Weberstown/Kentfield - Stockton, CA

When gold was discovered in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the area now known as Stockton quickly transformed from a small community of settlers to a major center of commerce for prospectors stopping to stock up on supplies before heading to the mountains. This was thanks in no small part to founder Captain Charles Weber — for whom Weberstown gets its name. The area also enjoyed a period as a major shipbuilding hub until a later shift to the agriculture-based economy it still enjoys today.

Stockton boasts a rather lively arts scene with galleries, public installations and museums. The Haggin Museum in Victory Park features an impressive collection of American and European art works. The Stockton Symphony ranks as one of the oldest in the state.

You can find quite an array of dining options throughout Lakeview and elsewhere around Stockton. One of the area’s little secrets, some excellent — and affordable — restaurants that serve up fare every bit as good as what you'll find in San Francisco and other foodie havens make their homes here. Wine lovers relish in the fact that several picturesque vineyards and notable wineries operate in north Stockton.

Another shining example of this area’s great collection of affordable international restaurants, Mama’s Pho and Sandwiches serves up incredible Vietnamese food, including, of course, stellar pho and authentic bahn sandwiches. Other Mama’s specialties worth trying include the bubble tea and creamy fruit smoothies.

Everybody loves Tandoori Nites, the amazing Indian restaurant hidden away inside an unremarkable strip mall. As soon as you walk in, the smells of curry and garlic slowly simmering make the perfect introduction to the Tandoori Nites experience. The casual atmosphere and friendly staff enhance your dining experience even further. Order some tikka masala with garlic naan. If you want to try a little bit of everything, go for the buffet.

The Miracle Mile Improvement District on Pacific Avenue features a large concentration of great places to shop, dine and enjoy some nightlife. For good food and drinks in a fun and friendly atmosphere, look no further than The Abbey Trappist Pub located right on The Mile. As a proper pub, it offers lots of beers to choose from and burgers worth writing home about. On Oyster Tuesday, oysters cost only a dollar. For an appetizer or savory snack, try the meat and cheese platter with artisan deli fare and unbelievably tasty dipping sauces — you get to choose yours from among flavors like chimichurri and curry mustard.

For the most part, people use their cars to get around Stockton’s neighborhoods. However, you can easily walk to some destinations directly within the Kentfield and Weberstown area. City buses serve the region, and stops within walking distance of most anywhere make it simple to hop a bus throughout Stockton. You can also snag a local driver using the Uber app on your phone. Biking within the neighborhoods is safe, but you should use other means of transportation if heading in to urban Stockton. Parking in Weberstown and Kentfield generally won’t cost much. Residents can typically find a good space when going out to shop or eat.

Easy access to I-5, Highway 99 and other major roadways make traveling in and out of Stockton in any direction highly convenient.

Stockton’s neighborhoods have plenty of parks where residents love to gather for ball games, barbecues and other events. Swenson Park offers nine acres of space to play with picnic areas, play equipment — plus tennis, racquetball and handball courts. Sandman Park is even bigger, with 16 acres for recreation. Sandman features play equipment, ball fields and places to grill your steaks. All Stockton neighborhood and community parks have free admission and welcome on-leash dogs.

Prices in suburban Kentfield and Weberstown tend to be pretty much the same as prices in central Stockton. This means that while residents enjoy a much lower cost of living than elsewhere in California, prices still sit slightly higher than the national average. For instance, gas hovers around 6 percent higher than the U.S. average. Bus fare costs about $1.50, and you can pick up a day pass for around $4.50 if you plan to do a lot of traveling.

Low-cost housing makes for one of the reasons some residents choose to make the commute into bigger cities, like San Francisco, but remain living in Stockton. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages less than $650 a month.

Weberstown and Kentfield have no shortage of opportunities for shopping. Several malls, shopping centers and department stores all sit within a relatively small area. Many of them can be found along Pacific Avenue. Weberstown Mall on Pacific makes a good place to shop, dine and catch a new movie. Get a photo shoot-worthy makeover at Sephora, then stop by any number of fashion stores for some new gear. Don’t forget to hit Bath & Body works for some goodies to freshen up your home, car or office. Weberstown Mall also hosts a weekly farmers market from May through October, featuring locally grown produce and other regionally produced wares. If you don’t find what you need, Sherwood Mall sits just down the road.

If you've been on the hunt for truly functional and therapeutic-level athletic equipment, hit Fleet Feet Sports. If you need running or training shoes, let the highly trained staff fit you for a pair of shoes that will give you the orthopedic support and long-lasting comfort you need for serious activity. Using factors like gait analysis, skeletal structure and other personalized information allows them to determine the optimal shoe to help prevent injury and maximize your workouts.

When it comes to grocery shopping, options abound. Costco, Target, Safeway and Trader Joe’s make up just a few of the many familiar chain stores that populate Stockton’s neighborhoods. International markets provide flavorful food and exotic ingredients not always found in run-of-the-mill grocery stores.