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The Delta

Northern Delta

Joining the Sacramento River just above Old Sacramento is the American River. Together they wind through the Delta and pass lovely little river towns such as Freeport, Clarksburg, and Courtland. These burgs and their quiet streets offer leisurely strolls to visitors.

There is also historically rich Old Sacramento, where Sutter established his Embarcadero and where Pony Express riders made their last westward stop; from there, the mail went by steamer to San Francisco.

Little changed from the days of the Gold Rush, Old Sacramento offers modern delights also: several dozen fine restaurants, gift shops, apparel, and out on the wharf, a memorable marketplace that sells fresh vegetables and fruits.

Over Memorial Day Weekend Old Sac’ is alive with the Dixieland beat during the four-day Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. A historical experience itself, driving down Hwy.160, visitors can refresh themselves with views of stately old homes surrounded by grand pear-tree orchards.

Central Delta

There is a country flavor to the Sacramento River towns of Locke, Walnut Grove, Isleton, Ryde, and Rio Vista. Agriculture is important here. And in areas behind Locke and Walnut Grove, there are great anchorage and wildlife areas. Hwy. 12 goes through here and assures access to the resorts near islands such as Andrus and Brannan. On east over Little Potato Slough drawbridge at the ghost town Terminous, the highway takes visitors to the historic communities of Lodi and Woodbridge, also noted for fine wines and vineyards.

Many resorts beckon from Andrus Island’s Delta Loop, and at Terminous, Tower Park has approximately 400 RV sites and facilities. Perhaps the prettiest of the many pretty Delta towns may be Rio Vista; its backdrop is the Montezuma Hills, and nearby waters find anglers hoping for catches of striped bass.

“Crawdad Town U.S.A.” is Isleton. But it was also once called “Little Paris of the Delta.”

There is truly something for everyone - from Disappointment Slough to Georgiana Slough - in the 1,000-mile Delta.

Western Delta

Waterfront living is a way of life in the western part of the Delta - in Brentwood, Oakley, and Discovery Bay. It is an easy, cultivated pace of living.

Bethel Island, the largest, depends on tourists, boaters, RVers as its “cash crop.” Recreational facilities abound here.

Both black and striped bass are popular catches in the Western Delta, and if waterskiing is your preference over angling, some of the finest waters for the sport are here.

Gateway to the Delta is the huge Antioch Bridge. Beyond, windsurfers delight in Sherman Island waters.

The annual Seafood Festival in Pittsburg is a reminder that one it was home to commerical fishermen and canneries. The festival includes significant offshore boat races.

Orchards where visitors can pick the fruit themselves and acres of nut trees are reminders of the Western Delta heritage.

Southern Delta

Both busy and sleepy is the Southern Delta. There are large island farms, including those that produce the famous asparagus crops. And there is boating. Stockton hosts freighters from around the world and also has a myriad of marinas and resorts. Delta houseboat fleets are nearby, and the island is headquaters for approximately a dozen boat and yacht clubs.

Anglers celebrate the many prize-winning lunker black bass taken here during tournaments. And, waterskiers and wakeboarders boast that the waters here are the best there are.

Lost Isle - where mail is delivered by boat - is noted for its Mai-tais, and on McDonald Island, Delta Bluegrass produces sod for lawns and pro-baseball fields.

Article found online at "The Log" Californias Boating & Fishing Newspaper.

Top 5 Delta sites:

Delta Protection Commission

California Delta Chambers & Visitors Bureau

SacDelta.com Interactive Guide To The San Joaquin Delta

DeltaBoating.com

SnugHarbor's California Delta

WWW. The City of Rio Vista

Last Updated:

Monday, August 01, 2005