Rainy Winter Night

Here in Northern California (and the Southwestern United States in general) we're very attuned to snowpack in the mountains, water storage levels, and water usage. We're frequently heading into a drought, in a drought, or just coming out of one. Our climate here in the San Francisco Bay Area is "summer dry", meaning that we get most of our rain in the winter months. Many of us try to conserve water using various strategies both inside and outside the house.

Winter rain is cause for celebration!

This year we received a lot of rain in November and December, thanks to several atmospheric rivers that traveled through our area. And then it stopped, except for a few brief evening showers in January and February. The clay soil hangs on to water at the molecular level for the summer months ahead, but we always hope for more. Finally, it rained last night!

Benicia and the Delta

My husband and I are just back from a four-day trip to Benicia and the Delta. That may not sound as exciting as a trip to Hawaii, Alaska, or Europe, but I had read an article that caught my imagination, in the Regional in Nature Activity Guide (East Bay Parks District, September-October 2021, page 7) . "A Day Drive in the Delta" described a 46-mile driving loop that starts at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley, CA, follows Highway 160 North, links up with Highways 220 and 84, and ends in Rio Vista, CA. I've always wanted to know more about "the Delta", and this sounded like a great way to start. It didn't take long to put together an itinerary for a short trip! 

Union Hotel in Benicia, established in 1852

View of the Carquinez Bridge from Coast Lotus

We stayed at the charming Union Hotel in historic Benicia, CA. From the Coast Lotus room, we had great views of Carquinez Strait and the Carquinez Bridge. Benicia was incorporated in March 1850 and has served as the state capital for 13 months from 1853 to 1854; as the site for an arsenal for the United States Army; and as the location for the original Mills College (then called the Young Ladies Seminary) before it moved to Oakland. We spent a day enjoying the local sites.

Benicia Bridge Vista Point (old and new bridges)

Benicia Clock Tower

Benicia Arsenal
(Benicia Historical Museum at the Camel Barns)

View from the Benicia City Cemetery

Benicia Capitol State Park

The next day we launched out to explore the Delta, following the map and information in "A Day Drive in the Delta". At the Big Break Regional Shoreline visitor center we learned about the Delta, its origin as a vast wetlands, and the fifty years of human engineering to create a series of levees and agricultural land. The Delta refers to the intricate network of waterways, canals, and sloughs that connect the Sierra Nevada to the San Francisco Bay.

Map excerpt from "A Day Drive in the Delta" (East Bay Parks District)

First visit to the Big Break Visitor Center

Scoop used to reclaim land

We had a picnic at the Brannan Island State Recreation Area, and learned more about the workers who built the agricultural lands at Isleton (because of time, we didn't visit the Locke Historic District). 

Picnic break at Brannan Island State Recreation Area

Slough by Brannan Island

Isleton Chinese and Japanese Commercial Districts

Chinese Laborers Memorial Pavilion in Isleton

We drove across Ryer's Island, enjoying the green fields and waterways from the highway built on top of the levees. Two ferries are part of the highway system, and enabled us to access and depart Ryer's Island. We arrived at Rio Vista in time to see the Rio Vista Bridge raise so a ship could pass, but managed to evade the resulting traffic jam that was waiting to cross the bridge. Back at the hotel, I spotted a ship approaching the Carquinez Bridge and wondered if it had passed under the Rio Vista Bridge a couple of hours before.

The highway follows the levees

Waiting for the "Real McCoy Ferry"

Rio Vista Bridge vertical-lift bridge in the raised position
(CSR 12 across the Sacramento River)

Ship approaches the Carquinez Bridge at Sunset

The next day we slept in, and spent a lazy day walking to the First Street Peninsula and public fishing pier, and strolling around town. We ended the day with a delicious dinner at the Union Hotel Restaurant & Bar, and great conversation about all our interesting experiences and adventures. 

First Street Peninsula

Sunset over Carquinez Strait

Union Hotel Restaurant

I really enjoyed our time on the Delta, seeing all that rich farmland and waterways, and thinking about the complex balance between pristine wetlands and human needs for transportation, food, and water. We just scratched the surface of the Delta, but I still came away with a new appreciation for California's unique water system.

Field Trip to Crystal Springs

On a tip from friends, my husband and I visited the Crystal Springs Reservoir, located across the bay in San Mateo County. We've driven by the reservoir multiple times on our way to Filoli Gardens (even picnicked in the car overlooking the lake), but this was our first time to visit. Plus, someone was having a birthday that deserved to be celebrated! 

Crystal Springs Reservoir

We chose to see the Sawyer Camp Segment of the Crystal Springs Regional Trail, and scored a shady parking spot near the Crystal Springs Dam entrance. 

Sawyer Camp Trail

We weren't alone – the paved, flat trail is a lure for hikers of all ages and stages in life. We saw folks in strollers and wheelchairs, runners and bikers, slow and fast walkers, crutches and canes, and a few who just wanted to find a bench in the shade and enjoy the view. Most folks wore masks, and found a way to keep distance while enjoying a variety of activities – all grateful to be outside and moving!

Lake access is prevented to protect the water supply

View of the lake through the oaks

Shady culvert for tributary creek

We had fine San Francisco Bay Area weather – mid-seventies with a marine breeze through the valley. In a bend in the road we found lichen growing in the oak trees (it must be the perfect microclimate for them). We spent some time goofing off.

Abundant lichen

Goofing off by the lake

The dam is over a hundred years old, but was recently refurbished and expanded. A small monument celebrates the centennial of the dam, and its engineer (Hermann Schussler, 1842 - 1919).

Monument to Crystal Springs Dam

"If you seek his monument ..."

Crystal Springs dam water level

We didn't make it to the Jepson Laurel tree or the Pulgas Water Temple (future outings), but we loved getting out of the house, exploring new territory, and seeing new sights. We headed for home and the rest of the birthday celebration with pizza, chocolate cake, and a DVD. I recommend the Sawyer Camp Trail as an accessible and family friendly trail!

San Mateo Bridge with a view to the East Bay hills

Landscaping at Bishop Ranch

We just celebrated our one-year anniversary at Bishop Ranch with champagne and chocolate. Recall a year ago our office moved from Dublin to San Ramon, after 15 years in the same location (see Roaming in San Ramon). We were all a little nervous about the open floor plan and new routines. Fast forward a year, and we're all settled in and enjoying the new location and its many amenities.

One of the lakes at Bishop Ranch

I especially appreciate the fantastic landscaping of the Bishop Ranch property, and the incredible landscape management. We are situated in the original Bishop Ranch complex, so I am most familiar with its campus. The scale of the landscaping is vast, with lots of room to roam.

Small marina on the second lake

Main features include two lakes, a small marina, walking paths and exercise stations, lots of parking, and landscaping on a grand scale. The trees and plants are Mediterranean and native, and the whole complex is watered with gray water. The lakes provide habitat for birds and fish and are designed to be sustainable systems. The public is invited to walk around the property from dawn to dusk (easily accessible by the Marriott near Target), and the Roundhouse is open for lunch.

Roundhouse viewed from one of the trails

I’m hoping to learn more about how the landscaping company catalogs, tracks, and maintains such a large property (might get some ideas for managing the home garden on a smaller scale). In the meantime, I love my brisk afternoon walks, and the chance to observe the plants and property go through the seasons in our San Francisco Bay Area climate.

Heron at lakeside	Mount Diablo
Leaf Patrol	Tree Inventory

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Roberts Regional Recreation Area

This month we are visiting the last park on our itinerary of East Bay Watershed parks that contribute to our emergency water supply, and provide great recreational opportunities right in our back yard! This time we are visiting Roberts Recreational Regional Park, which is surrounded on three sides by Redwood Regional park. But I'd like to highlight it, because it provides a place to host gatherings as well as enjoy nature.

Roberts Regional Recreational Area

Redwood Grove

Blossom Rock Navigation Trees Exhibit

Manzanita Loop Trail

The 82-acre park opened in 1952, and its entrance is in a second-generation grove of redwood trees. The original trees were logged in 1860, and the current trees are descendants of the famous trees used by ship captains to navigate San Francisco Bay. The original trees were reported to be up to 20 feet in diameter.

View of Mount Diablo from the Vista Point

Sports field with a view of the San Francisco Bay

Swimming pool

Sycamore picnic area

Park amenities include a playground (wheel chair accessible area for children), archery range, sports fields, volleyball court, swimming pool, and picnic sites. Check the Park Calendar on the website for groups hikes, swimming and archery lessons, and hours of operation. Some amenities require advanced online registration, others are on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan your group gatherings accordingly.

Ring of Redwood trees	Redwood needles
Redwood duff	Fall colors

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A network of trails connects with trails through the Redwood Regional Park, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, jogging, and horseback riding. Check out the Graham Trail, Manzanita Loop, Roberts Ridge Trail, and Vista trails. This park may not fit everyone's needs, but it is a place to consider when planning a large group event, or special birthday celebration.

Address:  Recreational Area – 10570 Skyline Boulevard; Oakland, CA 94611  Web Site: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/roberts Map: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/roberts#maps Wild Plants: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/roberts#resources For other parks and preserves in the East Bay watershed, see:  https://edenbythebay.blogspot.com/2017/02/parks-of-east-bay-watershed.html

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