Sacramento River Delta Day Trip: 40-mile Driving Loop Tour

The Sacramento River Delta, also known as the California Delta, offers a vast network of waterways that span hundreds of miles, providing ample opportunities for outdoor exploration such as boating, bird-watching, camping, and more. Whether living in the Sacramento or San Francisco Bay Area, the Sacramento Delta offers an excellent day trip or a fun weekend adventure. With countless activities available, this article will provide an overview of some of the most popular attractions in the area.

Sacramento Delta Driving Loop

If you want to take a driving tour of the significant historical areas in the Delta, this route is an excellent option to see all the sites. The journey starts from Rio Vista. You head north and follow a 40-mile clockwise loop from there. You can spend an entire day exploring the historic river towns with a stop for lunch along the driving route around the Sacramento River Delta.

Rio Vista California

Rio Vista was founded in 1858 and was a popular stopover point for mariners and miners traveling between San Francisco and Sacramento. To learn more about the town’s history, visit the Rio Vista Museum. It is only open on weekends. Rio Vista has two popular spots for dining: Foster’s Bighorn and The Point Restaurant. Foster’s Bighorn might only suit some. Fosters is a unique establishment that combines a local bar’s ambiance with a tourist attraction’s appeal. The walls are covered with a vast taxidermy collection.

The Point Restaurant is located at the Delta Marina and offers a breathtaking view of the Sacramento River, where guests can witness enormous ships passing by. After stopping at Rio Vista, head towards the Rio Vista Ferry for a quick trip to Ryer Island. Then, board the J-Mac Ferry, which will take you across Steamboat Slough. Both ferries, the Real McCoy II and the J-Mack operate 24/7 and are free of charge. From there, head north along Highway 84 and take in the views of the Sacramento River Deep Water Channel on your left and farmland on your right. Next up is the small town of Courtland.

Courtland California Historic Delta Town

Take Courtland Road at mile 15, turn right onto River Road, cross Sutter Slough Bridge and Paintersville Bridge, then turn left to Courtland. Courtland is a small town with a grand courthouse building constructed in 1915. The building is not used as a court and is private property. Courtland was named after Courtland Sims, a landowner, not for the courthouse building. Like other Delta towns, Courtland was once home to Chinese Americans who farmed and built the levees that protected the area from flooding. Courtland also holds an annual Pear Fair, which draws visitors from around the region. The rest of the Delta Loop route will follow Highway 160 unless you choose to detour to Grand Island Mansion for Sunday Brunch.

Grand Island Mansion 1920s Estate

Grand Island Mansion is a beautiful spot for lunch on the Sacramento River Delta, once the largest private home in the area. The Mansion’s construction was completed in 1920, and it remained a family home until the Great Depression when most of the land was sold. Since 1978, the Mansion has operated as a dining, wedding, and event venue. The Mansion has been refurbished to ensure that this classic landmark will always embody the opulent style of a bygone era. The Mansion is four stories tall and has over 50 rooms. The Mansion is open for Brunch on selected Sundays. If you wish to make reservations, kindly visit the Mansions website.

Locke California Historic District

Locke came to be in 1915. It is a town that the Chinese built for the Chinese population of workers after many were displaced due to a fire in nearby Walnut Grove. In August of 1970, Locke was added to the National Registry of Historic Places due to its unique status as the only town in the United States that the Chinese built for the Chinese—one of the places you can visit while in Locke is the Chinese School. It was established in 1926 and continued until 1940, when it was closed. Today, the Chinese School is a museum. Unfortunately, the Locke Garden Restaurant has permanently closed its doors. If you’re looking for a place to eat, you must head to nearby Walnut Creek.

Ryde, California Prohibition Era Grand Hotel

The farming community of Ryde was established in 1893 when a post office was built along with a general store and saloon. The current Ryde Hotel was built in 1927 and included a barber shop, beauty salon, and riverboat dock. The hotel had a secret tunnel to the River, used for smuggling liquor into a basement speakeasy. Today, the refurbished hotel serves as a wedding venue and hosts Sunday brunch twice a month. Visit the hotel website for more information.

Isleton California

Isleton is a beautiful place to take a break and have lunch during your road trip. Walking down Main Street in Isleton gives you the feeling of returning to the 1950s. Although some stores may be closed, it’s still a great place to visit. Peter’s Steak House is a well-known place to dine in town and caters to locals, travelers, and friendly biker groups out for a ride. Peter, the former cook at the now-closed Del Rio Hotel, runs the restaurant. The menu offers a variety of dishes, including prime rib, steaks, seafood, Baby Back Pork Ribs, and more. The address is 203 Second Street, Isleton, California.

Fishing in the Sacramento Delta

Fishing attracts a large number of anglers to the delta region. Species in the Delta area include bluegill, several types of bass and catfish, and shad. Salmon and sturgeon Steelhead have a run through the Delta, and tasty crawdads are also a favorite.

Camping in the Delta

More than 50 campgrounds and RV parks are in the Sacramento River Delta area, making planning a nature-based weekend at the Delta easy. The camping options include public and private areas, with most sites along the waterway. Private resorts offer boat launching facilities; some places even offer boat-in camping for a more secluded experience.

Brannan Island State Recreation Area

Brannan Island is an excellent choice if you’re looking for day-use options. The park has windsurfing, picnicking areas, shade structures, and restrooms. If you’re an angler or waterfowl hunter, check out Franks Tract State Recreation Area, located southeast of Brannan Island.

Bird Watching California Delta

The Sacramento River Delta is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with numerous waterways and diverse habitats. As part of the Great Pacific Flyway, birds migrating from Alaska to Mexico stop here, providing a great chance to observe both resident and visiting species.

Wine Tasting California Delta

Although the Delta region may not be known for its wine scene, a few tasting rooms in the small town of Clarksburg are worth visiting during your Delta trip. Located approximately 15 miles south of Sacramento, Clarksburg is home to Galeria do Vinho, Scribner Bend Vineyards, and Bogle Vineyards, all offering a fun wine-tasting experience.

Sacramento River Cruise

Several operators offer cruises on the Sacramento River. This can be a great way to see the River if you want to get out on the water with a guide and a fun atmosphere. Most cruises have a naturalist or guide who will highlight the sites, wildlife, and historical importance of things you pass.  For a unique experience aboard an old paddlewheel boat, you should head to Pld Town Sacramento and visit the Delta King. Constructed in Scotland in 1920, the Delta King used to carry passengers from San Francisco into the Delta.

Getting to the Sacramento River Delta

The Sacramento River Delta is in Northern California and is named after its triangular shape, with Sacramento, Stockton, and Pittsburgh at each corner. There are many things to see and do in the Delta, so we suggest a day trip to explore. You might enjoy it so much that you return for a weekend getaway.

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