Lodi is no longer just one of California’s wine towns. It is now America’s favorite small town, according to a national tourism competition.

Parade and Steller named Lodi the national winner of the “America’s Favorite Small Towns 2026” competition Monday after a nationwide search that drew hundreds of communities and hundreds of thousands of votes.

The competition, launched to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Parade’s 85th anniversary, invited tourism boards, municipalities and residents to nominate towns across the country. Voting narrowed the field to 40 finalists before Parade editors selected 10 regional winners eligible for the national prize. Lodi and Bend, Oregon, represented the West.

As the winner, Lodi will receive editorial coverage across Parade and Steller platforms, use of the official “America’s Favorite Small Town 2026” badge and a Parade and Steller event celebration at Lodi Lake on July 4.

“Lodi stood out not only for its world-class Zinfandel and stunning scenery but for the palpable passion of its residents,” Lisa Delaney, general manager and chief content officer of Parade, said in a statement. “Throughout the competition, the people of Lodi mobilized with incredible energy, showcasing why their home is a ‘hidden gem’ that travelers need to experience.”

Parade pointed to many of Lodi’s familiar calling cards: its wine industry, agricultural roots, historic downtown, Lodi Lake and the Mokelumne River. The city is known as the “Zinfandel Capital of the World,” has a downtown anchored by its Mission Arch and is home to the Lodi Grape Festival, which dates back to 1934.

The publication also nodded to Creedence Clearwater Revival’s 1969 song “Lodi,” best known for the refrain “Oh Lord, stuck in Lodi again.”

Visit Lodi President and CEO Wes Rhea said the organization was stunned and thrilled when it learned Lodi had taken the top national prize.

“We were a little bit stunned, but also just super excited and elated that the community’s hard work and rallying the voting, and the passion that everyone had behind this effort, came to fruition,” Rhea said.

He said the award was driven by local support, with businesses, residents, hospitality partners and local media encouraging people to vote daily during the months-long competition. Visit Lodi created handouts and stickers that people could use in stores or wear as reminders to keep voting.

“This was really about getting our residents and our small businesses and our hospitality partners to spread the word and vote, vote, vote as much as they possibly could,” Rhea said.

The recognition could bring more attention to Lodi as a destination for visitors, travel writers and groups considering California, he said .

“For us, we just hope it continues to pique people’s interest,” Rhea said. “We’re hoping to see Lodi, now that we’re on the national stage for this little moment, take advantage of it and hopefully drive more awareness and foot traffic into our city.”

Mayor Ramón Yepez said the recognition reflects generations of work by residents who helped shape Lodi’s identity.

“I’m thrilled for Lodi and proud to see our community receive this recognition,” Yepez said in a statement. “Lodi’s geography, industry, culture and history have helped shape the city we know and love today.”

Yepez said the city continues to build on its reputation for quality of life, visitor experiences and “thoughtful growth.”

“I hope everyone has the opportunity to visit Lodi at least once and discover what makes our city so special,” Yepez said.

For some longtime residents, the recognition reflects both what Lodi has preserved and how much the city has changed.

Kara Gomez, 50, whose family moved from Stockton to Lodi in 1988, said the city was much smaller when she arrived, with more vineyards, fewer houses and locally owned stores where employees knew their customers.

Over the years, Gomez said, many local stores have closed, franchise businesses have moved in and housing development has expanded. But she said Lodi became home when she started raising her children there.

“I loved raising my kids here and the amount of people that I have gotten to know over the years,” Gomez said. “You can run into someone you haven’t seen and there is always a hug and a quick catch up.”

Other residents said the national title does not erase concerns about growth, affordability and limited activities for young people.

Chase Handel, 26, who has lived in Lodi his whole life, said he has watched the city change from a place people could drive across in minutes to one where traffic and development are more noticeable.

“I’ve watched Lodi go from a town you could drive from corner to corner in five minutes to now being a 15- to 20-minute drive,” Handel said.

Lodi still feels safer and calmer than many California cities he has visited for work, he said. but also pointed to the loss of the Sunset Theatre, vineyards being replaced by housing and a lack of entertainment options for younger residents.

“It’s safe, but expensive, and there are very few ‘fun’ activities to do here,” Handel said. “We are limited to about bowling and movies, otherwise you are going out of town for activities.”

The city had already announced expanded festivities for its Fourth of July at the Lake event to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. City officials said being named America’s Favorite Small Town gives Lodi another reason to celebrate.