About Lodi

Lodi is a small city of about 69,000 (about 14,000 families) located in the fertile San Joaquin Valley, about 30 miles south of Sacramento. It is known for being a very livable city with good schools and a small town feeling. It sits astride the Mokelumne River, which feeds Lodi Lake on the northern edge of the city.

Just about a year ago, I set out on the road Seekin' my fame and fortune, lookin' for a pot of gold Thing got bad, and things got worse, I guess you know the tune Oh, Lord, stuck in Lodi again. –Credence Clearwater Revival

The "Flame Tokay" grape was introduced from Algeria in 1857, and was a central feature of the vineyards that gradually rose to prominence because of the sandy loam soil and the location directly east of the Suisun Pass. Today it sits amidst a large wine production region, giving it the nickname of the "Zinfandel Capital of the World." The Lodi Appellation has become increasingly respected for its Zinfandel wine and other eclectic varietals. Nearby Woodbridge is the home of the well known winery, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi. Mondavi grew up in Lodi, and Mondavi Winery is considered one of the most influential in the American wine industry. The wine industry is celebrated each year in the Lodi Grape Festival.

Grapes like these fill the San Joaquin Valley around Lodi.

The weather can be warm in the summer, with temperatures occasionally exceeding 100 degrees, but usually in the 80s. Lodi has cool, wet winters, sometimes marked by dense ground fog.

Early industries in Lodi included a saw mill, flour mill, vineyards, orchards, and cattle ranching. The early 20th century saw the establishment of several large manufacturers and general service providers with national distribution capabilities, such as Supermold, the Pinkerton Foundry, Lodi Truck Service, the Lodi Iron Works, Pacific Coast Producers, Holz Rubber Company, Valley Industries, and Goehring Meat Company. Lodi is the birthplace of A&W Root Beer and A&W Restaurants established in 1919, the original fast food restaurant.

The top employers include the Lodi Unified School District, Lodi Memorial Hospital, Pacific Coast Producers, Blue Shield of California, Cottage Bakery, and General Mills.