Just miles away from Stockton, the small town of Lodi was recently named “America’s Favorite Small Town” by Parade and Steller, in a national competition.
The small town competition search asked voters for their favorite small town as part of the signing of the Declaration of Independence 250th anniversary and Parade’s Magazine, 85th anniversary, with the goal of highlighting “hidden gems that define the heart of America,” a Parade and Steller news release states.
“I’m thrilled for Lodi and proud to see our community receive this recognition. Lodi’s geography, industry, culture and history have helped shape the city we know and love today,” Lodi’s Mayor Ramón Yepez, said in a statement. “Everything people see and experience here can be traced back to generations of residents who cared deeply about this community and helped make it what it is.”
Parade and Steller’s competition invited tourism boards, municipalities, and residents to nominate their towns. There were 40 finalists. Parade’s Editors then chose 10 regional winners eligible for the national prize, according to a Parade and Steller’s news release.
The 10 regional winners included Bend, Oregon, and Lodi, California, in the West, along with eight other towns in the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest and Southwest.
“Lodi stood out not only for its world-class Zinfandel and stunning scenery but for the palpable passion of its residents,” Lisa Delaney, general manager and chief content officer of Parade, said in a news release. “Throughout the competition, the people of Lodi mobilized with incredible energy, showcasing why their home is a ‘hidden gem’ that travelers need to experience. We are honored to celebrate a community that so perfectly balances deep historical roots with a forward-thinking, welcoming spirit.”
Lodi also won 182 medals at the 2026 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, Parade Magazine reported. That is in comparison to 54 medals earned by Napa Valley.
The “Zinfandel Capital of the World” impressed voters and judges with its walkable historic downtown, farmers’ markets, and its commitment to preserving culture, with the Lodi Grape Festival that has been going on since 1934, according to Parade and Steller.
“Today, Lodi is beloved for its approachable wine culture, inviting visitors to wander into tasting rooms without reservations, chat directly with winemakers, and discover more than 135 grape varietals along the way,” the news release states.
“We’re beyond thrilled and honestly a little blown away,” Wes Rhea, president and CEO of Visit Lodi, said in the news release. “This win belongs to the people of Lodi, our residents, small business owners, hospitality partners and everyone who voted and rallied their friends, families and coworkers. Lodi showed up with heart, and we’re grateful Parade and Steller are shining a national spotlight on our small town and inviting the country to experience it.”
Lodi will receive a premier awards package as the national winner, the news release states. This includes national exposure, bragging rights, and a “Parade x Steller” event celebration at Lodi Lake on July 4.
“We created this initiative to move beyond the usual tourist destinations and shine a light on the towns that define the American experience,” said Pete Bryant, CEO of Steller, in a news release. “Lodi is a masterclass in how a town can leverage digital storytelling to share its authentic self with the world. We can’t wait to bring the Steller community to Lodi this July to celebrate this well-deserved win.”
Lodi’s 4th of July festivities
This year’s Independence Day celebrations will begin early morning from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4, with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at Lodi Lake Park, at 1101 W. Turner Road. Breakfast items will include all-you-can-eat pancakes. There will also be sausage, coffee, milk and orange juice.
This is a ticketed event. Tickets for the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast are free for children under 5 years old, $8 for children 5 to 12 years old, and $15 for anyone 13 years old and over.
Advanced tickets can be purchased at the following locations in Lodi or at the gate on the day of the event.
The 4th of July Celebration will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday at Lodi Lake. The town will also celebrate its recognition as America’s Favorite Small Towns 2026 on this day.
Admission for the afternoon 4th of July celebration is free.
Fireworks will begin shortly after sunset, sometime between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., the event is expected to end around 9:30 p.m., just after the fireworks finale, the Visit Lodi website states.
Lodi’s history
Lodi was originally called Mokelumne and was founded in August 1869, “when the Central Pacific Railroad chose the site for a station on its new route,” the city of Lodi website states.
“The town consisted of a store/post office building, a hotel, and the station. In the spring of 1870, people from neighboring towns moved to Mokelumne until, by October, there were 56 houses,” city officials said.
The town’s name was changed to Lodi in 1874, but no one knows why. Two years before, the first school was built and the first newspaper began publishing in 1878 as the Valley Review.
“Lodi kept progressing even though a fire in 1887 destroyed the downtown area along Sacramento Street. In 1891, water and gas service was provided and electric service came ten years later. By 1895, Lodi had a volunteer fire department but law enforcement was supplied by the county and the township until 1906. A library was finally established in 1901,” the city of Lodi website states. “The Central California Traction Company began electric trolley service through Lodi in 1907.
“That was also the year of the Tokay Carnival which was held to promote Lodi’s most famous product, the Flame Tokay grape. Another major attraction of the carnival was the newly-built Lodi Arch.”
In 1906, the unincorporated city became incorporated in a vote of two to one. The first mayor of Lodi was George Lawrence in 1906.
Lodi’s population is estimated at 6,100, according to the United States Census for 2025.
“Lodi continues to build on its stand-out reputation for an exceptional quality of life, one-of-a-kind visitor experiences, and thoughtful growth,” said Yepez, Lodi’s mayor. “I hope everyone has the opportunity to visit Lodi at least once and discover what makes our city so special.”
To learn more about Lodi, check out Visit Lodi or follow visitlodi on Instagram.
Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers business and community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Lodi wins ‘America’s Favorite Small Town’ title
Reporting by Angelaydet Rocha, The Stockton Record / The Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Angelaydet Rocha, The Stockton Record | USA TODAY Network
