San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Connect with nature while pedaling or paddling in Lodi
This Central Valley city is an ideal basecamp for adventure seekers. Whether you enjoy being on the water, pedaling the open road or quietly watching natural landscapes and wildlife, Lodi has many opportunities to experience the outdoors.
Its location between the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sierra Nevada Mountains makes it easily accessible, and the city’s quiet back roads are plentiful. The Mokelumne River flows along the edge of town, forming the Lodi Lake Wilderness Area — a network of channels and ponds that attract millions of migratory birds each year.
KAYAKING ON LODI LAKE AND MOKELUMNE RIVER
There’s something special about getting a sense of a place from the water, where you can embrace the tranquil moments and look back on the land.
From its boathouse on Lodi Lake, Headwaters Kayak offers rentals, tours and lessons. Snag a kayak or standup paddleboard (SUP) rental to explore the lake and the tame, twisty stretch of the Lower Mokelumne River.
“The river’s best quality is its accessibility so close to town,” said Headwaters coowner Abigail Christensen. “You can disappear into nature to witness the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, as well as wildlife like deer, fox, coyote, beavers, otters and great blue herons.”
Join one of the 1.5 to 2hour guided trips on the Mokelumne — from sunset and moonlight paddles to an earlymorning sunrise tour — all at the quieter bookends of the day. While you’ll get a quick tutorial with your rental craft, classes are also offered for those who want to dive in to the kayak and SUP life. BIKING THROUGH LODI
With miles of flat backroads that wind between vineyards, orchards and the Mokelumne River, Lodi is ideal for cyclists. Take a slow roll to absorb the sights and sounds of wine country, or plan a longer training ride with the reward of a tasting room visit at the very end.
Lodi’s bike shop, Lodi Cyclery, can help you if you need a tune up or perhaps forgot some gear before you hit the road. With a staff that’s passionate about cycling, the shop serves all types of twowheeled fans — from new to veteran riders and road bikers to mountain trail aficionados.
Every Saturday, the shop hosts a group ride (linked on its Strava page) alternating between Lodi and locations a daytrip away. Every fourth Sunday is a women’sonly group ride.
“Lodi is an excellent base for cyclists,” owner Brian Shirk said. “It’s geographically perfect for a 10 to 50mile ride from anywhere in town. Within 30 minutes, you can be in the wine country foothills.”
Local nonprofit, Bike Lodi, has worked to support bicycle infrastructure and projects that serve everyone in the region. The organization’s list of more than 20 bike routes is varied, including an easy 5mile family fun ride on the short side to a
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“Lodi is a bikefriendly city — with flat, forgiving roads, cyclists can focus less on the difficulty of the route and more on enjoying the experience.” Kathryn Siddle, chair of Bike Lodi
36mile ride among vineyards and olive orchards to the serene Cosumnes River Preserve.
Ride through the valley’s agricultural landscape on country roads and drop in at wineries, restaurants and cultural attractions along the way. Find your favorite route at www. visitlodi.com/thingstodo/ bikeroutes and print it out, download it into your Garmin or access it through the RideWithGPS app on your phone. You can also pick up a Bike Lodi
Route Guide at the downtown Visitor Center at 25 North School St.
“Just 3 miles from the center of town, you can find yourself surrounded by vineyards,” said Kathryn Siddle, chair of Bike Lodi. “Lodi is a bikefriendly city — with flat, forgiving roads, cyclists can focus less on the difficulty of the route and more on enjoying the experience.”
On Oct. 23, Bike Lodi will host its annual Sandhill Crane Ride, a 16mile bike ride to see
sandhill cranes during sunset at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve.
WATCHING THE SANDHILL CRANES
Lodi figures prominently in the flight plans of sandhill cranes. One of only two crane species found in North America, these birds may not look prehistoric, but fossil records date them as far back as 2 million years.
Every year, they travel to the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve from late September to midMarch. Their trilled cries as they descend into a sunsetlit field in the Central Valley is a lifetime memory for many.
It takes patience and a good eye to tell the difference between greater and lesser sandhill cranes, because they have a similar body shape, color, and plumage. Lesser sandhill cranes stand 4 feet tall, with a 4inch, daggerlike bill. The greater sandhill crane is 5 feet tall with a 5inch bill.
Visit the reserve on your own for a selfguided tour, or come for the annual Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival. Scheduled for Nov. 57 this year, the popular festival includes nature tours, workshops, presentations, music, live animal shows, an art show, an opening night dinner and children’s activities.