A California Tour: A Drive Through the Delta’s Wine Country and Historical Towns

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A California Tour: A Drive Through the Delta’s Wine Country and Historical Towns

(39 reviews)
Sacramento, California audio tour: A California Tour: A Drive Through the Delta’s Wine Country and Historical Towns
This is a 64.2mi driving tour
It takes an average of 120 mins to complete.
Sacramento, California
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$11.99
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About the Tour

The California Delta’s numerous wineries, laid back atmosphere and rural charm draw plenty of visitors every year. But there is also a remoteness to Sacramento County’s quaint riverside towns, which have barely changed since the Gold Rush era. On this driving tour through the Delta’s wine country, passing the historical towns of Hood, Locke, Walnut Grove, Ryde and Clarksburg, I’ll share the stories that most travelers miss.

This two-hour tour hugs the Sacramento River between Freeport and Isleton, once known as the Paris of the Delta. As you cruise along Highway 160, I’ll tell you about the area’s rich history, its agriculture, and point out the towns, museums, restaurants, and wineries you’ll pass. Your journey will also take you off the main highway to visit the Grand Island Mansion and Clarksburg Wine Country. As you enjoy the spectacular views while you drive, you’ll hear stories about the area’s past, including forgotten hamlets like Paintersville and Vordon. You’ll also have the opportunity to:

  • Learn how the California Delta went from marshland to farmland
  • Discover the significance of the steamboat and the railroad in early Delta towns
  • Hear the history of the two greatest steamboats to cruise down the river, the Delta King and Delta Queen
  • Find out why the Delta is a premiere water resource in California
  • Explore the rustic towns of Locke and Walnut Grove and learn about the significant contributions made by the Chinese and Japanese
  • View the opulent Grand Island Mansion
  • Visit several of the Clarksburg Appellation’s wineries and tasting rooms, including Bogle Family Vineyards, and Scribner Bend Vineyards
  • Wind down at the charming waterside restaurants along the Sacramento
  • Relive Delta stories of floods, fires, murder, prohibition, and steamboat racing
  • Drive along Clarksburg Wine Country’s back roads

If you don’t stop and get out of your car anywhere on this tour, this 65-mile drive along a two-lane levee road can be completed in about two hours. However, if time is not an issue, feel free to stop along the way and enjoy any one of the restaurants, wineries and museums listed in Places to Stop Along the Way.

Categories
Local Legends Neighbourhoods Food And Drink Parks And Gardens Top Sights

Tour Producer

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Lynn Momboisse

25 tours

Hi! My name is Lynn. I am a native of California and have resided in Northern California for most of my life. I have a love for discovering the hidden treasures in my own back yard. For many years I lived in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea where I co-authored the book Historic Homes and Inns of Carmel-by-the-Sea. During my time in Carmel-by-the Sea, I served on the Carmel Heritage Society, and Historic Resources Board. My love of history and passion for discovering the beauty of the Golden State has led me to create a fun little blog titled "Adventures of a Home Town Tourist" where I recount many of my walking tours and hiking adventures throughout the world. I currently live in the majestic Sierra Foothills and have written several walking and driving tours of the Lake Tahoe area as well as the California Gold Country. I am so excited to continue to share my travel adventures through the power of VoiceMap. I can't wait for you to join me. Happy Adventures!

Preview Location

Location 72

History of Isleton

In just a few miles we will come to the town of Isleton. Once called the Paris of the Delta and the Asparagus Capital of the World, Isleton is located on Andrus Island, it is the southernmost we will venture on this driving tour.

Isleton was founded in 1874 by Mexican-Amer... Read More
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Major Landmarks

  • Freeport

  • Sacramento River

  • Sacramento Delta

  • Bartley Cavanaugh Golf Course

  • Freeport Wine Country Inn

  • Freeport Bar & Grill

  • The Barn at Second Wind

  • Cliff's Marina

  • Lakeview Estates & Winery

  • Scribner Bend Vineyards

  • Hood

  • Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge | Admin Building And Visitor Contact Station

  • Greene and Hemly Inc

  • Courtland

  • Courtland Market-Lycamobile-Red pocket-AT&T Prepaid-bill Payment-Beer&wine Deli & Meets

  • Paintersville

  • Paintersville Bridge

  • Locke

  • Al’s Place

  • Locke Boarding House Museum State Park

  • Chuck Tison Memorial

  • Walnut Grove

  • Walnut Grove Buddhist Temple

  • Walnut Grove Bridge

  • Saint Anthony's Church

  • Central Market

  • Georgiana Slough Bridge

  • Ko-Ket Resort

  • Isleton

  • Ryde

  • Ryde Hotel

  • Steamboat Slough

  • Grand Island Mansion

  • Bogle Family Vineyards

  • Clarksburg

  • Old Sugar Mill

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.
  1. Start location
    8152 Delta Shores Cir S, Sacramento, CA 95832, USA
  2. Total distance
    103km
  3. Final location
    35265 Willow Ave, Clarksburg, CA 95612, USA
  4. Distance back to start location
    6km

Directions to Starting Point

Start: Starbucks, 8152 Delta Shores Cir S, Sacramento, CA 95832

From the North (Sacramento)

Head south on I-5. Take exit 510 towards Consumnes River Blvd. Turn left onto Consumnes River Blvd. Turn right onto Delta Shores Circle S. Turn right onto N Retail Drive. Make the next right and you should see Starbucks on your right ahead. Turn into their parking lot and park near the front entrance.

From the South (Stockton / Elk Grove)

Head north on I-5. Take exit 510 towards Consumnes River Blvd. Turn right onto Consumnes River Blvd. Turn right onto Delta Shores Circle S. Turn right onto N Retail Drive. Make the next right and you should see Starbucks on your right ahead. Turn into their parking lot and park near the front entrance.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Optional Places to Stop Along the Way: Scribner Bend Vineyards, Stone Lakes Wildlife Refuge, Al's Place (aka Al the Wops), Bogle Winery

Stops Along the Way: Town of Locke, Grand Island Mansion, Old Sugar Mills Clarksburg

Below are addresses, phone numbers and open times (as of April 2023) for optional places to stop along the way, stops along the way as well as other options. Listed by town in driving order.

Town of Freeport
Freeport Inn Bar & Grill 8259 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento (Monday through Friday 11am - 10pm / Saturday and Sunday 9am to 10pm)
Optional Stop: Scribner Bend Vineyards - 9051 River Road, Sacramento (Friday through Sunday 11am - 4:30pm) Restroom / Reservations not required for tastings / Reservations required for Barrel Room Tour - 916/744-1803

Town of Hood
Optional Stop: Stone Lakes Wildlife Refuge - 1624 Hood Franklin Rd, Elk Grove (Open daily 7:30am to 4:00pm) Restroom / Free parking, dogs allowed
Hood Station Firehouse Restaurant and Bar - (Open Daily except Monday 12pm to 8pm) 916/ 775-4494

Town of Locke
Locke Boarding House Museum and Visitor Center 13916 Main Street, Locke (Tuesdays and Fridays, noon – 4:00pm / Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00am – 3:00pm) 916 / 776-1661
Joe Shoong Chinese School 13920 Main Street, Locke (Friday 11am to 4pm / Saturday, Sunday 11am to 4:30pm) 916/776-1661
Dai Loy Gambling Museum 13951 Main Street, Locke (Friday 11am to 4pm / Saturday, Sunday 11am to 4:30pm) 916/ 776-1661
Jan Ying Association Museum 13947 Main Street, Locke (Friday 11am to 4pm / Saturday, Sunday 11am to 4:30pm)
Al's Place Restaurant 13943 Main Street, Locke (Opens Daily at 11am) 916/776-1800 - restroom / No Dogs Allowed
Locke Garden Restaurant 13967 River Road, Locke (Open Daily except Monday) 916/776-2100 - restroom / Do Dogs Allowed

Town of Walnut Grove
Grand Island Mansion - 13415 Grand Island Rd, Walnut Grove (open Sundays for brunch 10:30am - reservations highly suggested) 916/ 775-1705 - restroom / No Dogs Allowed

Town of Isleton
Isleton Museum - Historic Bing Kong Tong Building 29 Main Street (Open Saturdays 12 - 3pm) 916/777-7763
Ko-Ket Resort Marina - 14174 Isleton Road, Isleton 916/776-1488
Mei Wah Beer Room 35 Main Street, Isleton 916/777-6688 (open Thursday and Friday 4pm to 8pm / Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 8pm)
Peter’s Steakhouse 203 Second Street, Isleton 916/777-6004 (open 11am to 9pm every day except Tuesday)
Pineapple Restaurant 22 Main Street, Isleton (open 11:30am to 8pm except Tuesday and Wednesday)

Town of Ryde
Ryde Hotel & Restaurant - 14340 CA Highway 160, Ryde 916/776-1318 rydehotel.com

Town of Clarksburg
Optional Stop: at Bogle Vineyards - 37783 Road 44, Clarksburg (Open Daily 10am to 5pm) 916/744-1139 boglewinery.com (reservations recommended for tastings) Restroom / No Dogs Allowed

Wineries Old Sugar Mill - 35265 Willow Avenue, Clarksburg (Driving Tour ends at Old Sugar Mill) No Dogs Allowed

Bonatata Boutique Wine (Saturday, Sunday 11am to 5pm)
Bump City Wine (Friday through Sunday 11am to 5pm)
Carvalho Family Winery (Saturday, Sunday 11am to 5pm)
Elevation Ten (Friday through Monday 10:30am to 4:30pm)
Rendez-Vous Winery (Open daily except Tuesday 11am to 5pm)
Scott Harvey Wines (Open daily except Tuesday 11am to 5pm)
Three Wine Company (Friday through Sunday 12pm to 5pm)

Best time of day

Daytime hours starting mid-morning are best. The majority of the wine tasting rooms are open Friday through Sunday starting around 11am. Some are open daily. For a list of all times please see Places to Stop Along the Way.

Please drink responsibly.

Precautions

Please drive within the speed limit and obey all the rules of the road. If you get out of your car for any reason please cover your valuables and lock your car. When walking in any of the towns on this tour please be careful when crossing the street. Make sure cars coming in any direction have seen you and stopped before proceeding across the street. Watch for tripping hazards and be mindful of your surroundings.

Annual Delta Festivals that might cause this driving tour to be detoured.

Pear Festival takes place annually on the last weekend in July on the grounds of the Bates Elementary School at 180 Primasing Ave, Courtland. There is a parade through Courtland that might cause this driving tour to be detoured. The Pear Festival is free but there is a charge to park nearby. https://pearfair.com/

Isleton Crawdad Festival takes place annually on Main Street in Isleton on Father's Day weekend in June. There is a cost to attend this event. If taking this driving tour on this weekend, your driving tour will be detoured around Main Street. https://www.thecrawdadfestival.com/

Please drink responsibly.

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