Stockton to Denair train

Stockton, California, is a diverse, creative, and culturally rich city. It's also in the perfect place for various Cali weekend trips, with Sacramento, San Francisco, and Yosemite National Park all within reach. Stockton is an excellent place to post up while touring Northern California.

And of course, there's plenty to do in the city itself. The Bob Hope Theatre, sometimes known as "The Fox" by locals, is a popular entertainment venue and a beautifully preserved piece of Stockton's history. The recent refurbishment has produced a magnificent place for local arts productions, film, dance, comedy, and Broadway-style entertainment, as well as the newest in top-name musical entertainment.

Amtrak has multiple routes to Stockton from Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. Jefferson Lines provides the most bus service to the city, and buses go from Stockton to cities across the nation, including Phoenix, Huntington Park, and even Ontario. The city has its own airport, Stockton Airport (SCK), although some travelers also use the airport in Sacramento for more flight options.

Denair is a small town between Modesto and Merced on the Amtrak San Joaquins route. Many of the restaurants, shops, and amenities are in the neighboring town of Turlock, and you won't find chain restaurants in this quiet, friendly community. Instead, you can find local favorites like Riveras Crazy Snacks, Denair Donuts, and the El Jidalguense taco truck when hunger strikes.

Plus, since you're in the agricultural embrace of central California, there is no shortage of foodie experiences in the area around Denair and Turlock. Bring an appetite to Resendiz Family Fruit Barn, where you can sample fresh fruit, baked goods, and to-die-for smoothies. Meet the local chicks at Hen and Harvest Farm, open in Turlock on Sundays.

There is also plenty of outdoor adventure in Stanislaus County. Turlock Lake State Recreation Area is just one of central California's gorgeous spots to go boating or camping. A little further west, you'll find Don Pedro Lake in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.

Thanks to the San Joaquins trains that stop in Denair each day, it's easy to reach the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, or Bakersfield within a few hours. Plus, it's a straight shot on the train from Denair to Merced, one of the main gateways to Yosemite National Park. Although Denair does not have intercity bus service, Greyhound runs several routes to its neighbor, Turlock.