Lincoln Village West - Stockton, CA

The waterways around modern day Stockton have been used for centuries to sustain life, first by the Miwok Native Americas who used to fish and navigate the waters regularly. The San Joaquin River provided them a way to get close to 100 miles inland much quicker than walking. The same was true hundreds of years later during the California Gold Rush, when miners relied heavily on the waterways to get diggers in and out of the area. Fast forward another century, and the U.S. Government had set up naval communication bases that were of great use during World War II and the Cold War.

The Navel bases have long been decommissioned, and the rivers are now used for recreation by the Village West Yacht Club, which hosts a number of events throughout the year, including many regattas, the annual Crab Feed Fundraiser, raves and a Valentine's Day party.

Two marina restaurants set the bar high in this neighborhood: Bob's at the Marina and Garlic Brothers Restaurant & Bar. The atmosphere alone makes Bob's a favorite among locals, and that doesn't even take the food into consideration. Enjoy great waterfront views sitting outside, or get toasty by the fire inside; you can't go wrong with either one. Sitting by the fire with a warm cup of coffee, which the locals rave about, on a cold winter day at Bob's won't be forgotten. When Stockton residents get hungry for a burger, they know Bob's is the place to go for that as well, with the bacon cheeseburger standing out in particular.

Equally as attractive location-wise, Garlic Brothers Restaurant & Bar sits right next door to Bob's. Head here for dinner, and watch the sunset while filling up on the many pasta and seafood dishes. The fried ravioli and beer battered prawns remain fan favorites. Regulars also enjoy a wide selection of beer and mixed drinks. Stop by for a house original "Large Marge" or mai tai.

In addition to Garlic Brothers, locals often head into the neighborhood Lincoln Village neighborhood to Finnegan's Pub and Grill for a fun night out. Finns, as the locals call it, creates a great atmosphere between the karaoke nights, infamous photo booth and ShamRocking Thursday nights, which feature live music, dancing, pool and beer pong. The bar remains well-stocked with tons of beers on draft, including a number of IPAs and a good selection of bourbon and whiskey. All the bartenders make everyone feel welcome and keep the good times rolling.

The Village West Marina and Yacht Club also provide transportation solutions. The modern docks at the marina come well-stocked with everything seafarers need. Visitors can find a price breakdown of monthly rates for boats of varying sizes to dock at the marina.

Land travelers have a mix of public transportation, taxi and driving options available to them. With I-5 serving at the eastern boundary of the neighborhood, access could not be easier. Residents access the interstate from Benjamin Holt Drive, right in the middle of the neighborhood. Parking within the neighborhood isn't an issue either; since everyone has driveways or car ports, street parking remains open whenever necessary.

San Joaquin County RTD buses also run throughout the neighborhood. For longer regional transportation, Amtrak services the train station in downtown Stockton. Locals can also rely on Uber to schedule a ride, or choose from a variety of traditional taxi services.

A few neighborhood streets have bike lanes that provide safe passage for cyclists, but even without them, streets in the neighborhood feel safe. The same can be said for walking through the neighborhood, and considering the many scenic water views, walking and biking prove especially enjoyable walks to get around the area.

Fritz Grupe Park serves as the neighborhood's lone park. With shady, tree-covered grass and water views, this is a popular place for picnics, whether for a family or for a couple on a romantic outing. This safe, quiet park also has a great playground and a wide variety of monkey bars and swings to keep the kids entertained. Fitness-minded adults enjoy the exercise area and adjacent basketball courts. While the park doesn't host any events, it remains a free year-round option for outdoor entertainment and welcomes the entire family, dogs included.

In spite of all the amenities, the cost of living in Lincoln Village West runs lower than most Stockton neighborhoods. A typical one-bedroom apartment goes for $730 per month, about 23 percent less than the Stockton average of $946 a month.

With respect to transportation costs, locals pay about 16 percent more at the pump compared to national averages. Public transportation riders pay $1.50 per ride on the RTD buses. Those rates can be cut down for frequent riders by purchasing a monthly pass for $65. Seniors and students ride for even less.

When heading out to local bar, expect to pay around $4 for a beer.

Marina Shopping Center, right at the corner of Benjamin Holt Drive and I-5, has a few stores for basic needs. Locals shop for groceries at Marina Marketplace, work out at the 24 Hour Fitness and get their morning coffee to-go from the Starbucks.

Next to the marina, Fantasea Boats Sales & Services is a local small business that serves the neighborhood's hobbies. Locals know they can trust the staff here for their boating needs. Just outside the neighborhood on Hammer Lane, Friends of the Stockton Public Library sells an impressive variety of used books, many for less than a buck.

For larger commercial shopping, locals head to Sherwood Mall Shopping Center and the adjacently located Stone Creek Village in the neighboring Lincoln Village. Retailers like Best Buy, Express, Loft, Office Depot, Old Navy, Pac Sun, Pier 1, REI, Ross, Target, and T.J. Maxx among others all operate a store here.

In addition to Marina Marketplace, locals also get their groceries from the many local farmers' markets. San Joaquin Certified Farmers Market, Stockton Certified Farmers Market and Stonecreek Village Farmers Market all sit less than a mile to the east of I-5. San Joaquin draws the most crowds, but any one of them will do just fine for healthy farm fresh produce.