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A SIGHT
TO SEE
Sites with natural beauty, art, culture and
diversity are all in Stockton
by Jessica Laskey
S
tockton is a city of many facets. With a rich history that
dates back to the Yatchicumne, a group of Yokuts people,
the area has been a bustling commercial hub for centuries,
thanks to its involvement in the gold rush and its prime location
on a navigable channel that feeds into the Pacific Ocean. The
waterfront has played a huge role in Stockton’s development, as
has its diverse population. Early settlers came from just about
every continent, making this Central Valley city an international
melting pot, which continues to be to this day — Stockton was
named America’s most diverse city this year by U.S. News &
World Report. Here are four local don’t-miss spots to visit, for
residents and out-of-towners alike, that offer international flair,
natural beauty, art and culture.
Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple
Easily one of the most stunning places in Stockton’s diverse urban
landscape is the Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple. Estab-
lished in the early 1980s to serve Stockton’s Cambodian refugee
population, the temple and its grounds boast more than 90 vividly
painted statues that celebrate the life of the Buddha, including a
50-foot recumbent Buddha that took more than a year to build
and now attracts tourists from around the world. The temple, on
Carpenter Road, welcomes visitors daily during daylight hours and
hosts the annual Cambodian New Year Celebration every April (it
was canceled this year due to the coronavirus).
PHOTO BY FRED GREAVES
May 2020 | comstocksmag.com
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