California's Best Trips 2 - Full PDF eBook

charter anything that
floats, migratory birds
fill the skies and cruisers
meander the uncrowded
roads. The loop ends at
the Brannan Island State
Recreation Area (www.
parks.ca.gov; 17645 State
Highway 160, Rio Vista; sites
$11-25; c#), where sandy
picnic areas and grassy
barbecue areas draw
hard-partying campers.
It’s also a great spot for

families: there’s lots of

space to run around

and a beach where a

lifeguard watches little

ones wade into the reeds.

The park hosts some

good wildlife watching at

Frank’s Tract, a protected

wetland marsh, where

keen-eyed visitors might

spot mink, beaver or

river otter. It also has

loads of birds. Note that

budgetary restrictions

have recently limited

park hours to the

weekends.

The Drive » Take Hwy 160

south to connect with Hwy 4.

Drive west for 30 minutes before

reaching Port Costa, on the

expansive San Pablo Bay. This

drive is particularly nice as the

sun is setting over the water.

Brannan Island Houseboat