Travel Trade Planning Guide for Lodi, California
Lodi gives travelers an approachable California wine country experience, combining award-winning wines, genuine hospitality and plenty to do beyond the tasting room. Named America’s Favorite Small Town for 2026 by Parade and Steller, Lodi is an easy destination to recommend to couples, friends, wine enthusiasts, culinary travelers, small groups and people taking Northern California road trips.
Only 35 miles south of Sacramento, Lodi brings together more than 85 wineries, over 135 grape varieties, a walkable historic downtown, independent restaurants, outdoor recreation and welcoming accommodations. Its compact layout works well for a two-night visit while still giving travelers room to tailor the trip to their interests.
What Sets Lodi Apart from Other California Wine Regions?
Lodi has the breadth and quality associated with a major California wine region, along with the warmth, flexibility and value of a small town. More than 85 wineries and over 135 grape varieties create extensive opportunities for wine discovery. Historic vineyards, multigenerational farming families and acclaimed winemakers add authentic depth to the region.
Serious Wine, Personal Hospitality
Lodi makes high-quality, award-winning wine while retaining the personal relationships that make wine travel memorable. Visitors often have the opportunity to meet the growers, winemakers and families responsible for the wines, resulting in experiences that feel genuine and personal.
A Remarkable Range of Varieties
Although Lodi is celebrated for old-vine Zinfandel, its wine identity extends well beyond that variety. A Mediterranean climate and varied soils support more than 135 grape varieties, including Albariño, Tempranillo, Cinsault, Grenache, Fiano, Vermentino and many others. Curious wine travelers can taste wines from around the world within one California appellation.
Quality and Value Together
Lodi’s value is reflected in its accessibility, convenience and range of choices. Travelers may create an elevated getaway with resort accommodations, exceptional dining and premium tasting experiences, or choose comfortable hotels, relaxed tasting rooms and locally owned restaurants for a more value-minded trip. In either case, quality remains central.
Freedom to Explore
Many Lodi tasting rooms accept walk-in visitors, though reservations are recommended during busy weekends, for larger groups and for special experiences. Because the region is compact, travelers can combine wine country, Downtown Lodi and Lodi Lake without spending much of their visit in traffic.
Lodi offers clients who have already seen California’s best-known wine destinations a fresh story and a stronger feeling of discovery. Its welcoming atmosphere also makes it a comfortable starting point for travelers visiting wine country for the first time.
Easy to Reach and Easy to Experience
Getting to Lodi
Lodi sits along Highway 99 between Sacramento and Stockton and is conveniently accessible from Interstate 5, Sacramento International Airport and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Amtrak’s Gold Runner service stops in the center of Downtown Lodi, offering another arrival option from Sacramento, the Central Valley and Southern California.
After arrival, wineries, downtown, lodging and major attractions are generally separated by only short drives. Local wine tours and transportation providers can help visitors explore without taking responsibility for the driving.
Accommodations for Different Travel Styles
Lodi serves a variety of clients and budgets with lodging that includes a full-service wine country resort and spa, familiar hotel brands, extended-stay properties, historic bed and breakfasts, vacation homes and RV resorts. Many properties are close to Downtown Lodi as well as the surrounding wine region.
Who Will Love Lodi?
Lodi is well suited to:
- Couples and friends arranging a wine country escape
- Travelers drawn to food, wine and local agriculture
- Wine clubs and affinity groups
- Small leisure groups and celebrations
- Travelers seeking a relaxed Northern California weekend
- Clients creating a Northern California or Central Valley road trip
- Returning California visitors ready to find a new destination
A Two-Night Lodi Itinerary
Day One: Arrival and Downtown Discovery
After checking into a Lodi hotel or wine country resort, spend the afternoon in historic Downtown Lodi. Visit local shops, public art and tasting rooms, then dine at one of the city’s independently owned restaurants.
Day Two: Lodi Wine Country
Start with breakfast locally before traveling into wine country. Select two or three wineries according to the traveler’s preferred varietals and tasting style, or arrange a guided wine tour with transportation. End the day with dinner, live music or an evening tasting downtown.
Day Three: Outdoor Time
Begin with a walk on the Lodi Lake Nature Trail or a seasonal paddle on the Mokelumne River. After brunch, gather Lodi wine and locally made products before continuing the California journey.
Travel Planning Resources
Wineries and Tasting Rooms
Lodi’s wineries offer varied tasting experiences and access to more than 135 grape varieties.
Hotels and Lodging
Available accommodations range from a wine country resort to trusted hotel brands, vacation homes and bed and breakfasts.
Tours and Transportation
Guided wine tours and local transportation services help clients experience Lodi without managing the driving themselves.
Getting to Lodi
Driving routes, airport information and Amtrak details support trip planning.
Official Lodi Visitors Guide
Visit Lodi’s Guide to Lodi’s Food, Wine & Adventure covers wineries, restaurants and experiences.
Let Us Help You Plan Lodi
Visit Lodi assists travel advisors and tour operators with identifying lodging, experiences and itinerary ideas suited to their clients. Share travel dates, group size and interests with the team to receive direction toward appropriate local resources.
Visit Lodi
Phone: (209) 365-1195
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel to Lodi
Where is Lodi, California?
Lodi is in Northern California’s Central Valley, approximately 35 miles south of Sacramento and about 90 minutes from much of the San Francisco Bay Area, depending on traffic. Highway 99 and Interstate 5 provide convenient access.
Which airport is closest to Lodi?
Sacramento International Airport is the closest major airport. Oakland, San Francisco or San Jose international airports may also work for travelers incorporating Lodi into a broader Northern California itinerary. Stockton Metropolitan Airport, approximately 20 miles south of Lodi, provides service from select destinations.
Can travelers reach Lodi by train?
Yes. Amtrak’s Gold Runner service stops at the Lodi Transit Station in the heart of Downtown Lodi, connecting the destination with Sacramento, Stockton, the Central Valley and Southern California.
How many nights should travelers spend in Lodi?
Two nights allow enough time for Downtown Lodi, several wineries, local dining and Lodi Lake. A three-night visit creates a slower pace and room for additional tasting and activities beyond wine.
What wines is Lodi known for?
Lodi is best known for Zinfandel, including wines made from historic old vines. The region also grows more than 135 grape varieties, among them Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Albariño, Tempranillo, Cinsault, Grenache, Fiano and Vermentino.
Are winery reservations required in Lodi?
Most Lodi wineries accept walk-in visitors, giving travelers flexibility as they explore. Reservations remain advisable for holiday weekends, larger groups, guided experiences and wineries with limited tasting room capacity.
Is Lodi a good choice for experienced wine travelers?
Yes. Historic vineyards, varietal diversity and personal access to the people behind the wines give experienced wine travelers plenty to explore. Lodi is especially appealing to clients interested in lesser-known grape varieties, family-owned wineries and emerging California wine destinations.
What can visitors do in Lodi besides wine tasting?
Visitors can enjoy Downtown Lodi restaurants, boutiques, tasting rooms, public art and historic architecture. Additional options include Lodi Lake, seasonal paddling and kayaking, nature trails, museums, local events, live music, farm experiences and nearby outdoor recreation.
What types of accommodations are available?
Lodi has a full-service wine country resort and spa, nationally recognized hotel brands, extended-stay accommodations, historic bed and breakfasts, vacation homes and RV resorts. Most lodging is within a short drive of downtown and the surrounding wineries.
Can Lodi accommodate small groups and wine clubs?
Yes. Many wineries, restaurants, hotels and transportation providers can serve small leisure groups, wine clubs and affinity groups. Advance planning is advised because capacities and reservation policies differ by business.
Can Visit Lodi help travel advisors plan an itinerary?
Yes. Visit Lodi provides destination information, itinerary ideas and connections to local lodging, attractions, wineries and transportation resources. Advisors should provide client travel dates, interests, group size and preferred experiences so the Visit Lodi team can offer relevant recommendations.
Lodi Wine Map
Acquiesce Winery
Acquiesce Winery is a distinctive Lodi wine experience: a woman-owned boutique winery founded by Susan Tipton in 2012 and focused on elegant wines. Phone: (209) 333-6102.
McKenzie Wines
McKenzie Vineyards & Winery offers six generations of family farming and winemaking, with roots in the Lodi Wine Appellation dating to 1896. Phone: (209) 850-8012.
LangeTwins Winery
LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards carries Lodi agricultural heritage dating to the 1870s and remains a family-owned winery representing five generations. Phone: (209) 334-9780.
Stama Winery
Stama Winery brings Greek hospitality to a family-owned winery in the heart of Lodi wine country. Phone: (209) 727-3314.
Cabana Winery
Cabana Winery is a boutique winery dedicated to exceptional wines through a hands-on approach and decades of winemaking expertise. Phone: (916) 476-5492.
m2 wines
Since 2004, m2 Wines has produced award-winning wines expressing the character of California wine regions, including Lodi and the Sierra Foothills. Phone: (209) 339-1071.
Prie Winery
PRIE Winery offers thoughtfully crafted wines, relaxation beneath oak trees and time with friends and family. Phone: (925) 784-6197.
Drava Wines
Drava Wines presents a boutique experience just beyond Downtown Lodi’s historic district, pairing Slovenian inspiration with Lodi wine. Phone: (209) 400-5009.
Sorelle Winery
Sorelle Winery is a family-owned Lodi winery producing small-lot Italian varietal wines shaped by heritage and tradition. Phone: (209) 931-4350.
Berghold Winery
Berghold Vineyards combines Old World elegance with contemporary winemaking in a distinctive Lodi Wine Country tasting experience. Phone: (209) 333-9291.
Macchia Winery
Macchia Wines is a family-owned and operated winery crafting wines in the Lodi Appellation since 2001. Phone: (209) 333-2600.
Pondl Winery
PONDL Winery is a family-owned Lodi Wine Country winery whose shared winemaking passion developed from a hobby. Phone: (209) 367-3672.
The Lucas Winery
The Lucas Winery is known for vineyard-designated Zinfandels from the historic ZinStar Vineyard, a 3.5-acre block of head-trained, own-rooted vines. Phone: (209) 368-2006.
Scotto’s Wine & Cider
Scotto Cellars represents more than 140 years of family winemaking rooted in Italian tradition, beginning in 1883. Phone: (209) 224-8590.
Viaggio Estate & Winery
Viaggio Estate & Winery is a Tuscan-inspired destination in Lodi Wine Country. Phone: (209) 368-1378.
Intercoastal Wine Company
Intercoastal Wine Company is rooted in generations of farming and produces wines beginning in the vineyard. The Spaletta Family’s wines are Certified sustainable through Lodi. Phone: (209) 213-7142.
Harney Lane Winery
Harney Lane Winery combines family tradition with estate-grown winemaking at a family-owned destination in Lodi. Phone: (209) 365-1900.
Michael David Winery
Michael David Winery is a sixth-generation, family-owned Lodi destination recognized for bold wines and a welcoming atmosphere. Phone: (209) 368-7384.
St. Amant Winery
For more than 50 years, St. Amant Winery has made wines grounded in family, perseverance and California vineyards. Phone: (209) 367-0646.
Peltier Winery & Vineyards
Peltier Winery & Vineyards is a family-owned estate winery in the Lodi AVA, drawing on generations of farming expertise. Phone: (209) 367-4882.
Wilson Family Winery
Wilson Family Winery creates small-batch, artisanal wines that highlight the character of Lodi. Phone: (209) 329-1474.
Jessie’s Grove Winery
Jessie’s Grove Winery connects Lodi’s winemaking history with generations of family tradition and handcrafted, small-batch wines. Phone: (209) 368-0880.
Oak Ridge Winery
Oak Ridge Winery joins more than a century of family farming tradition with contemporary winemaking. Phone: (209) 369-4758.
Klinker Brick Winery
Klinker Brick Winery represents six generations of the Felten family and a legacy rooted in Lodi. Phone: (209) 333-1845.
GoodMills Family Winery
GoodMills Family Winery is a boutique, family-owned destination among the vineyards on Lodi’s east side, offering a welcoming tasting experience. Phone: (209) 727-0728.
Heritage Oak Winery
Heritage Oak Winery is a family-owned and operated property along the Mokelumne River offering a taste of Lodi Wine Country. Phone: (209) 986-2763.
St. Jorge Winery
St. Jorge Winery brings the flavors of Portugal to Lodi wine country, with family tradition shaping the wines. Phone: (209) 365-0202.
Fields Family Winery
Fields Family Winery is a family-owned boutique winery known for small-lot wines in the heart of Lodi Wine Country. Phone: (209) 327-6306.
Jeremy Wine Company
Jeremy Wine Company is a welcoming boutique winery founded by Jeremy and Choral in the heart of Lodi wine country. Phone: (209) 367-3773.
Twisted Barrel Winery
Twisted Barrel Winery is a family-owned boutique winery specializing in small-lot wines inspired by Italian traditions. Phone: (209) 334-2554.
Durst Winery & Estate
Durst Winery & Estate is a Lodi destination offering handcrafted wine and a relaxed setting. Outside food is not permitted on the property due to the addition of a new pizza oven and kitchen. Phone: (209) 601-1413.
Lodi Wine Visitor Center
Recognized as the gateway to the Lodi Appellation, the Lodi Wine Visitor Center presents the diversity that makes the region one of California’s most exciting wine destinations. Phone: (209) 365-0621.
Dancing Coyote Wines
Dancing Coyote is a family-run vineyard in California’s picturesque Clarksburg appellation, with a farming legacy in the Delta region. Phone: (209) 368-1473.
One Way Winery
One Way Winery grew from a long-held desire to live in the country, surrounded by wide-open spaces and the quiet of rural life. Phone: (209) 918-0692.
Block 21 Winery
Block 21 Winery is a family-owned vineyard where generations of farming tradition support estate-grown wines. Phone: (209) 294-9920.
Calivines Winery & Olive Mill
Calivines Winery & Olive Mill reflects Lodi’s agricultural heritage, with the Coldani family making homemade wine since the 1920s. Phone: (209) 210-3162.
Nostra Vita Family Winery
Nostra Vita Family Winery is a family-owned boutique winery west of Lodi, surrounded by vineyards and generations of winegrowing experience. Phone: (209) 334-0274.
Van Ruiten Family Winery
Van Ruiten Family Winery is a family-owned Lodi winery based on generations of grape growing and a commitment to winemaking. Phone: (209) 334-5722.
Bear Creek Winery
Bear Creek Winery. Phone: (209) 368-3113.
E2 Family Winery
E2 Family Winery. Phone: (209) 334-5911.
Housley’s Century Oak Winery
Housley’s Century Oak Winery is a family-owned winery in Acampo and the heart of Lodi Wine Country, built on generations of experience. Phone: (209) 334-3482.
Jeremy Wine Co. Lockeford
Jeremy Wine Company - Lockeford offers the boutique winery experience of Jeremy Wine Company in Lodi wine country. Phone: (209) 367-3773.
The Dancing Fox Winery & Brewery
The Dancing Fox Winery, Brewery & Restaurant is a distinctive downtown Lodi destination in a beautifully appointed setting. Phone: (209) 366-2634.
Oak Farm Vineyards
Oak Farm Vineyards is a family-owned estate winery in Lodi Wine Country combining award-winning wines, history and warm hospitality. Phone: (209) 365-6565.
Bokisch Vineyards
Bokisch Vineyards pairs Spanish winemaking traditions with the terroir of the Clements Hills AVA. Phone: (209) 642-8880.
Spenker Family Farm
Spenker Family Farm & Winery represents a Lodi wine country legacy built through generations of farming. Phone: (209) 367-0467.
Estate Crush
Estate Crush is a premier custom crush facility and tasting destination in downtown Lodi, producing exceptional small-lot wines. Phone: (209) 368-7595.
Woodbridge Uncorked
Woodbridge Uncorked offers local wine, craft beer and live music in downtown Woodbridge. It is a Lodi Rules Certified tasting destination. Phone: (209) 333-8463.
Mettler Family Vineyards
Mettler Family Vineyards carries more than a century of Lodi winegrowing tradition and family stewardship. Phone: (209) 369-3045.
Rippey at Lodi Vintners
Rippey Family Vineyards draws on four generations of Napa Valley heritage and the California wine experience of brothers Nathan and Tyson. Phone: (209) 368-2019.
LVVR Sparkling Cellars
LVVR Sparkling Cellars specializes exclusively in elegant traditional-method sparkling wine as a boutique Lodi winery. Phone: (209) 727-6062.
WOO GIRL! Cellars
WOO GIRL! Cellars at Langford Manor is located at the historic Langford Manor, an 1850s vineyard estate along the Mokelumne River. Phone: (209) 901-9643.
Peirano Estate Vineyards
Peirano Estate Vineyards is one of Lodi’s historic family-owned wineries, shaped by five generations of farming and winemaking. Phone: (209) 369-9463.
Consumnes River Farm
Consumnes River Farm reflects four generations of family farming and an appreciation for the earth and sustainable practices. Phone: (209) 334-5544.
Stonum Vineyards
Stonum Vineyards produces handcrafted, small-batch wines through sustainable farming and terroir-driven winemaking. Phone: (209) 224-8130.
Additional Lodi Content
A Local’s Guide to Exploring Downtown Lodi
Voted America's Favorite Small Town, Downtown Lodi combines historic character, award-winning wine, restaurants, distinctive shops, live music and an easy-to-walk atmosphere.
48 Hours of Adventure in Lodi Wine Country
In California’s Central Valley, Lodi brings together world-class wineries, charming downtown streets, historical landmarks and outdoor adventure.
Award Winning Lodi Wines from the 2026 California State Fair
The 2026 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition results include 182 medals and six Best of California awards for Lodi wines.
What’s Happening in Lodi
A monthly round-up features local events, winery happenings and things to do, shared by people who know Lodi best.
Your Guide to Lodi’s Food, Wine & Adventure
Visit Lodi’s guide covers wineries, restaurants and experiences.
Visit the Travel Trade Resources | Plan & Sell Lodi, California | Visit Lodi page →