What is a good 5-6 day trip on the sacramento delta?

P

potter water

New member
Would like to try a 5 day trip on the Sacramento Delta. Looking for advice on a starting and turn around point to make a nice 5 to 6 day round trip on a nice part of the Delta. Would be heading down there starting monday and staying in that area through the following Monday. Taking my twin powered 22 cruiser. Driving from northern utah and will go via reno and down the mountains towards Stockton. But will go anywhere we can plan on a decent stay on the water.

I need Ideas with specific starting and turn around locations.

Comments on weather, winds, bugs, security, etc. also welcome. Will mostly stay on the boat, but would like to spend the evenings in marinas with shower etc.

I did watch the nice video on the recent delta gathering, but it was short on specifics. Got me in the mood though.

Thanks ahead of time.
 
Potter;
I am by no means a Delta expert, but I would suggest Rio Vista's Delta Marina as a central launching place. The Pittsburg Marina is nice. Up river there are many places, a bit more rustic but nice and comfortable. Just go and explore, the marinas tend to be friendly and informal.
Enjoy..
 
We've launched in Delta Marina in Rio Vista a couple of times. they'll store your trailer/truck for a fee. Right across the river is the Brannan Island State Recreation Area with a launch ramp. You can head upstream or downstream from there.

Here's a discussion on cruising the Delta: Delta Cruising

Hal Schell's Delta Dwldler was the cruising guide we used 20 years ago. theer may be a more up-to-date one now, but not a better one.

If you want to go south into San Francisco Bay, you can launch at Suisun City Marina on Montezuma Slough. You can head upriver to the Sacramento/San Joaquin Rivers or south to San Pablo Bay/SF Bay. This avoids the junction of the Sacramento river where it enters into Suisun Bay. It's rough when wind is against tyde.
 
We are on our third year in the Delta since its an easy drive down from Southern Oregon. So here are some suggestions
I would launch at Delta Marina in Rio Vista, call ahead and I am sure they will make arrangements to store your vehicle and trailer while you are out.
Places to go
1. Anchor at Mandeville for a night or Potato Slough
2. Spend a night at Giusti's on the Mokelumne, $10 for the dock overnight with water and electricity, nice place to swim and the restaurant and bar are a classic. They are closed on Mondays, Wednesday is 2/1 lobster night so its always busy then.
3. Walnut Grove - we usually don't use the city dock but stay across from town at Dagmars and you can just walk in to town. You can also walk up to Locke for lunch at Al the Wops - another classic place
4. Spend the night in Rio Vista and go to Fosters Big Horn, and there is a nice restaurant right by the marina called Memo's
5. Tower Park is a nice overnight
6. If you are heading down river stay in Antioch, near the marina is the New Beer Garden looks dicey but they have great hamburgers, you can catch Amtrak right by the marina and go down to Oakland for an afternoon A's game
7. Benicia - a fun town, lots of restaurants and some shopping but you have to watch the weather if you are heading down Suisan Bay
8. Anchor in Sutter Slough off the Sacramento or Steamboat,
There's lots more but that should get you started with some ideas and con tact me if you want
Best
Eric
 
Do you want to go down the River to San Francisco, or just stay in the Delta, and enjoy some of its beauty? Do you want a round trip--not repeating, or are you OK with taking some of the same route coming and going?

If staying in the Delta, try and make a loop to include some of the areas in both the Sacramento and the San Joaquin rivers.

I would pick up Hal Schell's Delta Map and Guide ASAP, and also a book on cruising the delta. Schell died in 2005, and his last book is 1995 if you can get a copy worth while, but not a lot of changes…since. --all of the ones I have are way out of date (not even sure that Schell's map is available, if not there is the Delta Guide by Franco. If you have the Garmin Blue Chart Mobile and Active Captain together they give some reviews on the various anchorages and marinas--plus it all is free (as I recollect). Be sure and update Active Captain before you leave home on WiFi. (which I just did and was disappointed that there were not many current reviews as I would expect) The Navionics electronic chart app is a bit better--but not that much better, than if I didn't have it, that I would buy it.

There is some good information at:

http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s28/ ... -6139.html

The ramp and parking is secure at the marina just South of Rio Vista where the Delta Cruise starts--Delta Marina Yacht Harbor. Another place where I have launched is at The Towers Marina and RV park closer to the freeway near Lodi.

If you want to stay in the Delta, I stayed at anchor, each night, rather than a marina.--often bow to the bank.

See http://deltaboating.com/marinas-wdelta.htm (There is also a section on the bridges and restaurants, click on those). Check out the eateries on one of the sites such as Yelp or Urban spoon--and Active Captain for Marina reports.

My favorites are Locke Slough, the Meadows, Potato Slough, Steamboat Slough, etc. Marinas I have enjoyed include the Delta Marina Yacht Harbor (decent restaurant.) Herman and Helens (Delta type of hangout food). Hidden Harbor,( we spent a week there with friends in our sailboat--I think they take transients)

There are connections between the Sacramento River:( Rio Vista, Walnut Grove) and the San Joaquin River (leading to Stockton) thru 3 mile slough. The Cross Delta Canal is only open at limited times, and there is an 8'4" bridge clearance at low water, I would not consider this as a reliable crossing between the river systems. There are several other major rivers: the American River, and the Mokelumne River. The Mokelumne is one of the major waterways up to Locke Slough and the Meadows on the back side of the Sacramento river.

There are a maze of Islands, Tracts and cuts. A few of these cuts have bridges which have limited clearance of 12'4" to 14"--if you can get under these, you are good--but you need to know the bridge hours (see Active Captain and the link to Delta Boating above). I suspect that some of our residents in this part of the world could give you a better concise tour for the limited time.

If you want to head down to San Francisco--there are marinas we have stayed at in Benicia, You can stop at marinas in Vellejo and go up the Napa River, or go up the Petaluma River to the municipal docks (where the Delta cruise goes), but beware of the bridge openings: You may have to call ahead for the Bridge in Petaluma.

Down the bay to Angel Island (moorings for overnight--docks only during the day I believe). Sausalito Schoonmaker Point Marina is a great destination--fuel dock up the way about a mile.

Pier 39 or South Beach in San Francisco. Jack London Square Marina , Oakland, and then back up the River to Rio Vista…more places than days.
 
Excellent help so far. I'm open to a round trip same route or a loop. Much that has been suggested so far is very nice. I'd probably not do the Frisco bay on this trip, but rather spend my time exploring the Delta proper.

How about bugs and weather this time of year. I have the 10 day, but I suspect there are local weather phenomenon as you move about the delta.
 
Hi Potter,

I live near the delta and a lot of good information has already been provided for destinations.

This time of year you can expect bugs. I have not been out yet this year but would expect mosquitoes in the evening. I try to keep the cabin closed except for screened windows. I purchased one of the mosquito replant devices to try in the cockpit. it also depends on location. Back water more bugs, open water or marina usually less.

There are times when we have multitudes of tiny flying nat-like bugs. They don't bite but can be annoying. I think I have a picture in my album that shows the bugs on my boat in the morning. They are impossible to keep out of the cabin. I never really know when they will be around but a decent breeze will take care of them as well as mosquitoes.

It looks like the weather is predicted to be very nice - 70 to 80s. We can get strong winds in the spring but it is looking good so far. If it does get windy there are lots of places you can go and not be in big water.

I am thinking of getting my boat out for a few days. Let me know if you would like to meet up.

Steve
 
Uh, have you checked the prices of Schell's Delta Books? When they're listed as new, used and collectables you know they're not for a casual trip.

New is from $425 to $285, used from $140 to $85 and then there's collectable.

I'm gonna find our copy and rent it out. If we still have it.

Boris
 
There was a 2007 edition of Schell's Guide to Cruiising on the Delta, which was completed by his friends after his death in 2005. The works were taken from what he had started shortly before he passed on. The price was $21.99--not sure if it is available or not.

My copy of his map cost $2.95--and the price sticker is still on it. Not sure when I bought it, but most likely when I did the first Delta Cruise in 2003. If anyone wants it--give a shout.
 
For the first part of the week in the Delta you probably won't have to deal with any bugs. The wind is going to blow them all away.

It is a little windy. The more open areas such as the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and any areas west of Pittsburg may be bouncy. The smaller sloughs should not be that rough but you can still feel the wind.

I plan to head out later today for a few days to visit some areas I have not spent much time in.

Steve
 
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