This Charming City In Northern California Boasts Scenic Vineyards & Plenty Of Wineries

There's a lot to love about Northern California. Delicious food, it seems, is everywhere, from supermarkets to high-end restaurants. There are countless places to hike. And, of course, there's wine — so much wine. Some cities boast a higher concentration of wineries than others, making them dream destinations for vinophiles, and there are unique attractions like the Northern California vintage wine train tour.

About 100 miles east of San Francisco is one such place: the arguably underrated California city of Lodi. Like so many of its regional counterparts, its history is almost as rich as what it presents to travelers, from its ample vineyards to a quaint downtown area. When new settlers arrived in Lodi during the 1800s Gold Rush, they noted grapes hanging from trees: an observation that eventually led farmers to realize the area provided an ideal climate for many wine grapes to ripen, including the rare Tokay Flame grapes. It paved the way for Lodi to become the thriving oenophilia hub it is today, with many of its active wineries dating back at least five generations.

While the wine scene is a significant part of Lodi's appeal, it has even more to offer. Its small but humming downtown area offers a picturesque glimpse at idyllic main street charm, lined with trees, tasting rooms, restaurants, and art galleries. Enjoy the city's bi-annual Street Faire, stock up on local produce at the weekly summer farmers' markets, and meet purveyors of unique goods. Lodi has something for everyone; even if wine isn't your thing, breweries and coffee shops abound in the central downtown area.

Imagine a place that grows more wine grapes than Napa and Sonoma do between them. With at least 90,000 acres of vineyards, Lodi cultivates 20% of California's grapes grown for winemaking. The same ideal growing conditions discovered by farmers in the 1800s sustain Lodi's thriving wine economy today, with a Mediterranean climate — characterized by dry summers and rainy, yet mild winters — supporting over 85 wineries.

Climate and volume alone are not what make Lodi one of the best U.S. cities to visit for wine tastings. Multiple-award-winning vineyards such as Michael David, Jessie's Grove, and Harney Lane are all located within Lodi's city limits. However, take note of the area's more niche vineyards. Acquiesce Winery, which has garnered multiple Double Gold Best of California awards, is one of Lodi's smaller vineyards, spanning a modest 16 acres. It's also one of the most unique, specializing in white and rosé Rhône varietals and sourcing its vines directly from France's Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Prefer red wine? Check out the equally niche, 8.3-acre Marian's Vineyard, which picked up the California State Fair Wine Competition's 2025 Vineyard of the Year award.

Lodi's "must-taste" varietals are many. Zinfandel is undoubtedly on the list; the city dubbed itself the "Zinfandel Capital of the World" and hosts an annual ZinEX Weekend Classic. The area is renowned for its "old vine" Zinfandels, named, quite literally, for vines that are over a century old. Legacy is deeply rooted in the Lodi region, with Bechthold, the longest-surviving Cinsault vineyard (dating back to 1886), also calling it home. While the public can't access Bechthold itself, visitors can still get a taste of its history at the aforementioned Jessie's Grove Winery.

Visitors enjoy Lodi throughout the year. If you plan a winter wine getaway, Lodi appeals with its quieter, slower pace and far fewer crowds, along with cooler, cozier days ideal for enjoying the plentiful red wines produced there. Winter also brings notable events to Lodi, including the aforementioned annual ZinEx Weekend Classic in late January and the Lodi Wine & Chocolate event in February. Spring and fall are the most popular times to visit, with milder temperatures and events like April's Lodi Wine Festival and November's Sandhill Crane Festival. Summer brings the heat, with temperatures reaching the 90s in July (and dropping to the 60s at night). It also makes way for events like Summerfest, an annual fundraiser with plenty of music, food, and, of course, wine.

If you're not within driving distance, consider the nearby Stockton Metropolitan Airport, about 20 miles away from Lodi, which operates regional flights on Allegiant Air. Larger airports include Sacramento International Airport, located roughly 50 miles north of Lodi. Both Oakland International Airport and San Francisco International Airport are between 79 and 91 miles away, with driving times ranging from 90 minutes to two hours, depending on route and traffic conditions.

Lodi offers a range of accommodations, catering to various location preferences and budgets. The highly-rated Poppy Sister Inn, for instance, is only a few blocks from downtown Lodi, with rates starting at $175/night. Bella Vino Bed & Breakfast is a similar distance from the downtown area, with rooms starting at $180/night. Larger hotel chains are located a bit further from the core of downtown Lodi. Higher-rated options include Tru by Hilton Lodi, which is a short (between six and eight minutes) drive to the charming main streets, with rates starting around $93/night.