Visit Lodi

A 48-Hour Lodi Wine Country Weekend — Tasting Rooms, Dining, Nature, and Two Nights in California Wine Country

Nestled in California’s Central Valley, Lodi brings together world-class wineries, inviting downtown streets, historic landmarks, and outdoor experiences.

This two-night itinerary is designed for first-time visitors, whether your interests lean toward wine, history, or nature. Over 48 hours, you can sample the region’s wine, enjoy family-owned estates, explore the Mokelumne River area, and listen to live music downtown over good food and company.

Day One

Begin the morning at Ruby’s Bakery & Café, a popular local bakery where freshly made pastries and breads take center stage. The pastry case includes the Everything Poblano Croissant, Sugar Bun, and Hazelnut Coffee Twist, while fresh sourdough and baguettes are baked daily. It is an ideal way to fuel a day of tasting.

Make your way through Downtown Lodi by picking up a guide at the Visitor Center, photographing the Lodi Arch, and browsing the boutiques and colorful wall-dog murals. Downtown’s seven wine rooms offer an easy introduction to local wine. At Jeremy Wine Co., the team can guide you through a flight before you bring your preferred bottle outside to the patio.

The Oxford Kitchen is a choice for lunch or dinner, serving London-inspired cooking with a street-market influence. The menu features ricotta lemon flatbread, golden fish and chips, creamy mushroom ravioli, and British Tikka Masala, alongside other international flavors.

For more of a vineyard setting, continue just outside town to Durst Winery. Its landscaped gardens, welcoming hosts, and crisp Amada Mia white wine create a relaxed afternoon retreat.

Finish your first day at Papapavlo’s, where Mediterranean cooking includes fresh seafood and Greek classics such as Moussaka and Gyros.

Day Two

Start Saturday at Corner Scone Bakery, where buttery scones and fresh pies make for a worthwhile morning stop. The cozy bakery offers both sweet and savory choices.

Early risers can head to Lodi Lake for a quiet walk beside the water. Watch for local birds, enjoy the stillness of the morning, or rent a kayak from Lodi Boathouse for time on the water.

Spend the afternoon on the Lodi Wine Trolley, a distinctive way to tour wine country. The experience includes visits to three wineries, lunch, and plenty of local flavor. Reserve tickets early for this casual, convenient vineyard outing.

For dinner, visit Guantonio’s Wood Fired, a local favorite known for hot pizzas, an excellent wine list, and desserts worth saving room for. Options include mushroom dip, a seasonal salad, and the famous pesto pizza, followed by a cannoli or caramel-drizzled buffalo milk sundae.

Day Three

Have a hearty breakfast at The Café at Michael David Winery, where homestyle dishes receive a fresh update. The corned beef hash, seasonal omelet special, and stuffed french toast are all satisfying choices.

After breakfast, take a short walk across the extensive property before visiting the Michael David tasting room for an early afternoon wine tasting. Before leaving, pick up one of the café’s famous berry pies.

Spend the rest of the afternoon at Calivines Winery and Olive Mill. Its thoughtfully designed tasting room offers fantastic wine, Lodi-grown olive oil, and a curated small-plate menu. The tasting room and patio also host live music; the events page provides the current schedule.

Where to Stay

Lodi Wine Country offers lodging choices ranging from a historic bed and breakfast to a full resort experience and familiar hotel brands.

Poppy Sister Inn is a renovated 4-bedroom 1907 Victorian home near bustling Downtown Lodi and was one of the original houses in the Downtown area. Guests can enjoy a home-cooked breakfast, social hour with other visitors, or a glass of wine on the porch while taking in Lodi’s sights and sounds.

For a more resort-centered stay, Appellation Lodi — Wine & Roses offers two-night visitors access to an extensive spa treatment menu, a beautiful spa facility, a pool, wine tasting at the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, and farm-to-fork dining at Americana House.

Travelers who prefer recognizable hotel brands can use Lodi as a base at Fairfield Inn & Suites, Candlewood Suites, or Holiday Inn Express. Lodi also has larger hotel properties suited to visitors who like familiar accommodations.

The Weekend in Summary

Lodi works well as an approachable wine destination with a premium selection of heritage wines, a Central Valley stop, or another California wine country getaway. A visit here offers an introduction to the good life in Lodi and plenty of reasons to return to this beautiful wine region.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you use 48 hours in Lodi, California?

A full Lodi visit can begin with breakfast at Ruby’s Bakery & Café, followed by a downtown walk to the Lodi Arch, Walldog murals, and boutiques. On the first day, start wine tasting at Jeremy Wine Co. before visiting Durst Winery in the afternoon and dining at Papapavlo’s in the evening. The second day can include a morning walk or kayak outing at Lodi Lake, an afternoon trip through wine country on the Lodi Wine Trolley, and dinner at Guantonio’s Wood Fired. On the third day, brunch and wine tasting at The Café at Michael David Winery can lead into wine and olive-oil tasting at Calivines Winery.

Is 48 hours enough time to see Lodi?

Yes. A weekend gives visitors time to experience downtown, wine country, the waterfront, and local restaurants without an overly hurried schedule. Lodi’s compact geography keeps its attractions close together, so the trip can feel full without becoming exhausting. Visitors hoping to explore more vineyards or spend additional time outdoors may prefer a three-day visit.

What time of year is best for a weekend in Lodi?

Lodi welcomes visitors throughout the year, with spring and fall offering especially appealing conditions. Spring brings green landscapes, active birdlife, and cherry blossom season at local farms. In fall, vineyards enter harvest season, temperatures cool, and Sandhill Crane migration takes place. Summer weekends feature outdoor events and live music, although afternoons can be hot; mornings and evenings are better for tastings and outdoor activities. Winter is quieter and well suited to cozy visits to tasting rooms.

Is a car necessary for a weekend in Lodi?

A car makes it easier to reach wineries outside downtown, but visitors staying in the center of Lodi can manage without one. On weekends, the Lodi Wine Trolley offers guided transportation between wineries and includes lunch. Downtown Lodi is highly walkable, with tasting rooms, restaurants, and boutiques located close to one another. Amtrak also serves the Downtown Lodi train station, providing car-free access from Sacramento and the Bay Area.

What are good places to stay for a Lodi weekend?

Appellation Lodi — Wine & Roses Resort and Spa provides a complete resort stay with a spa, pool, and on-site dining at Americana House. Poppy Sister Inn offers a charming bed-and-breakfast experience in a renovated 1907 Victorian home near downtown. Fairfield Inn & Suites, Candlewood Suites, and Holiday Inn Express offer recognizable brands and convenient access to downtown and wine country. Vacation home rentals near downtown can also suit families and groups.

How many wineries fit comfortably into a Lodi weekend?

A relaxed weekend pace allows for three to five wineries, leaving enough time to enjoy each stop instead of rushing between them. Lodi’s walk-in tasting culture means plans can remain flexible rather than being booked entirely in advance. The Lodi Wine Trolley visits three wineries during one afternoon and provides transportation, making it a simple way to cover more ground without designating a driver.

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Author

Natalie Morlino

Community Engagement & Communications Manager

Natalie is a storyteller focused on authentic connections within her community. She is an avid world traveler who enjoys finding a cozy restaurant, meeting new people, and noticing a Lodi wine on a menu. Since exchanging city life for wine country, she spends time in Lodi visiting the farmers market, looking for antiques, and discovering wineries with her fiancé, son, and pug — glass of Zin in hand.

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