MANTECA – What's in a name? When you first hear the name Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World, you might assume it's just another fishing tackle shop – and one that caters only to the bass angler.

You would be wrong.

Sure, the new Bass Pro Shop recently opened here does offer just about anything a bass angler could want in order to catch the most wary of fish. But this place covers every other kind of fish that swims in California's lakes, streams and off its coast.

And the Outdoor World part of the name is not neglected, either. All the needs of the avid hunter and camper are covered. All the top name brands in outdoor clothing are represented, such as The North Face and Columbia, in styles for men and women. There's even a department for the NASCAR fan.

On the same order of Cabela's near Reno, this is more than a store, it's a destination – and just an hour south of Sacramento.

The Springfield, Mo.-based franchise has not done a cookie-cutter store, by any means. Everywhere you look there are nods to its location in the Golden State, and especially the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite.

Much of the 120,000 square feet (the Reno Cabela's is 125,000) pays homage to the grandeur of California's great outdoors: a soaring, wood-beam supported ceiling, and a reproduction of the famed Wawona sequoia, standing 65 feet high, through which visitors walk as they enter. California's diverse fish and wildlife, natural wonders and pioneering history are represented with a giant aquarium, trout pond, murals, artifacts and wildlife dioramas of big game animals such as deer, elk and bighorn sheep in their natural settings.

Warm up in front of the massive double-sided rock fireplace. Check out the displays depicting California's gold mining and railroad history. Walk under a waterfall tumbling out of a rocky cliff into the giant aquarium stocked with striped bass, sturgeon, largemouth bass and other native species.

And, of course, shop.

"This is the ultimate male adult toy store!" said Noel Crag, who had driven 40 miles over from Justine to shop and, well, learn.

How-to seminars on just about every outdoor activity take place throughout the year. Learn how to tie flies, try out that new bow in the indoor archery range, call ducks or take a hunter-safety class.

On Thanksgiving night the Bass Pro Shop will hold a "Thanksgiving Campout" in which folks are invited to bring tents and sleeping bags and camp out in anticipation of the following morning's Black Friday sale.

During that outing you can learn how to cook with a Dutch oven. Chef David Herzog will put the Dutch oven through its paces by making apple cobbler, pumpkin meatloaf and camp chili from 8 to 11 p.m. The morning of Black Friday, the Bass Pro Shop will have its first Pancake Breakfast.

Need a place to hold meetings or seminars for your conservation or civic group? The Manteca Bass Pro Shop has that covered, too, with its Conservation Room, which accommodates up to 120 people. To book it, call Larry Leidelmeyer three weeks in advance at (209) 825-8417 or e-mail him at leleidelmeyer@basspro.com.

The Manteca Bass Pro Shop is getting into the holiday spirit by sponsoring charity events such as a holiday food drive, Coats For Kids and donations for troops overseas. It also is holding a Santa Wonderland where kids not only can tell their Christmas wishes to Santa but can make various craft projects such as reindeer hats and Christmas tree ornaments out of bobbers and pine cones.