Little Manila

Home to the largest concentrated population of Filipino Americans during the early 20th century, Little Manila occupies an area near downtown Stockton adjacent to Lafayette Square.

Because of racial discrimination against Filipino immigrants, including being prohibited from crossing Main Street in to the exclusively white area of Stockton, young Filipino workers established their own community to the south. Restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores were just some of the businesses that made up Little Manila. The Manongs, the most famous of which was Cesar Chavez, organized labor unions to fight unfair working conditions and push for a better life. In the mid-1900's the city of Stockton bulldozed areas of Little Manila to make way for an interstate and other establishments.

The rough geographic location of Little Manila includes the area south of the Market and Excelsior districts. After being named one of the 11 most endangered historic places in America, the city of Stockton declared an area of eight city blocks to be redeveloped. Today the Little Manila Foundation works to preserve the history and culture of this area through fundraising and education.

Little Manila is located about 65 miles east of Oakland International Airport. The nearby area also features several other tourist sites, including the Bob Hope Theatre, Stockton Thunder Hockey, Downtown Stockton Alliance, and Port of Stockton.