Discover Rio Vista – Winter 2015 Magical Delta Road Trip Story and Photos by Jan Vick

The Delta is a magical place to explore. There are Continue north until you reach another bridge across miles of levee roads, sloughs, farms and wetlands. It’s the river – this is the Paintersville Bridge. Cross and fun to just drive and take any road that catches your turn right to go south along the river. fancy. To give you a glimpse of the possibilities, here is a short tour you Several miles down the road lies can do in a day or an afternoon. the tiny town of Locke. During the early 20th century, Chines Begin in downtown Rio Vista. Go immigrants were prohibited from north on Front Street, under the owning land. The town was built by bridge and turn right on Highway and for Chinese on land leased from 84, also known as River Road. George Locke. Take a break from Continue through town along- side your trip; park the car and walk the river until you come to the Real the main street. There is a small McCoy II Ferry landing. The ferry but interesting museum, several is free, and is run by Caltrans. It galleries, and Al the Wops (or Al’s runs about every 20 minutes to Place). This old watering hole is a . Ryer Island is largely glimpse into the slow Delta lifestyle. agricultural, with a marina and a Go in to look at all the dollar bills small resort. Turn right off the ferry on the ceiling (and have one of their and proceed around the bottom of the island. You delicious hamburgers). come to another ferry, the J-Mack, which is a cable ferry that takes you to Grand Island. Continue south along the river to Walnut Grove, a slightly larger town. Exiting the ferry, turn left It also has interesting places on Grand Island. to see, including This is a a couple of narrow restaurants. road, but As you fun to leave drive Walnut – just Grove, take it do not fairly cross slow. the On river the on way, pass the green by the Grand Island drawbridge, but Mansion. The Mansion was continue through town. built in 1917 for San Franciscan On your right is the Georgiana Louis Meyers and his wife Audrey, daughter Slough Bridge; cross it and turn right. of Lubin of the Weinstock Lubin departments’ stores This places you on the east side of the river, in Sacramento. This beautiful which has less traffic than showplace is now an event center, Hwy 160 on the other side. but offers Sunday Brunch to the Continue along the river to the public. (See grandislandmansion. stop sign sign at the Isleton com for more information.) Bridge where you meet up with Hwy 160. Continue straight As you continue around Grand to Isleton. Wander the old Island you pass many well- part of town where there are tended mansions, both old and stores, restaurants and a newly- new. Journey past fields of pears, restored Tong building. corn, grapes and many other agricultural products, which As you leave Isleton, continue illustrates the importance of Delta along the river until you come agriculture. When you come to the Rio Vista Bridge. Turn to a stop sign, turn left across right and you are back where . You are now you started, having enjoyed your on the . magical Delta road trip!