Brannan Island: Escape to Scenic California River Delta

Brannan Island State Recreation Area is in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, offering a unique blend of water-oriented recreation and natural beauty. Situated in Sacramento County, just a few miles south of Rio Vista along Highway 160, it’s about an hour’s drive from Sacramento and roughly 55 miles northeast of San Francisco Bay. The park spans 329 acres on the lower peninsular extension of Brannan Island, surrounded by the Sacramento River to the west. This maze of waterways and countless islands makes it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Brannan Island State Recreation Activities

Boating: The park features a ten-lane boat launch ramp, making it a boating, windsurfing, and jet-skiing destination. There’s also a marina with boat slip rentals for those who want to stay on the water overnight. If you bring a boat, you can access hundreds of miles of rivers, sloughs, levees, old river channels, and marshes.

Swimming: Cool off in the water at designated beaches at Seven Mile Slough and the day-use area. Though there are no lifeguards, caution is advised.

Day Use Area: The park’s day-use areas, like the Ramadas group picnic spot and the Seven Mile Slough picnic area, provide shaded spots with barbecues and easy water access.

Biking: For those who prefer dry land, the California Aqueduct Bikeway offers a scenic route for cycling, with views of the Delta’s landscapes and windmills.

Visitor Center: The visitor center, open on weekends or by arrangement, features displays on the Delta’s cultural and natural history, including an interactive region map.

Fishing: Anglers catch striped bass, sturgeon, catfish, black bass, bluegill, crappie, perch, bulkhead, and an occasional salmon or steelhead trout in the river and slough around the park.

Camping at Brannan Island State Recreation

Camping is a big part of the experience here, with over 140 campsites spread across areas like Willow, Cottonwood, Olympic loops, walk-in tent sites, and the Sacramento Group area group sites. Most sites accommodate RVs up to 36 feet, and amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water, flush toilets, showers, and an RV dump station. During the summer, weekends are usually booked, but you can still make a reservation during the week without too much trouble.

Explore Nature at Brannan Island

Nature lovers will appreciate the park’s biodiversity. The surrounding marshes and islands, including the protected Frank’s Tract wetland (accessible only by boat), are home to beaver, muskrat, river otter, mink, and over 76 bird species, such as herons, hawks, and sandhill cranes. You might even spot jackrabbits, river otters, or the occasional sea lion exploring from the bay.

Sacramento Delta Climate – When to Visit

The climate is mild, with summer highs between 75°F and 95°F—sometimes spiking to 100°F or more, tempered by the Delta breeze—and winter temperatures ranging from 45°F to 55°F. Peak season runs from May to October when the park sees heavy use. Late fall through early spring offers some of the best fishing at Brannan Island.

Getting to Brannan Island State Recreation

Brannan Island State Recreation Area is halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento, along the east bank of the Sacramento River. Brannan is not entirely an island but is surrounded by water on three sides. Directions to Brannan Island: SRA 17645 State Hwy. 160 Rio Vista CA 94571 The park is on Highway 160, three miles south of Rio Vista. The surrounding area is mostly farmland, with the nearest town being Rio Vista. For more information, visit the Park’s Website.

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Sacramento River Delta Loop Tour

If you’re interested in a driving tour of the significant historical areas in the Delta, this route is a great choice for seeing all the key sites. The journey begins in Rio Vista, where you’ll head north and follow a 40-mile clockwise loop. You can spend an entire day exploring the historic river towns, with a stop for lunch along the route around the Sacramento River Delta.

Locke California Historic District

Locke Historic District, formerly known as Lockeport, is a small town located along the levee on Highway 160, just half a mile from Walnut Grove, California. How small is it? The population is around 75 people. While you might wonder what could be worth visiting in such a tiny town, it’s important to note that Locke is rich in history and is worth a look while visiting the Sacramento River Delta.