The Present

Stockton's location at the head of a navigable channel, approximately 90 miles inland from San Francisco Bay, allows the city to continue to serve as a major shipping point for many of the agricultural and manufactured products of Northern California.

Rich peat soil and a temperate climate have combined to make the area around Stockton one of the richest agricultural and dairy regions in California. Throughout the 150 years of Stockton's history, almost every major fruit, nut and field crop has been grown, some with greater success than others. Current major crops include asparagus, cherries, tomatoes, walnuts and almonds, plus many other smaller-production orchard, row and feed crops. Grapes amount to 40 percent of the fruit and nut harvest and contribute 18 percent to the county's agricultural dollar. Prize-winning wines are produced from vineyards north of Stockton, contributing to the international reputation of fine quality California wines.