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By Jessica Nguyen
We’ve now arrived at that time of year again: mid-term season. Students experience enough stress trying to study for midterms, the least they should worry about is finding a relaxing place to study! We know that solving equations and reviewing study guides in your room or campus library can become a bit dreary, so we’ve compiled a list of perfect Downtown Stockton study spots for the times you need a change in atmosphere.
Cesar Chavez Library, 605 N. El Dorado St.
The Cesar Chavez Library’s spacious, quiet atmosphere is the ideal location to skim- I mean, thoroughly read those textbook chapters for class. In addition, the library houses over 20 computer workstations equipped with necessities such as Microsoft Office and Internet access. It also offers free Wi-Fi for those who choose to bring their own laptops (try not to get distracted and click on that Netflix tab- I know it’s tempting). Available services such as printing, scanning and fax may also be helpful in your studying endeavor.
Empresso Coffeehouse, 222 N. El Dorado St. & 22 N. San Joaquin St.
This beloved local coffeehouse has two downtown locations. The free Wi-Fi coupled with the inviting smell of coffee make both locations great spots to balance those chemical equations. Both locations have an outside seating area if you’d like to enjoy a little breeze and the beautiful weather as you type away on your laptop. On Yelp, Sue B. shares her experience at the El Dorado Empresso location, writing, “I love hanging out at this newish coffeehouse on El Dorado to read, study, or simply to socialize.”
Fusion Boba Café, 25 S. Hunter St.
The milk tea craze is not dying down anytime soon! Kill two birds with one stone- get your boba fix and some studying done by visiting Downtown Stockton’s Fusion Boba Café, the only location to serve milk tea and boba in the entire downtown area. The quiet, clean café offers free Wi-Fi and plenty of tables, so you can bring your whole crew with you. Memorizing your speech for your public speaking class is so much easier with a tasty boba drink in your hand!
Terra Coffee, 111 S. Sutter St.
Terra Coffee is a chic café located in the Mexican Heritage Center. The bright interior, welcoming atmosphere and numerous tables make it a great place to brainstorm your next research topic. Even if you pulled an all-nighter the night before (we’ve all been there), stay wide-awake for your study session by sipping on a coffee from Terra’s delicious selections. If you’re an art student, you have even more of a reason to visit Terra- the art exhibits in the gallery will definitely provide some inspiration for your next piece!
Trail Coffee Roasters, 501 E. Main St.
Trail Coffee has a casual, bright atmosphere, hip vibe, and is complete with free Wi-Fi, a must-have for students (or for anyone nowadays, really). The inviting smells of freshly brewed coffee make ordering one hard to resist, and the aesthetics of their pastries and platters make it hard not to snap a photo for Instagram. Look at it this way: you can get your social media fix out of the way before hunkering down to study geometry. Don’t forget to hashtag #TrailCoffeeRoasters!
Now that you know of some study spots in Downtown Stockton, you have no reason not to ace those mid-terms! Let us know which one is your favorite and happy studying!
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By Jessica Nguyen
“Art is too important not to share.” – Romero Britto, famous Brazilian artist, painter, serigrapher and sculptor
Everyone has a little bit of an artist in them. You might disagree, and think to yourself, “I don’t paint,” or “HA. I can only draw stick figures.” What we often forget is that art is a form of expression– and you can express yourself any way you want to. You may not be the next Picasso, Shakespeare or Beethoven, and sure, your piece of artwork probably won’t become as famous as the Mona Lisa, but this doesn’t change the fact that you expressed yourself – your thoughts, feelings, and/or emotions you may not have necessarily been able to put into words.
What is Art Splash?
Appreciation for art expression is not lost on Joy Neas, Coordinator of Downtown Stockton’s ArtSplash, a FREE, self-guided tour of various downtown venues that display local art of all shapes, sizes, color, and variety. Being a photographer, crocheter, and sidewalk chalk art enthusiast herself, Joy encourages artists of all skill levels to display their work in ArtSplash events, stating, “we have everybody, we accept everybody. We give an immersive experience.” She continues, “It’s one thing to make art, but to feel like you’re a real artist, you need to show your art.” And show art they do- past ArtSplash artists have showcased everything from photography, music, weaving, sculpting, drawing, painting, ceramics, animation, and more!
From toddlers to senior citizens and all stages in between, ArtSplash has proudly displayed art from artists of all ages. It reminds us that art has no age limit- all that’s needed is the passion to create (some paintbrushes or musical instruments would probably help, too). Some unique art displays featured in past ArtSplash events included a local filmmaker who showcased her original short films and a Renaissance Group who wove and made ceramics while adorned in their renaissance-styled attire. Some displays are even interactive, allowing visitors to join in on the painting or model for an art piece (if you’ve always wanted to model and never had the chance, this is your opportunity!).
Why Downtown?
Why is Downtown Stockton the perfect location for ArtSplash? Joy shares that there are many reasons, including the simple fact that she loves the downtown area. “Downtown to me is the heart of the city. Downtown has so much character with the historical buildings, beautiful waterfront, and all the different cultures that make up Stockton.” Another reason Downtown Stockton is the ideal location for ArtSplash is that it helps people to “get to know these buildings.” Having art displayed in various downtown venues means that visitors get to view the inside of buildings they otherwise would have never had the chance to see. For instance, RTD was an ArtSplash venue, and visitors were able to experience the inside of its beautiful conference room.
Currently in its 8th year, ArtSplash takes place on the second Fridays of months May through October from 5 – 8 PM at various downtown locations (check our events calendar for more information). There are only a couple ArtSplash events left this season, so what are you waiting for? Get in touch with your creative side and grab some paint, a guitar, a camera, Renaissance gear, flowers- anything! And while you are creating, remember Joy’s words, “Anything can be art.” Check it out TONIGHT!
Joy is always in search of new artists and venues! If you would like to participate in an upcoming ArtSplash event(s) or if you are interested in offering a downtown venue, please contact her at [email protected] she’d love to hear from you!
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By Nissi Guiao
“Dogs are a man’s best friend.” You’ve probably heard this a thousand times, but it’s true – they are – and you’d likely take them everywhere if you could. Right!? Well, with summer 2019 off to an amazing start, it’s the perfect time to enjoy some fun in the sun. And thanks to these dog-friendly spots downtown, you can properly enjoy these gorgeous, summer days with your furry family member right by your side.
DELICIOSA’S – Waterfront Warehouse at 445 West Weber Avenue #126
What goes better with summer than BBQ? Grab a delicious bite to eat, or a drink from their cafe while you and your dog enjoy the fresh air and patio view of the iconic waterfront. Heck, you should bring the whole family with this kind of a dreamy setup.
EMPRESSO COFFEEHOUSE –222 N. El Dorado St. Suite C
Looking for something more chill? Invite a friend, spend some time on their patio, and watch your dog pull all kinds of friendly attention from people passing by. With tea, coffee, espresso, beer, and sandwiches on their menu, you have many options to choose from to help you stay a while. Don’t forget to ask for a puppuccino to treat your canine companion!
MISAKI –222 N. El Dorado St. Suite M
You can’t go wrong with sushi! Take your dog with you next time you’re craving Misaki; their outdoor patio is perfect to spend a little QT with your “pup” while you enjoy (arguably) one of the best foods on the planet.
I SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM –347 E. Weber Ave.
Calling all small dog owners! Take your little one for a drive and make your way to this awesome ice cream parlor. Stay cool and beat the heat while you enjoy a scoop or two (or three 😉 no judgement here) of your favorite flavors.
STARBUCKS – 522 N El Dorado St
A classic. Take your dog for a walk around MLK JR. Plaza on Oak Street. Then, when it’s time to take a break, grab your favorite drink from Starbucks and enjoy it on their cute, outdoor patio while your fur baby takes down a delightful puppuccino.
TERRA COFFEE –111 S Sutter St.
Aside from serving their delicious drinks, this gem of a location also houses art exhibits that you’ll want to check out (if you haven’t already). Now that you know that they welcome dogs on a leash (under control and not barking, of course), don’t want to wait to plan your visit! Make it an excuse to get out of the house with your dog and enjoy this fun, local spot.
TRAIL COFFEE ROASTERS –501 E Main St.
Bless your soul by making a trip to Trail. You’ll likely get sucked in by the stunning ambiance, but you’ll stay for the excellent coffee. They also serve brunch! Bring your dog to hang out on the beautiful, sunny patio area and see what the rave is all about. They welcome all dogs (don’t sleep on this news). Once you’ve had your morning brew, head a few blocks east to tree-filled Independence Park (802 Market Street) where you and your four-legged friend can walk off a few calories.
Do this community a favor and show off your four-legged favorite. (We want to see and gush over all the doggies!) You deserve to enjoy this summer… and with these cool spots making a real effort to be dog-friendly, you have every reason to go out (with your best furry friend) and thoroughly enjoy yourself.
Jack Johnson said it best, “It’s always better when we’re together…” so don’t think twice about it—bring your dog with you and make your way downtown now 🙂
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By Jessica Nguyen
If you’re scouring the Internet and scrolling through Facebook event pages in search of things to do 4th of July weekend, look no further! Close those tabs, sit back, relax, and put on some patriotic tunes ‘cause we’ve put together an itinerary for your entire weekend! Whether you choose to do everything listed below or can only make a few events, you’re sure to have a fun, family-friendly (and wallet-friendly) Fourth of July (or, you can leave the kids at home- hey, it’s your weekend too).
City of Stockton’s 4th of July Celebration, Weber Point
Thursday, July 4th
Stockton’s Fourth of July Parade
Parade begins at 10am and starts on Weber Avenue and El Dorado Street, travels north on El Dorado, left on Oak Street, and left on Center Street. The grandstand (main viewing area) will be located in front of the Stockton Civic Memorial Auditorium.
Start your 4th of July celebration early and attend Downtown Stockton’s Fourth of July Parade hosted by the United Veterans Council of San Joaquin County. The parade will honor Gold Star Families, or immediate family members of fallen service members who died while serving in a time of conflict. Bring the entire family and enjoy lively music, colorful floats, and other eye-catching entities while adorned in red, white and blue attire and patriotically waving your miniature American flags. If spectating is not your thing, you can sign up to participate in the parade! Build that float or ready your trumpet and you’re good to go!
City’s 4th of July Celebration
5:30pm-10:00pm at the Weber Point Event Center, fireworks begin at 9:30pm
How can it be a 4th of July without fireworks? Bring your loved ones to view a spectacular fireworks show at the Weber Point Event Center! Take along blankets or lawn chairs to settle in before the start of the spectacle; and if you didn’t opt for an early dinner at one of Downtown’s tasty restaurants, then bring a picnic-style dinner to enjoy (turkey sandwiches sound great, but they don’t beat fried soft shell crab followed by a delicious Dynamite Roll from Misaki’s- just sayin’). Bring your mini flags and good vibes, but leave the alcohol, personal fireworks, hard coolers, barbeque grills and pets at home.
Kaboom 4th of July
6:00pm-10:00pm at the Downtown Stockton Marina, fireworks start at 9:00pm.
Not only are there fireworks, but this FREE event includes face painting, music, and a bounce house- perfect for kids (and adults -if face painting is your thing…)! Food will also be available for purchase. At 9pm, once you’re full and the kids’ faces are covered with drying paint, you and your family will have an excellent view as you bask in the thunderous booms of fireworks and watch them light up the sky with their brilliant hues.
6:10pm-9:00pm at Downtown Stockton’s Banner Island Ballpark
What’s a more patriotic sport than baseball? Join the Ports and fellow fans for the ballpark’s biggest firework show of the year! But first, cheer on our local team as they play against the Modesto Nuts. Grab some ballpark snacks (chomp down on some nuts and show the Modesto Nuts who’s boss) and enjoy the Delta breeze as you view America’s Favorite Pastime on the day we celebrate America’s Independence.
Hooray, it’s Friday! After an exciting Independence Day, catch a movie and head to the downtown cinema to sink into reclining seats with a refreshing drink in one hand and a bag of popcorn in the other. With so many great movies hitting theaters, it’s almost too hard to choose the film for Friday movie night. Do you go with the highly anticipated Toy Story 4? The action-packed Spider-Man: Far From Home? Or others that are also probably really great but not mentioned because the author of this article is so focused on waiting for Toy Story 4? Good luck deciding!
Local favorite Mama Coon will be performing at Channel Brewing Co., playing originals and covers on her guitar. Come by, purchase one of Channel’s delicious craft beers, and revel in the camaraderie of one of downtown’s hottest spots and the energy of the live music.
7:10pm at Downtown Stockton’s Banner Island Ballpark
Why not make it a baseball weekend? Come to downtown’s ballpark Friday night to cheer on the Stockton Ports. The first 1,000 fans to arrive will receive a free pair of American Flag socks- talk about patriotic! But that isn’t the only thing that’ll knock your socks off (pun intended)- come dressed as your favorite superhero, ‘cause it’s Super Hero Day! And yes, He-Man counts.
Get up early to pick up some fresh produce from the open air Asian farmer’s market under the Cross Town Freeway! The market offers fresh seasonal produce of all kinds – herbs, fish, eggs, sweets, and other tasty Asian treats from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, China, and India. Grab the best ingredients for your family lunch and/or dinner!
You know what else you need for this 4th of July weekend? Rock music! Come see Brit Floyd at downtown’s Bob Hope Theater! Brit Floyd is widely regarded as the world’s greatest live tribute to rock band Pink Floyd, complete with a stunning multi-million dollar light show, large circular screen, projections, lasers, inflatables and theatrics. Playing hit songs from Pink Floyd’s classic albums such as Wish You Were Here and Animals, you’re sure to enjoy this performance- besides, you’re probably going to need a break from Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA”.
10:00am to 2:00pm at the Delta Bistro and Lounge in the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel
Sunday is for brunch! And mimosas, of course. If you’ve never been to the Delta Bistro for brunch, Fourth of July weekend is the perfect excuse to try it! Stuff yourself with country potatoes, sweet cream pancakes, house cured and smoked salmon, and some carved to order prime rib! Relax in this chic atmosphere and get your brunch on.
If you want to enjoy brunch on a rooftop during a beautiful sunny morning, this is the place for you. Every Sunday, Fleur Bistro partners with Bella Vista Rooftop to bring you a delicious brunch experience in a beautiful setting. This Fourth of July weekend is only the second Sunday of this new collaboration! Come check it out.
Since the 4th of July is all about honoring our nation’s history, why not conclude your weekend by learning the history behind Downtown Stockton’s oldest buildings on the Walk With Weber self-guided tour? All you need is your smartphone, a stocked snack bag, and comfy walking shoes to step back into the early days of Stockton.
Walk With Weber is available on the DSA website for FREE, and since it is self-guided, can be taken at your leisure (though we recommend late afternoon to enjoy the colors of the setting sun as the weather begins cooling down). To take the tour, walk yourself to 125 Bridge Place (where the tour begins), and open the tour menu on your smartphone to view the tour stops, in recommended order. As you walk to each stop, click on the name of the building to enjoy a slideshow of historic photos and insightful narration by historian Manuel Laguna.
With 24 video clips, this tour takes 2 hours to walk, so we recommend a snack break between stops #6 and #7 – sit on a bench facing the peaceful waterfront and observe the row of gently waving American flags along Weber Point. Once you’ve completed the tour, you’ll be ready to reward yourself with something nice and cool, like a thick chocolate milkshake from Moo Moo’s Burger Barn or a fresh fruit smoothie from Edible Arrangements! Indulge and enjoy!
Now that you’re in-the-know about these Independence Day weekend possibilities, we hope you’ll choose Downtown for your red, white, and bluing! Happy celebrating!
To keep informed about any other events going on Downtown this weekend, visit our events calendar. To receive monthly updates on what’s happening in Downtown, sign up for our newsletter.
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By Nissi Guiao
Downtown Stockton is full of life, housing an abundance of treasure all around and within the walls of the unique businesses who’ve made these blocks their home. There is plenty to do—new things to see, good eats to share, a variety of places to shop, etc. And even though parking has been a top deterrence in times past, there are now so many options to get around.
EASY-TO-USE PARKING MACHINES
The first is simple. Like Nike, #justdoit! Nowadays, there are electronic parking machines pretty much around every corner. Plus, they are very easy to use. Simply punch in your license plate, select your desired amount of time, then pay with card or coin (literally easy as 1-2-3). Just be sure to pay attention to posted signage in your location, as maximum time limits do vary pending the area you are in.
SJ RTD
If you don’t fancy parking and don’t want to have to think about it, RTDis one of the next best options to make your way downtown. Lori Mumphrey, one of RTD’s very own passionate transit ambassadors at the Downtown Transit Center, knows all of the ins and outs. If you’re excited to jump in and take a bus downtown, here’s the 411 from her.
“Our biggest route that we have most people on is our Express 40. And that leaves from here (downtown) to all the way up Pacific to our Hammer Triangle… ‘cause it passes several of our colleges in that area, to the mall. And those buses are actually the ‘big buses,’ the double buses as I call [them]. . .those are always filled. Also our 520 – that has a lot of people on there -runs up and down California Street to the mall as well. Our 510 runs from here all the way down San Joaquin up toward the San Joaquin Hospital and that area. . .the 47 runs from downtown to the DMV. A lot of our buses do run hourly except for our Express buses—they run every 15-20 minutes.”
So if you’re near the Hammer Triangle or if you’re hanging out near the malls, the popular Express 40 (Pacific Corridor) will take you to the Downtown Transit Center, where you’ll be within walking distance to all the places you’ll want to check out or re-visit. If you’re not quite near the route the Express 40 hits, take advantage of the helpful “Trip Planner” (powered by Google) on the homepage or sidebar of their website (sanjoaquinrtd.com) to figure out the most efficient way to get from your specific location to your desired location with ease.
RTD GO! + RTD VAN GO!
If, however, you prefer something even simpler than that, RTD now offers RTD Go! and RTD Van Go! Far greater than transportation via bus, our county’s trusted transit system has implemented other services that ensure even more comfort and convenience for the communities it serves.
RTD Go! “offers an on-demand service with Uber and JVG that subsidizes qualifying trips, provides more mobility options with extended service hours and allows passengers to save up to 50% (up to $5.00 per ride) using the Uber app.”
RTD Van Go! “provides an on-demand rideshare service throughout the county, expands service to rural areas where transportation options may be limited, offers an accessible, safe vehicle that can transport passengers with wheelchairs and features drivers that are professionally trained, licensed, and prepared to help.”
With pure excitement, Mumphrey shares her personal experience: “I really love the new service which is the Van Go! I love that service—I use it myself, personally. The Van Go!, it runs just like Lyft and Uber (but we’re cheaper… I love it). . .Cute, little bus. Cute—just cute! Over the weekend, I used it for my family, and we left from my house and went down here to this ice cream parlor. We loved it! Nobody had to drive…”
Unlike regular bus services, RTD Van Go! runs “7 days a week, even on holidays (Monday-Friday from 6:00am-6:00pm/Saturday & Sunday from 6:00am-10:00pm)” says Mumphrey. “For a $4 one-way ride, you and 3…other people can go on that one ride. Our all-day pass is $10 (that’s for our regular), [where] you and 3…other people [can ride] as well. Then we have our discount for our seniors and disabled. One ride is $3—the all-day for them is $7. But what makes it so nice is you can share it with other people. You know, if everybody comes to your home and nobody feels like driving but you want to go to the winery in Lodi, they have transfer points.”
If you haven’t spotted the colorful buses around town yet, Emily Oestreicher (Marketing Senior Specialist for SJ RTD) says “You’ll recognize them now that we’re talking about it. A lot of them actually look like Van Gogh paintings. . .” Plus, “a lot of people have been using that service because. . .[just like Lyft and Uber] we have an app. . .and for things happening downtown like at the Bob Hope (stuff like that)…you don’t want to worry about parking. . .it’s an excellent service.”
With these new additions to RTD, there is no reason to withhold yourself from enjoying everything downtown has to offer.
Visit sanjoaquinrtd.com for more details on trips, senior and veteran discounts and other services. If you need help at one of the transit locations, feel free to ask any of the friendly and knowledgeable RTD transit ambassadors, and they will happily assist you.
DIBS
“Smart travel, your way” is their motto. Dibs is a fresh travel resource in our community that everyone should know about, especially those who are sustainability-minded.
“Dibs does more than just give you directions. [They] offer transportation options, incentives, tips and even emergency rides home. [They] also bring car and vanpool participants together. You want easy options designed to fit your needs. By foot, bike, car, bus, train, carpool or vanpool, [they’re] your portal to smart travel to save you money, reduce road congestion and improve air quality.”
Making and keeping our environments healthier—cleaner—just like anything else, takes one step at a time. And quite literally, with one of the options Dibs suggests, you can start taking steps right away by walking to work, if that’s a plausible option for you.
Everyone has a part to play – you just have to start somewhere. “Call Dibs on how you get around today at 1-800-52-SHARE.”
ACE
Perhaps you’re feeling adventurous and want to take a trip to the Bay Area. If that’s the case, take ACE (located on 949 E. Channel St.)! Many ride the ACE train for their normal commute to work, but it is also a great way to take a trip out of town. ACE will take you directly to Santa Clara or San Jose—there is even an option to go straight to Great America for a fun day in the sun!
If you’re planning a trip to SF and don’t want to deal with the headache of parking costs or the drive, ACE will take you to its Pleasanton location where you can easily transfer to BART and go directly into the heart of the city. ACE is an excellent gateway to the Bay, and the best part is, you can access it right from downtown!
As things continue to bloom and blossom, you don’t want to miss being part of it. Grab a friend (or invite a group) and take advantage of any or all of these ways to get around downtown—add to the life and excitement that’s found on every block…
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By Jessica Nguyen
Before we start the article, here’s some bike wisdom for good measure:
A bicycle can’t stand on its own. It’s two-tired.
Downtown Stockton is home to many things: historic buildings, delicious eateries, aromatic coffee shops, exciting events, and a thriving bike community. From Downtown-based groups like the San Joaquin Bike Coalition, Roadfinch, and the HUB, to bicyclists who pass through Downtown Stockton, ride to work, or bike recreationally in the area, downtown is a bustling center of cycle-based activity.
Whether bikers choose to ride along the glittering waterfront, on breezy bike paths lined by popular Downtown hangouts, or anywhere in between, Downtown Stockton attracts bikers of all ages and skill levels. In fact, between the months of April and October, bike enthusiasts gather monthly downtown for casual evening rides. These rides, known as the Full Moon Riders, each follow a different downtown route and conclude at a participating downtown restaurant.
San Joaquin Bike Coalition
The San Joaquin Bike Coalition is one of the founding groups
of the Full Moon Riders. Although unsure at how the evening bike rides would initially
be received by the community, Kari McNickle, board president of the SJ Bike
Coalition, reflects that the Full Moon Riders quickly became “successful,
beyond what we ever could have imagined,” and that now, it’s “one of our [The
SJ Bike Coalition’s] favorite events to lead and promote.”
The San Joaquin Bike Coalition, a nonprofit organization, advocates for bicycle safety and helps to promote bicycle-related events. Their events and group rides are not only lively, but are also completely free to the public. The Bike Coalition is based in Downtown Stockton’s Huddle, a coworking space located on N. San Joaquin Street. Huddle’s central location and inexpensive fees make it a perfect space for the nonprofit, McNickle explains. Bike Coalition members also hold meetings at popular downtown spots nearby and pop into places like Cast Iron, Trail, and Channel Brewing Co.
Kari McNickle proudly states that the SJ Bike Coalition has been around for nearly 10 years. What makes this board president so passionate about cycling in particular? She shares, “I love that it’s a way to get around that connects you with your neighborhood and community.” Bringing cyclists together for bike rides strengthens the sense of community and helps to promote local businesses in the area. She adds adamantly, “it’s really important we [local businesses and organizations] support each other.”
The HUB
Another well-known and revered figure in the downtown biking
community is Deacon Steve, operator of the HUB and Deacon at the Episcopal
Church of St. John the Evangelist right next door. The HUB provides FREE assistance
to those in need of bike repairs (or bikes) and on average, the HUB sees at
least 100 visitors a week. Many of these visitors rely on derelict bicycles as
their sole means of transportation and lack the funds to replace or repair
them. Deacon Steve and the HUB’s 5 volunteers relentlessly work to help: just
last year they assisted with 4,000 repairs, and within the past 3 years have given
away over 300 bikes!
The HUB also partners with downtown’s seasonal Full Moon Riders events. Annually, Deacon Steve performs a Bike Blessing to “pray that they [the bicyclists] have a safe cycling year“ before leading the cyclists on their downtown journey. Deacon Steve loves the “freedom of movement” and how bicycles provide “access to your own personal freedom.”
It’s time to dust off your old bicycle, grab a helmet, and head Downtown to join this energetic, lively, and passionate bike community. Explore the downtown area with freedom and the feeling of wind through your hair (or on your face, if you have no hair- we don’t judge). You can join the San Joaquin Bike Coalition, participate in an upcoming Full Moon Riders event (June 17th, July 16th, August 15th, etc.), or grab some friends to bike with and as Deacon Steve nicely puts it, “find a route that works best for you.”
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Downtown Stockton is a place where people of all ages can find something for them and have a great time, especially in the summer season! With summer vacation fast approaching, families with kids can consider spending some time together exploring downtown Stockton at the following events and locations.
Regal Cinemas Stockton City Centre & IMAX
Almost everyone in Stockton visits the downtown area when they want to see movies. This summer, there are plenty of films coming soon to the Regal Cinemas Stockton City Centre for families to check out.
If you’ve already seen the much anticipated Avengers: Endgame, you might want to get tickets to see Ugly Dolls, Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, A Dog’s Journey, Aladdin, The Secret Life of Pets 2, Toy Story 4, The Lion King, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, or The Angry Birds Movie 2.
For the families interested in bicycling or enjoy being active over the summer, the Full Moon Riders is the perfect event series. Each ride begins at 6:00 PM on the night of the full moon from May – Oct., and always begins at Janet Leigh Plaza. It’s a great opportunity to ride along with the community and explore downtown Stockton.
For future riding dates and additional information check out,
Sports-loving families can get together and cheer on the Stockton Ports. Watch the minor league team take on opposing teams, while spending time together as a family. The Stockton Ports offer plenty of promotions throughout the summer for fans to have even a better time at the ballpark.
Bonus: The DSA also does frequent Ports game ticket giveaways via social media, so if you’re not already following DSA’s facebook, instagram, and twitter, you may want to start this summer!
School may be out for the summer, but it is still a good time to expand your mind and learn something new everyday. While you can always visit the Cesar Chavez Library, starting on June 1st to July 31st, families can participate in the San Joaquin County Summer Reading Program. Participants can win prizes at the end of the challenge and there are categories for kids, teens, and adults.
Downtown Stockton is fantastic and fun place for families to spend the summer. It’s always awesome to explore and take on new experiences, and downtown Stockton has a lot to offer families. So maybe think about calling a family meeting and plan a visit to downtown Stockton.
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By Andrew Rocha
Stockmarket is a local event that provides an opportunity for friends and families to explore and experience Stockton businesses. This is Stockmarket’s fifth year and they are in a NEW location at the Waterfront Marina at 445 W. Weber Avenue in #DowntownStockton. This past Saturday (April 20th) was the FIRST Stockmarket of the year! If you missed it, don’t worry! You still have an opportunity to check it out on June 22nd, August 17th, and October 19th from 10am to 4pm.
“With each year and location, we encourage attendees to join us to activate areas of our city that need some love! Our festival will feature 70+ vendors of art, handmade items, vintage goods, live music and tons of delicious local food options. We act as a platform to showcase local small business and to boost our local economy through supporting makers in our city. The festival is free to guests, dog friendly, and creates a fun atmosphere for families and friends to enjoy a day at the beautiful downtown waterfront.”
Founder’s Vision
Amy and Katie, the founders of Stockmarket, had a vision for a space in Stockton where businesses could sell their goods while creating a positive atmosphere in the community. Stockmarket first launched in 2015 with around 700 guests, and now in 2019 they’re attracting almost 3000 guests to a fun event for people of all ages and backgrounds.
“As we grow in size, and people spread the word about what the event is, and what it supports— we continue to hear great feedback from guests. Not only do they feel good about supporting local vendors, they enjoy having a space they can go to free of charge with the whole family (dogs included), to enjoy live music, taste local cuisine and meet new people along the way.”
Resource for Local Businesses
Not only is it a fun time for visitors to explore local businesses and enjoy tasty food, but it’s also good for the vendors. “We have had amazing feedback from our vendors. Not only have we had over 10 small businesses go from booths to brick and mortar, but we constantly hear positive feedback from vendors to surrounding cities who had never previously been to Stockton. It is important for us to change any negative perception people may have of our city, and part of Stockmarket is giving visitors a positive experience they can share with others. We hear all the time Stockmarket has a family feel atmosphere and we are all in it together to create a community event to be proud of.”
If you had a good time at Stockmarket before, you need to check out the event now that they’re downtown. And if you’ve never heard of or been to Stockmarket, definitely come out to the Waterfront Marina in #DowntownStockton to check it out!
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By Andrew Rocha
Bicycling! Whether it’s a hobby, how you get to work, or a way of life, there are a series of events coming soon that you need to be aware of right away! For the fifth year, the Downtown Stockton Alliance is hosting the Full Moon Riders starting TODAY, April 20th. The Full Moon Riders will be gathering to ride every month on the evening of the full moon from April through October. Each ride will be led by various local organizations and be an opportunity to experience the wonder of downtown Stockton. This will also be the first time that the Downtown Stockton Alliance will be donating $1 per rider to a different non-profit organization at each ride.
Courtney Wood, the economic development coordinator for the Downtown Stockton Alliance explained the background and purpose of the Full Moon Riders event. “I think the original goal was that downtown was kind of empty at certain times and [the Downtown Stockton Alliance] were like, ‘wow, this would be great to have bike riding here’ because there aren’t many cars in the evenings when people go home from their offices. So it’s kind of a cool place to bike ride. I think that was part of it: to get people down here to use the streets to promote bicycling.”
Bikes & Bites
Not only is this event an opportunity to give visitors and residents a unique look at downtown Stockton, but also a chance to grab a bite to eat with fellow cyclists. At the end of rides, leaders will direct the riders to some of their favorite restaurants in the area for a filling and delicious dinner or maybe just a quick snack. If anything, it is a chance for people to come together after a fun ride and take pleasure in some downtown Stockton cuisine. Some participating restaurants may even have special deals and offers for the Full Moon Riders.
And if that still doesn’t sound like a good time, there will also be a giveaway at each ride for the first 100 riders. Registration always begins at 5:15pm in Janet Leigh Plaza on the day of the ride.
The Downtown Stockton Alliance Ambassadors will be helping out at the event. Special events ambassador Shirley Griffith explained the role that the ambassadors play during the event. “We have a table set up with giveaways and signup sheets, so at the beginning we get everybody’s name and email. We also take liability forms and give the riders the giveaway prize. And when they leave the plaza to go on their rides, we load everything up, go to the restaurant that is participating that night and put out bike racks.” So while everyone is enjoying themselves on their rides, it’s the ambassadors that are making sure everyone has a great experience.
So if you’re someone who simply enjoys a leisurely bike ride or you’re a passionate bicyclist, you definitely want to join the Full Moon Riders and experience another side of downtown Stockton. Just remember to ride responsibly and that children under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet.
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Before the April showers bring May flowers, it’s the season of chocolate rabbits and hidden eggs. Easter is this Sunday! Many of the local churches in downtown Stockton will be hosting special Easter services, which we have listed below! Or if a service isn’t how you spend Easter, we’ve also provided some of the restaurants that have brunch or are open for lunch on Sunday!
Services
Stockton Sunrise Service
(Non-Denominational)
Weber Point Events Center, 221 North Center Street, Stockton CA 95202
6:00 AM to 7:00 AM
Reality Church Stockton
(Non Denominational. Part of the Reality Family of Churches)
235 North San Joaquin Street, Stockton CA 95202
There will be two services on Easter Sunday, April 21, at 9:00am and 11:00am
St Mary’s Church
(Catholic)
203 Washington Street, Stockton, CA 95202
There will be mass on Easter Sunday. Exact time TBD.
Saint John the Evangelist Church
(Episcopalian)
316 North El Dorado Street, Stockton, CA 95202
There will be services on Maunday Thursday, April 18, at 5:30pm; Good Friday, April 19, at 12:10pm; and Easter Sunday, April 21, at 10:30am
Pentecostal Church of Jesus
(Non Denominational)
24 South Grant Street, Stockton, CA 95202
There will be service on Easter Sunday, April 21, 11:15am
Brunch or Lunch
And if you’re going to be spending your Easter Sunday eating brunch or lunch with friends and family, there are plenty of options to choose from downtown.
