One day, one place: The Mokelumne River

Somehow “hearty breakfast” doesn’t fully capture what arrives on a plate at Avenue Grill. The omelets are half the size of a football and come with a mountain of potatoes, but the friendly crew is quick to offer a to-go box. The drive itself passes not just vineyards, but also orchards of almond, walnuts and cherries, and cuts through the smalls towns of Victor, Lockeford and Clements. The hatchery, which sits at the base of Camanche Dam, is open to the public “every day of the year,” according to the officer there, and there’s a self-guided tour with signs to explain how it all works. Park in one of the three lots and wander the paths to picnic tables and shady spots along the river. If you brought picnic supplies, hang out here for a while and enjoy sandwiches to the sound of hyperactive swallows and the lumbering shadows of turkey vultures overhead. If you didn’t prepare, head back down Highway 12 a few miles to Clements Country Market, which has a particularly well-stocked sandwich counter and a strong selection of Zinfandels. Pick up supplies and drive across Highway 12 and follow Mackville Road a mile or so to Stillman Magee Park, another quiet, green spot along the river with picnic tables and secluded shady nooks. If a paddleboard isn’t your thing, Lodi Lake Park still offers enough diversions for an afternoon, from fishing (“plenty of bass and bluegill”) to picnicking and biking. The park is next to Lodi Lake Wilderness Area; follow the well-maintained nature trail, which leads past river access spots and through heavy forest that feels completely remote from the rest of the city. Drive a few blocks over to the Woodbridge neighborhood and grab dinner at the Woodbridge Inn, a traditional steak house with a contemporary menu and feel.