Sacramento River Delta Day Trip

Winding levees, birds wheeling over marshland, the misty Sacramento River—these are some pleasures of a drive through California’s delta region. Start on Highway 12, then head north on Highway 160 toward Freeport, crisscrossing the river on historic drawbridges. The drive is just 56 miles, but allow most of a day.

Suisun City, California

Stroll along the trim marina before starting the day right with plate-size blueberry pancakes at cheery Babs Delta Diner, which has such loyal regulars it keeps a cabinet full of mugs emblazoned with their names.

Rush Ranch Open Space, Suisun City

A two-mile side trip on Grizzly Island Road lets you stretch your legs as you spot burrowing owls, pintail ducks, and soaring raptors on trails that wind through this 2,070-acre tidal marsh and working farm.

Western Railway Museum

Ride restored electric trains along the old tracks of the Sacramento Northern line at this "moving history" museum that houses 100 colorful trains.

Foster’s Bighorn, Rio Vista

Bootlegger and big-game hunter Bill Foster hung his trophies at this Rio Vista lunch spot. Munch your sandwich under the glassy eyes of hundreds of animals, from a headmount of a full-grown African elephant to a willowy giraffe.

Locke, California

At Walnut Grove, traverse the river (from Highway 160) for a detour to Locke, established in 1915 by Chinese laborers. Today you’ll find creaky houses, galleries, and the Dai Loy gambling museum with its fan-tan tables.

Old Sugar Mill

Cross the river again to Clarksburg, where boutique wineries occupy a former sugar beet refinery at the Old Sugar Mill.

Additional reporting by Erin Klenow.