Stockton, California, is conveniently located in the middle of the state, and it boasts a wide variety of cultural institutions and recreational opportunities, including museums, theaters, arenas, parks, the marina, and offbeat sights like the Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple and the lively and historic Little Manila neighborhood.
Things To Do In Stockton CA, Call ahead to confirm that the places you plan to visit (attractions or restaurants) are still open when you plan to visit.
16 Best Things To Do In Stockton CA Today
1. The Haggin Museum
The Haggin Museum, which showcases Stockton’s artistic and historical achievements, can be found in the city’s well-visited Victory Park. Although it was established in 1928, the museum didn’t actually open to the public until 1931.
The museum houses the region’s largest collection of works by J. C. Leyendecker and Albert Bierstadt, among many other notable works of art and artifacts at National Park. You can also view works by artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Rosa Bonheur, and Jean-Leon Gerome while you’re there.
Displayed in historically accurate recreations of early 20th century San Joaquin Valley homes and businesses, the museums, and galleries of Stockton’s rich past feature a wide range of artifacts and archival materials.
1201 N Pershing Ave., Stockton, CA 95203
2. Bob Hope Theatre
Stockton’s Bob Hope Theatre, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is a major cultural center for the region. There are numerous tours available that will take you inside this magnificent building.
There are 2,042 red velvet seats and cutting-edge acoustic, lighting, and rigging technology in the theater. The stunning lobby and theater are enough to make anyone gasp for air. The theater’s lobby features a marble mosaic, and the 1928 Robert Morton theater organ has been meticulously maintained.
242 E. Main Street, Stockton,Southern California 95202, Phone: 209-373-1400
3. Stockton Arena
The Stockton Arena has been the site of all of the area’s most important concerts, sporting events, and other celebrations since it opened in 2005. The Stockton Heat of the American Hockey League and the Stockton Kings of the NBA Development League both call this 12,000-seat arena their home.
Stockton Arena is located in the beautiful downtown area, close to the water and other local attractions like the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel and the Banner Island Ballpark.
ArenaBowl, Smackdown/ECW, and multiple MMA events are just a few of the massively popular shows that have taken place there. See what’s happening while you’re in town by checking the site’s calendar.
248 W Fremont St, Stockton, Southern California 95203
4. Banner Island Ballpark
Banner Island Ballpark can be found in Stockton’s beautiful downtown area, close to the water and other landmarks like the Stockton Arena. Stockton Ballpark is its official name, but Banner Island Ballpark is what most people in the area call it.
The baseball stadium opened in 2005 and features an elevated club seating area, four luxury suites, and two picnic areas. It can hold nearly 5,200 spectators. The Stockton Ports of the California League play their minor league baseball games there.
After playing in Oak Park’s Billy Hebert Field since the 1950s, the Stockton Ports have a new home in the works; in the meantime, catch a game while you can!
404 W Fremont St, Stockton, CA 95203
5. Children’s Museum of Stockton
The Stockton Museum for Children is a philanthropic institution that began planning for its opening in 1994. Janet Geng, the organization’s Founding Director, had the idea after she, as a teacher, was injured in the Cleveland School shootings of 1989.
Janet founded the Children’s Museum of Stockton so that she could provide a place for children and their families to come together for the purpose of learning and play. Now, the 22,000 square foot area houses over 40 hands-on exhibits designed to encourage children to learn through play.
The Galaxy Room, Dr. Barker’s Pet Clinic, the Nature Station, the Agricultural Farm, the CMS News Station, the Lego Derby Area, and the Reptile Display are among the most visited attractions. The museum hosts a number of events for visitors throughout the year in addition to the permanent displays.
402 W Weber Ave, Stockton, CA 95203, Phone: 209-465-4386
6. Pixie Woods – Louis Park
Pixie Woods’ enchanted forest and magical pathways are perfect for kids of all ages because they transport you to a magical world far from reality. Once you pass through the rainbow gates, you’ll be transported to a fantastical realm where work and worry are replaced by fun and games.
Miner’s Cove and the Dragon Water Play Area are just two of many kid-oriented attractions spread out across the park. Children can spend the day riding the carousel, on the Pixie Queen Boat through Pirate Lagoon, or on the Pixie Express. Kids of all ages enjoy the kid-friendly attractions, so don’t miss out if you’re in Stockton.
3121 Monte Diablo Ave, Stockton, CA 95203, Phone: 209-937-8206
7. Stockton Marina and Joan Darrah Promenade
In the heart of Stockton’s bustling downtown, on the waterfront, you’ll find the Stockton Marina and the Joan Darrah Promenade, as well as other world-famous venues like the Weber Points Events Center, the Stockton Arena, and the Banner Island Ballpark.
The marina and promenade provide a great place to get out on the water and take in the sights of the Delta. The marina has 66 slips (covered and uncovered) that can accommodate boats between 50 and 80 feet in length, as well as guest docks, an expanded parking lot, private restroom facilities, and a winding promenade that winds through it all.
333 Tuleberg Levee, Stockton, CA 95203
8. Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple
Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple, originally known as the Theravada Buddhist Temple, was founded in 1982 by Cambodian refugees who had fled to Stockton from their war-torn homeland.
They felt the need to preserve their culture as they reestablished themselves in American society, and so they built a temple. Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple has been around since before the Stockton area had a significant Cambodian population, and it has been regularly hosting events and activities for the local Cambodian community ever since.
Accessible at any time, the temple houses nearly a hundred brightly colored, larger-than-life jewel-encrusted statues honoring the life of the Cambodian Buddha.
3732 Carpenter Rd, Stockton, CA 95215, Phone: 209-943-2883
9. The Fruit Bowl
Since its founding in 1947, The Fruit Bowl has been supplying Stockton with fresh fruit and vegetables. Frank and Ina Lucchetti began their venture by setting up a table near the road on the outskirts of their ranch to sell fruit.
The Fruit Bowl got its name because there was always a bowl of fruit out front for anyone who wanted to try some. Over the years, the business flourished as more and more friends contributed fruit from their own orchards.
After seventy years in business, the family has successfully passed the reins to the next generation. When you go there, you can get fresh produce and baked goods, like pies, that are delicious.
8767 E Waterloo Rd, Stockton, CA 95215, Phone: 209-931-1196
10. Stockton Certified Farmers’ Market
The Stockton Certified Farmers’ Market has been open since 1979, making it an early player in its field. Under the Downtown Freeway, a group of vendors would set up shop for a few hours every Saturday morning, providing residents with easy access to locally grown produce.
Nearly four decades later, the market is as busy as ever, but now there are more than eighty sellers instead of just a handful. The Northern California Southeast Asian Farmers’ Market is the largest of its kind in the United States.
Eggs, honey, seafood, baked goods, plants, flowers, and a variety of delicious freshly-cooked foods will all be available for purchase alongside the usual array of farm-fresh produce.
2707 E Fremont St #9, Stockton, CA 95205, Phone: 209-943-1830
11. Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium
One of Stockton’s most well-known landmarks is the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium, which regularly hosts major concerts and other events. It was built by local architects W. J. Wright, Ivan C. Satterlee, and Glenn Allen and opened to the public in 1925.
Visitors to the Memorial Auditorium can read plaques dedicated to the memory of Stockton residents who gave their lives while serving their country in the First World War. The auditorium is aesthetically pleasing in its own right; a proscenium arch floats above the stage, and the walls are covered in cement plaster to give them the appearance of Indiana limestone.
The Grateful Dead and Carlos Santana are just two of the many famous acts who have played at Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium.
525 N Center St, Stockton, CA 95202, Phone: 209-937-8119
12. Little Manila
Stockton’s Little Manila is a neighborhood that has been home to many Filipino Americans since the Great Migration of the 1930s. In the beginning, Filipinos settled in Stockton because of the abundance of agricultural jobs in the Central Valley.
Racist legislation at the time prevented people of color from furthering their education, advancing their economic standing, or even entering Main Street. The neighborhood south of Main Street quickly developed into the Filipinos’ own cultural enclave as entrepreneurs and community groups sprang up to meet local demand.
The hotels, restaurants, shops, grocery stores, and other businesses that catered to the local Filipino population are still visible in some of the city’s neighborhoods today. Once considered “one of the nation’s most endangered historic places” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the area is now being brought back to its former glory.
Little Manila Center: 2154 S San Joaquin County St, Stockton, CA 95206, Phone: 209-336-6332
13. Miracle Mile
The Miracle Mile in Stockton can be found along Pacific Avenue between Alpine and Harding, and along Harding Way between El Dorado and Lincoln.
In 2007, local business owners and residents banded together to form the designated area in an effort to enhance the neighborhood’s aesthetics, as well as its safety, security, and economic growth thing.
Stockton residents and visitors alike flock to this area because of its stellar reputation as premier retail, dining, and nightlife hotspot. Enjoying the beautiful scenery, sampling the local cuisine, and picking up a few mementos will make for a trip you won’t soon forget at bay area.
Miracle Mile Improvement District: 200 W Harding Way, Stockton, CA 95204, Phone: 209-948-6453
14. Swenson Park Golf Course
The Swenson Park Golf Course opened in 1952 and is designed in the classic parkland style. Northern Californian golf course architect Jack Fleming was responsible for designing the course’s stunning green.
Guests can choose between an executive 9-hole par-3 course and a par-72 championship course that spans 18 holes. All golfers, regardless of skill level, can rest assured that they will have a rewarding experience here.
Swenson Park is well-liked by locals and tourists alike because of its beautiful, age-old Valley Oak trees and the fact that it is an easy walking course.
6803 Alexandria Pl, Stockton, CA 95207, Phone: 209-937-7360
15. University Park World Peace Rose Garden
Kevin and Sandy Huber planted the first 250 rose bushes from bare roots in their barn in 2015, marking the beginning of what would become the University Park World Peace Rose Garden.
After some time, they were moved to the Rose Garden and became members of the International World Peace Rose Gardens. Tourists can leisurely explore the beautiful 102-acre mixed-use community.
In the garden, you can find plaques with messages of peace written by students from all over the world. The rose garden is a great place to reflect and meditate due to its serene and peaceful atmosphere.
599 E Magnolia St, Stockton, CA 95202, Phone: 209-473-6167
16. Dave Wongs
Dave Wong’s restaurant and deli is decorated with modern and classic works of art that will take you to Asia even before you try the cuisine. Two mainland Chinese immigrants who got their start as busboys and prep cooks had the idea for the now-wildly-popular restaurant that has become their American dream.
They first started opening restaurants in the 1970s and have seen nothing but success ever since. Delicious Cantonese food and other dishes with Asian inspiration will be available to you.
Steak and mushroom fried rice and the Tai Pan Dinner, which features pork chow mein, fried prawns, almond chicken vegetables, and sweet & sour pork, are two of the restaurant’s most ordered dishes near San Jose is one of the best things.
2828 W March Lane, Stockton, CA 95207, Phone: 209-951-4152
FAQs Things To Do In Stockton CA
Is Stockton a good area?
Stockton-on-Tees has a lot going for it, including the fact that it’s a relatively secure community. It’s reasonably priced, has a wonderful sense of community, stunning natural settings, and a wealth of exciting opportunities. In addition, there are many excellent educational opportunities in the region, making it an ideal setting for families as tourist attractions.
Is downtown Stockton safe?
Many people in the city feel most secure in the Western part of town. However, Stockton’s downtown area is extremely risky. Stockton has nearly three times the crime rate of the rest of California, with a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim of crime and a 1 in 79 chance of facing violent crime in New York City.
Should I buy a house in Stockton?
Stockton’s housing market is the twentieth most desirable in the United States, despite the city’s continued economic hardships. Property prices are low, and there is a lot of optimism about future growth and development.