Where is Lathrop, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is Lathrop, California Located in the United States? - Lathrop is a city located in the San Joaquin County in California, United States. Lathrop lies between 37.8227 Degrees North latitudes and -121.2766 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Lathrop, San Joaquin, California

Where is Lathrop Located in San Joaquin, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Lathrop in San Joaquin County, in the U.S. state of California.

Lathrop Map, California, USA

About Lathrop Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.

About Lathrop, San Joaquin County, California

Lathrop is located in San Joaquin County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the central part of the state in the state of the United States within the northern San Joaquin Valley region. The city was incorporated in 1989 and was named after Leland Stanford’s railroad associate, Joseph Lathrop, reflecting the city’s historical connection to the railroad industry, and it developed from a small rail town into a growing residential and logistics community.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Lathrop is 28,701 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 1,500 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Lathrop covers a total area of approximately 23.0 square miles (about 59.6 square kilometers), including about 22.5 square miles (58.3 square kilometers) of land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Lathrop is situated west of Manteca and south of Stockton, positioned near the confluence of the San Joaquin and Old River waterways in the northern San Joaquin Valley. The city features residential neighborhoods, industrial areas, and nearby agricultural lands that define the region’s landscape. Interstate 5 and State Route 120 provide major transportation routes connecting Lathrop to surrounding communities across California’s Central Valley.

Top Attractions

Lathrop offers parks, waterfront areas, and recreational facilities that support local tourism and community activities. Popular destinations include Mossdale Crossing Regional Park, the San Joaquin River access areas, and community parks throughout the city. The city hosts local festivals, youth sports events, and seasonal celebrations.

Transportation

Lathrop is served by Interstate 5 and State Route 120, offering convenient highway access throughout San Joaquin County and California’s Central Valley region. Public transportation includes regional bus services connecting the city to surrounding communities and nearby rail stations. The nearest major airport is Stockton Metropolitan Airport, located approximately 12 miles to the north.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Lathrop City Website.

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Lathrop City Facts

CityLathrop
StateCalifornia
CountySan Joaquin County
CountryUnited States
RegionSan Joaquin Valley
IncorporatedJuly 1, 1989
Founded1868
Total AreaApproximately 23.0 sq mi (59.6 km2)
Land AreaApproximately 22.4 sq mi (58.0 km2)
ElevationApproximately 20 ft (6 m)
Population (2023 estimate)Approximately 31,000+
Population (2020 Census)30,841
Population DensityApproximately 1,400 people per sq mi
Time ZonePacific Time (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST)
ZIP Codes95330
Area Code209
Major HighwaysInterstate 5, State Route 120
Public TransitSan Joaquin RTD Bus
Major AttractionsMossdale Crossing Regional Park, Lathrop Generations Center, San Joaquin River
Official Websitehttps://www.ci.lathrop.ca.us/

Transportation and Connectivity in Lathrop

CategoryDetails
Nearest AirportStockton Metropolitan Airport
IATA CodeSCK
Major HighwaysInterstate 5, Interstate 205, State Route 120, State Route 99 (nearby)
Public TransitSan Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD)
Nearest Rail ServiceAltamont Corridor Express (ACE) service available in nearby Manteca/Tracy areas
Regional AccessConnected to Stockton, Manteca, Tracy, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area
  • Interstate 5: Provides major north-south access through California's Central Valley.
  • Interstate 205: Connects Lathrop with Tracy and the Bay Area transportation corridor.
  • State Route 120: Provides access toward Manteca, Yosemite region routes, and regional destinations.
  • Regional Location: Lathrop is located at the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley near the San Joaquin River and serves as a major transportation and logistics hub. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Top Places to Visit in Lathrop, California

Landmark NameType
Mossdale Crossing Regional ParkRiverfront Recreation Area
River Islands at LathropMaster-Planned Community
Lathrop Community ParkCommunity Park
Mossdale ParkNeighborhood Park
San Joaquin RiverRiver Recreation Area
Dell'Osso Family FarmsFarm Attraction
Lathrop Historical Society AreasHistorical Attraction
Great Wolf Lodge Northern California (nearby)Family Resort
Caswell Memorial State Park (nearby)State Park
Oak Grove Regional Park (nearby)Regional Park

Driving Distances from Lathrop, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
MantecaCalifornia510 minutes
StocktonCalifornia1520 minutes
TracyCalifornia2025 minutes
ModestoCalifornia3540 minutes
LivermoreCalifornia4555 minutes
San JoseCalifornia751 hour 20 minutes
SacramentoCalifornia601 hour
OaklandCalifornia751 hour 20 minutes
San FranciscoCalifornia851 hour 40 minutes
FresnoCalifornia1202 hours

Colleges and Universities in and near Lathrop, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
San Joaquin Delta CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTransfer education, agriculture, healthcare, technology, and workforce programs
University of the PacificPrivateUniversityBusiness, engineering, health sciences, law, and liberal arts programs
California State University, StanislausPublicUniversityBusiness, education, nursing, sciences, and professional programs
California State University, SacramentoPublicUniversityGovernment, business, engineering, education, and research programs
San Joaquin County Office of Education Regional Training FacilitiesEducation CenterProfessional TrainingTeacher training, workforce development, and educational services

Waterbodies in Lathrop, California

San Joaquin River, French Camp Slough, Mossdale Lake, Old River, Paradise Cut, Delta waterways, South Delta channels

Stadiums in Lathrop

Lathrop High School Stadium, River Islands Sports Complex, Lathrop Generations Center Sports Facilities, Banner Island Ballpark (nearby Stockton), University of the Pacific Athletic Facilities (nearby)

Lathrop, California — Key Historical Facts

  • Lathrop was established in the nineteenth century as a railroad community along the Southern Pacific Railroad route.
  • The city was named after Jane Stanford, whose maiden name was Lathrop and who was the wife of railroad pioneer Leland Stanford.
  • The community developed around agriculture, transportation, and access to the fertile lands of the San Joaquin Valley.
  • Lathrop was incorporated as a city in 1989 and experienced rapid population growth in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
  • The city's location near Interstate 5, Interstate 205, and major rail corridors helped it become an important logistics and distribution center.
  • Today, Lathrop is known for residential growth, riverfront developments, industrial facilities, and its strategic location between the Bay Area and Central Valley.

References

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