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176 2 0 1 5 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A LODI'S MEDITERRANEAN climate makes this Central Valley city in Northern California's wine country ideal for pro- ducing premium wines. When in town, swing by the downtown Lodi Visitor Center for a wine trail map and wise wine tasting advice. The area has more than 85 wineries, and most of them are family owned and operated, so you're more than likely going to taste wine made by the person pouring it for you in the tasting room. Over the past two decades, the number of Lodi labeled wines has grown tremendously, however Lodi remains known best for its Zinfandel—and it pro- duces more than 40 percent of California's premium Zinfandel. Lodi's history of agriculture isn't just something from the past. This city has more than enough opportunities to prove that it's one of the best places in the state to find fresh taste from the farm—whether obtained from a farm stand or a restaurant plate. And even in the city's downtown, you're never far from the farm. Visitors can stroll from restaurant to olive oil shop to winery tasting room to cheese shop for the best flavor of the valley. Lodi figures prominently in the winter flight plans for the sandhill crane—one of only two crane species found in North America. These five-foot-tall birds may not look prehistoric, but fossil records date them as far back as two million years. From October through February, stop by the Sandhill Crane Reserve to get a glimpse of these stately birds. If you're lucky, you'll spy more than a few mating dances. The cranes aren't the only lucky ones that can get out and enjoy nature in Lodi. In summer, some visitors pick water sports like kayaking and stand-up pad- dling in the Mokelumne River and Lodi Lake, while others prefer to hike on nearby nature trails or merely relax on the beach and picnic with family and friends. In laid-back Lodi, enjoyment is easy to come by. LODI Stay for the wine B Y J I L L K . R O B I N S O N GRAPEVINES form a graceful arc in Lodi, above; a room at the Wine & Roses Hotel Spa, below. DALE GOLF PHOTOGRAPHY; GERRY MCINTYRE » TASTE, STROLL, RELAX, PADDLE! Visit Lodi Conference & Visitors Bureau visitlodi.com