Top Five Destinations of Stockton

In my five-second look around the internet, I determined that John Stockton and Stockton, California have virtually nothing in common except their name. For example, one was drafted sixteenth in the 1984 draft and the other wasn?t. One has passed the ball to Michael Jordan while playing in the Olympics, the other has never even qualified for the Olympics. One lived in the city of Spokane, Washington while in high school and college and the other is a city. However, both have spent time in California and both have never been in my kitchen, so they at least have that in common.

But, if I was to continue to point out differences, I would not like to spend five days mulling around John Stockton looking for things to do. On the other hand, with a bit more laborious research on that same internet, I was able to quickly come up with five things that would attract me to visit the city of Stockton for a number of days.

Watch the Deep Fried Asparagus Eating Contest at the Asparagus Festival

Yes, the reason I want to watch a deep fried asparagus eating contest at the Asparagus Festival April 26th through the 28th is because fifth grade me wants to laugh at all of these people who will have funny smelling pee. However, college age me wants to eat anything deep-fried and can?t wait until I find a place to sample deep-fried asparagus for myself.

Check out a movie at the Bob Hope Theater

I love old theaters and I also have a fondness for a lot of older movies. The Bob Hope Theater combines both with a beautifully restored theater and showings of Mel Brooks?s 1968 version of ?The Producers? for only $8 a ticket. There?s also Alfred Hitchcock?s ?Foreign Correspondent? in June.

Tour the Haggin Museum

I like the idea of combining art and history in one place and The Haggin Museum does that. I think I want to see the Yosemite Valley paintings by Albert Bierstadt and the exhibit on the ?Tomato Queen? most of all.

Listen to tributes to Dave Brubeck at the Brubeck Festival

Dave Brubeck of the Dave Brubeck Quartet fame passed away this past December at the age of 91. Every March, the city of Stockton and the University of the Pacific hosts the Brubeck Festival and this year, just after his passing, I would expect the tributes and performances to be especially heartfelt. Wynton Marsalis is one of the headliners for this year.

Eat several sandwiches at Waterloo or Big Fellows Sandwich Parlor

Mmmm, sandwiches. I can?t choose between The Waterloo and Big Fellows Sandwich Parlor. I guess it will have to totally depend if I?m in the mood for a Big Fellow cheeseburger or a Waterloo BBQ Pork Sandwich, both of which sound delightful right now.

Any suggestions for things that I missed? Any additional recommendations for the area? Just let me know in the comments.