To get a more detailed view of the history and development of downtown Stockton, make plans to take the popular Downtown Stockton Self Guided Walking Tour. This free tour includes the stories behind downtown's historical architecture, public art that has accentuated various areas as well as various points of interest along the way. Downtown Stockton Alliance also offers free guided tours of historic Downtown Stockton throughout the year. To book a guided tour, let us know at least 2 weeks in advance. Tours are guided by the Downtown Resident Historian and Certified Tourism Ambassador.
To take a tour of the Historic Bob Hope Theatre is to travel back to experience one of Stockton's most iconic sites. Originally opened in 1930 as the Fox, the venue attracted quite a lot of attention (as well as patrons) for staging some of the most spectacular productions ever seen. The theater was also noted for its 2,170-seat capacity. The theater was renovated in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The three Wurlitzer pipe organs are still located in the loft, and one is used to regale audiences every second Friday of the month before a showing of a classic film. Tours of this incredible building are available by appointment.
Stockton was once home to a thriving Filipino culture. While many Filipinos still make their home here, the older generation may remember when they were all concentrated in the Little Manila section of the city. Today, only three buildings are still standing from what was once the largest thriving Filipino community in the United States. The stories, struggles, triumphs and contributions of the Filipino culture to Stockton's growth can be traced back here. Take a dramatic tour of the Iloilo Circle, the Dimasalang House and the Daguhoy Lodge, the three remaining structures that preserve the Filipino history quite fittingly.
Take a leisurely self-guided walking tour of Stockton's first historic district when you explore the Magnolia Historic District. This is not only a multidimensional history lesson of the city, but it also offers a chance to see some highly detailed and impressively constructed architecture. Some of the styles you'll see include Queen Anne, Eastlake, Bungalow, Craftsman, and Spanish Revival. These homes and buildings date back to the 1860s and the area still thrives thanks to the city's successful efforts at rehabilitation, restoration and adaptive reuse. The area is bounded by Harding Way, California Street, Park Street and El Dorado Street.