Family Adventures and Fun in Lodi, California

Lodi, CA makes an ideal family escape, with hands-on museums, goat-farm experiences, welcoming wineries, and plenty of places to enjoy something sweet.

Family-Friendly Activities

World of Wonders Science Museum

Located on Sacramento Street, World of Wonders Science Museum offers over 70 hands-on exhibits that encourage curiosity among children and adults. The interactive displays explore biology, physics, technology, and engineering. Families should plan to spend at least two hours here and can combine the visit with lunch downtown.

Lodi Lake

At Lodi Lake, families can visit the Lodi Boathouse and choose among paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing on the calm waters of the Mokelumne River. Infants and dogs are welcome, and the available activities accommodate a range of experience levels.

Families who prefer to stay on shore can bring a picnic for a beachside meal, then walk the nature trail while observing the sights and sounds of Lodi's natural habitat.

Spenker Family Farm

Spenker Family Farm offers seasonal activities centered on its much-loved baby goats. The friendly young goats are a hit with both children and parents. During spring, Goodnight Goats gives families an evening of play, laughter, and story time as children help put the baby goats to bed before enjoying milk and cookies. Seasonal events fill quickly, so check the schedule ahead of time.

Micke Grove Regional Park

Micke Grove Regional Park covers 132 acres and can easily occupy an entire family afternoon. Pick up lunch from a local favorite and enjoy it on the park's broad green lawns. Afterward, visit the Japanese Tea Garden, where a koi pond, zen garden, and pagoda provide a peaceful setting.

The Micke Grove Zoo offers an opportunity to learn about the wildlife living there. Finish the outing at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum, whose exhibits focus on the area's indigenous inhabitants, early settlers, and remarkable agricultural land.

The Hidden Tea Room

The Hidden Tea Room offers a distinctive afternoon for adults and children alike. Its menu combines light bites with a full selection of teas presented in Afternoon Tea style. The setting features pastel colors, florals, lace, and bows. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend visits.

Lodi Bowling Lounge & Bar

Lodi Bowling Lounge & Bar brings together a full-service bar, satisfying food, a state-of-the-art gaming center, and entertainment screens throughout the venue. The menu includes plenty of bites to keep everyone fueled between frames. It is also a useful place to spend a few cool hours when summer temperatures rise.

Meet the Maker

At Meet the Maker, visitors can create their own ceramics and pottery at Lodi's first ceramic-making studio. The studio welcomes all experience levels and all ages, offering families a chance to slow down and make something to take home.

The "Grown-Up and Me" class allows younger children and adults to hand-build and paint a special piece together, creating a keepsake that extends the memory of the trip.

Family-Friendly Wineries

Lodi Wine Country works well for a family getaway: adults can enjoy wine at a scenic estate while children have snacks, games, and room to play. These three wineries are family-friendly choices for wine-tasting in Lodi. A broader selection is available in the full listing of family-friendly wineries.

Michael David Winery

Michael David Winery welcomes families to enjoy wine across its expansive grounds. The estate creates a memorable setting, while the outdoor children's play area keeps younger visitors occupied as adults spend time at the tasting bar.

Nostra Vita Family Winery

At Nostra Vita Family Winery, adults can relax with sparkling wine while children play on the lawn. Families can also join one another for a few rounds of cornhole. The easygoing, welcoming atmosphere lets each member of the group enjoy the afternoon at a comfortable pace.

Durst Winery & Estate

Durst Winery & Estate provides grounds where families can spread out on the lawn with a blanket and a bottle of wine. The resident family dogs contribute to the welcoming atmosphere, and the tasting room team is known for creating visits that feel relaxed and unhurried.

Treats Kids Will Love

A family outing in Lodi calls for a sweet stop, and downtown offers several possibilities.

Nieves El Morro is a distinctive candy shop with nostalgic and hard-to-find candies as well as ice cream. Families can fill a bucket with treats for the rest of their stay or take some home.

Double Dip Gallery serves scoops of Gunther's ice cream inside an active art gallery featuring local artists. Adults can browse the artwork while children decide what to order. Adults may also want to try the Petite Petit sorbet made with Michael David wine.

Other options include Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, where visitors can watch candies and chocolate apples being made by hand; The Milkshake Shop at Brew House; and Honey Treat Yogurt Shoppe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which family activities are recommended in Lodi, CA?

Family highlights include World of Wonders Science Museum, Micke Grove Regional Park and Zoo, Lodi Lake and the Lodi Boathouse for kayaking and paddleboarding, Meet the Maker pottery studio, Spenker Family Farm's seasonal goat experiences, and Lodi Bowling Lounge & Bar. Downtown Lodi also makes it easy to walk between candy shops, ice cream destinations, chocolate shops, and local bakeries.

Does Lodi have wineries that welcome families?

Yes. Several Lodi wineries welcome families with children. Michael David Winery includes a dedicated outdoor children's play area, while Nostra Vita Family Winery and Durst Winery & Estate offer open lawns where children can play during a tasting. The Visit Lodi winery page contains a full list of family-friendly wineries.

Can families visit Lodi as a day trip from Sacramento?

Yes. Lodi is approximately 35 miles south of Sacramento, or about a 35-minute drive. That proximity makes it one of the most convenient family day trips in Northern California. The area has enough activities to fill a full day and is relaxed and simple to navigate without a complicated itinerary.

What can families see at World of Wonders Science Museum?

Known locally as WOW, World of Wonders Science Museum is a hands-on science museum on Sacramento Street in downtown Lodi. It has over 70 interactive exhibits covering biology, physics, technology, and engineering, with activities intended to spark curiosity in both children and adults. The museum is especially useful as an indoor family activity during hot summer weather.

Is Lodi Lake suitable for families?

Yes. Lodi Lake Park is a leading outdoor family destination in the area. The Lodi Boathouse rents kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes. During warmer months, families can use the sandy swim beach, and the park also has a playground, shaded picnic areas, and the scenic one-mile Nature Trail. The trail passes through the Lodi Lake Wilderness Area beside the Mokelumne River.

Where can families find sweet treats in Lodi?

Downtown Lodi has several choices. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory allows children to watch candies and chocolate apples being made by hand. Sweet Aftrlife offers nostalgic candy, hard-to-find treats, and ice cream. Double Dip Gallery serves Gunther's ice cream within a working art gallery. Honey Treat Yogurt Shoppe and The Milkshake Shop at Brew House provide additional ways to finish a family day with something sweet.

Author

Natalie Morlino

Community Engagement & Communications Manager

Natalie is a natural storyteller who enjoys forming authentic connections with her community. She is an avid world traveler who is always ready to pull up a barstool at a cozy restaurant, meet new people, and notice a Lodi wine on the menu. After exchanging city life for wine country, she spends time in Lodi visiting the farmers market, searching for antiques, and discovering new wineries with her fiancé, son, and pug — naturally with a glass of Zin in hand.