The San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers empty into 2,000 miles of river delta and estuary, which eventually lead to the San Francisco Bay. A number of cities and towns line the Delta, providing boaters with a number of services and supplies that making fishing and recreation an aspect of day-to-day life on the Delta.

Marinas and Boat Launches

Delta boaters are never in short supply of fuel, groceries, launches or boat repair, as the waterways are littered with dozens of marinas, ranging from high-end to casual and inexpensive. Located at the Stockton Channel is 5 Star Marina, formerly known as Stephens Marine Facility, which features a fuel dock, guest dock, boat berths and restaurant. The Delta Marina Yacht Harbor, in Rio Vista on the Sacramento River, features RV and camping sites, a boat launch and marine repair. Paradise Point Marina is a popular marine, located on 8-Mile Road in Stockton. The marina offers many services, including personal watercraft and houseboat rentals.


Throughout the Delta, usually on beaches or islands, restaurants and bars cater to the boaters, with anchorages instead of parking lots. Diners snack on crawdads at Isleton Joe's Restaurant in Isleton or party through the night at the Lost Isle bar and restaurant, located on an island accessible by boat. Delta Discovery Cruises sail year-round, launching from Pittsburgh. They provide a romantic dining experience onboard the cruise ship. Route options include sailing down the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, a trip to Montezuma Slough or Suisun Bay to view the U.S. Naval Heritage located there. They offer brunch, lunch, sunset and themed cruises, such as the Karaoke Cocktail Cruise. Operating out of a small farm on Steamboat Slough, Hartland Nursery specializes in natural wetland and riparian habitat restoration. The nursery provides educational eco-tours aboard their riverboat, Tule Queen. During the narrated tours, guests learn about the area's history, natural flora and fauna and current conservation efforts. Contact the nursery for cruise reservations and price (see Resource).


A favorite Delta pastime, boaters anchor their vessels along various hooks, otherwise known as gunkholing. The waterways contain hundreds of suitable anchorages, called gunkholes, some of which have gained legendary status, like Steamboat Slough. Generally free of wake and wind, Horseshoe Cove, on Little Mandeville Island, can house up to 100 boats, making it both a popular and peaceful gunkhole. Found in Walnut Grove, Lost Slough is a favorite among sail boaters. Flooded in 1983, and never recovered, Mildred Island provides the perfect fishing hole for avid fishermen, according to the Delta's Visitor Bureau. Many anchor on the west side of the island where there are sandy beaches.

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