text: Sunset magazine named Stockton Best Tree City in the western United States in March 2002, and "Best of the West Food Fest" in March 2000. Stockton contains 49 city, state, and national historical landmarks, dating as far back as 1855.
  In February 2009, and again in February 2011, Stockton was named "America's Most Miserable City" by Forbes, reflecting the city's issues with commuting times, violent crime rates, income tax levels, and unemployment rates. Stockton had placed second in this listing in 2008.
  Notable people
  Reagan Maui'a, a former NFL fullback, is from Stockton; he originally played for Tokay High School in nearby Lodi. Jose M. Hernandez, a famous NASA astronaut and engineer, also refers to Stockton as his hometown. Chi Cheng, former bass player for the Deftones, was born and raised in Stockton. Musician Chris Isaak was born in Stockton. The indie rock band Pavement was formed in Stockton in 1989 by two local musicians, Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg, known originally only as "S.M." and "Spiral Stairs". Nick and Nate Diaz, mixed martial arts fighters, are from the Stockton area. Acclaimed American author Maxine Hong Kingston was born in Stockton in 1940, graduating from Edison High in 1958. The Maxine Hong Kingston Elementary School is named after her.
  Sister cities
  Stockton has seven sister cities: