to take some home!).  Grab a bite to eat and stock up on all of the good stuff.

Be sure to check out Gian's Delicatessen on Stockton's Miracle Mile on 2112 Pacific Avenue.

#96 of 100 Reasons to Smile in Stockton, California

The oldest NASCAR track west of the Mississippi and named one of the top 10 NASCAR Short Tracks for the last three years, the new Stockton 99 Speedway brings the excitement of racing and NASCAR home!  The 1/4 mile Stockton 99 Speedway plays host to a range of events such as the NASCAR Whelen All American Series, K&N Pro Series West, bike and stunt shows, swap meets, and much more.  Treat the family to a night out at the track and catch all of the racing action!

Catch all of the fun at the Stockton 99 Speedway!  Follow the link for much more information and the racing schedule.

5 to Try on this 3 Day Weekend

As we plunge into summer with this Memorial Day holiday weekend, why not try a few things in Stockton that you might have forgotten about during those not so sunny months? Here are five things we think your weekend shouldn’t be without…

1. Kayak on the Delta
 Call the Stockton Marina to make a reservation then head down to the water! Rentals are $10 an hour or $25 for the whole day. (8:30 am to 4:30 pm) Kayaking is a great way to get exercise because it builds strength in the core, arms and legs. Plus, you are out on the water so you can soak up some rays!

2.Visit The Fruit Bowl 
Located at 8767 Waterloo Rd in Stockton and open daily7am-6pm, The Fruit Bowl is in it’s 65th season! With homemade pies, pastries, salads, paninis, salsas and fresh out of the orchard fruits, they have something delicious for every palate. Stop in for some fresh produce and take in the beautiful sights and smells.

3.Relax in Oak Grove Regional Park 
This 180-acre park is perfect for an outdoor afternoon. Bring the treats you picked up at The Fruit Bowl and spread out on the lawn for a lazy day picnic. You can get out on the lake by renting paddleboats and aquacycles. Explore the Nature Center or the trails. If you want to plan an even bigger celebratory event, they also have rental facilities available.

4. Cool off with Gleason’s Ice Cream 
This great little mom and pop ice cream shop not only dishes out banana splits that have been described as “stupid good”, but they are also the makers of our favorite Asparagus Ice Cream! While you can’t get the Asparagus Ice Cream year round, a scoop of any flavor of this hand-made ice cream is worth the trip to Gleason’s.

5. Run Around Pixie Woods 
Entertain the kids (or bring out your own inner child) with a trip to Pixie Woods! A Stockton staple since 1954, Pixie Woods has entertained more than 1 million guests! Just open for the season at the beginning of May, there is no better time to take a ride on the train or pick out your horse on the carousel. Plus, this family outing is a great deal with unlimited ride packages retailing at only $8!

Whatever you choose to do this weekend, get out in Stockton and Celebrate!

#95 of 100 Reasons to Smile in Stockton, California

The Downtown Stockton Alliance's Downtown Ambassadors make us smile!  Experts in Downtown Stockton, the Ambassadors are fountains of knowledge on where to eat, park, or what to do in the downtown area.  They even host guided tours about the rich history of our downtown!  Don't be shy, when you see one of the Ambassadors in Downtown Stockton (they wear green t-shirts now!), be sure to say hello and ask them whatever burning question you may have.

For more information about Downtown Stockton and the Ambassadors, check out the official Downtown Stockton Alliance website.

#94 of 100 Reasons to Smile in Stockton, California

Looking for authentic Cuban food...in Stockton?  Elsa's Paladar on Alpine has you covered.  With a menu sporting ribs, BBQ chicken, Cuban sandwiches, black beans and rice, paella, salads, fried plantains, bread pudding, and flan, Elsa's is a foodie paradise.  And thanks to Cuban-born owner and operator Domingo Santiuste Zayas, this Cuban food paradise is in Stockton!  This wildly popular restaurant is the perfect place to grab a lunch or enjoy an evening with friends over some great food.

What are you waiting for?  Check out Elsa's Paladar in Stockton,California located on 2219 West Alpine Avenue.

#93 of 100 Reasons to Smile in Stockton, California

If you're driving on Interstate 5, you may see a glimpse of the beautiful 18-acre oak forest known as Oak Grove Regional Park in Stockton.  This park is full of great things to do and features including Oak Grove Lake which is stocked with seasonal Catfish and Trout, paddleboats and aqua cycles available for rent (weekends only April through October), the Oak Grove Nature Center, two nature trails, rental facilities, outdoor picnic shelters, an 18-hole disc golf course, and children's playgrounds.  Oak Grove Regional Park is also the home to many events in the area including Astronomy in the Park, Nature Talks, and fishing derbies including the Annual Catfish Fishing Derby.  Oak Grove is the perfect place to bask in the beauty of the valley Oak tree and the warm California sun!

Oak Grove Regional Park is located on 4520 West Eight Mile Road in Stockton. 

#92 of 100 Reasons to Smile in Stockton, California

The San Joaquin County Fair has long been a loved tradition of Stocktonians--where else can you get deep fried food, horse races, carnival rides, live music, livestock and agriculture competitions, and arts and craft exhibitions all in one spot!? The fair has moved to September 20th-30th this year. What do you love about going out to the fair?

Don't miss the fun at this year's San Joaquin County Fair!

#91 of 100 Reasons to Smile in Stockton, California

A Stockton dining tradition since 1976, Angelina's Spaghetti House is serving up delicious Italian dishes right in the heart of Stockton. This family-owned restaurant serves up a wide array of pasta dishes, sandwiches, burgers, steak, veal, spumoni, Angelina's Famous Dolcé, Chocolate Suicide Cake, and much more!  The warm and inviting atmosphere, great food, and historic Stockton photos throughout the restaurant will make you feel at home and keep you coming back again and again!

Give Angelina's Spaghetti House a try and see why it's become a Stockton tradition!

#90 of 100 Reasons to Smile in Stockton, California

Joe's Pomodoro Pizza Cafe is a big favorite in Stockton because not only are they serving up some truly delicious pizza, but they also have ribs, buffalo wings, calzones, strombolis, and great sandwiches like Philly cheese steaks and gyros on the menu.  Joe's features a casual atmosphere with televisions to watch the big game and a game area to keep the kids entertained.  Joe's Pomodoro Pizza Cafe can satisfy all of your needs, especially your tummy!

Check out Joe's Pomodoro Pizza Cafe in Stockton, California!