San Joaquin River Delta

I can't help but to give the dirty D a 4 star....It might be the nastiest when it comes to water, but family fun and friend gatherings make this place on point FunEnjoyment EntertainingAnd some good vibes

I know the Delta is grody, but I don't care. I spent so much of my childhood tubing, waterskiing, & wake boarding out here that I can't help but love it. Most people never venture more than a mile off the Main Channel, but you'll be rewarded if you explore. We have a couple go-to spots that are never busy even on a 110 degree Saturday during the summer & always have prime glass for skiing.I've gotten sick after wiping out & swallowing a mouthful of water, so I recommend bringing a bottle of Pepto for said wipe outs. Gross? You betcha, but even with this yuck factor, I still love the Delta. People are super friendly out here- always saying hi & waving. I'm not sure why, but even the most callous, hardened jerks will begin smiling once the boat is cruising along & the breeze is whipping through their hair. I think it's because the Delta has magical qualities :)

I learned to water ski on a channel in the Delta, but learned to wakeboard on Don Pedro waters. I realized I preferred wakeboarding but pretty much avoided coming to the Delta because of all the "horror" stories I've heard. But guess you have to go with the right people that know the perfect channels...doesn't hurt if you come on an off weekend also when there's not too many boats out.And since my friends are awesome, I've gotten nothing but glass up here. Beautiful rides!! The water is a bit questionable (once saw a dead "animal" floating in the waters) hence, four stars instead of five. It's patrolled pretty heavily so make sure you're obeying water rules!One of my friends knows an incredible launching spot...(sorry! I'm sworn to secrecy and can't divulge that info), but easy in and out, no wait lines, clean restrooms nearby, storage, gas, and mini mart (maybe you can figure it out with that info teehee). There are several bars/restaurants that you can dock the boat up to and walk in to enjoy. I heard there's camping also but I've never experienced. There still some sort of farmer feel to the canals as we once saw people out there diggin away for clams. All and all, great fun!! Definitely will return every Spring/Summer for the wakeboarding season! =)

*PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT*Meaning, what you bring with you to enjoy there should also be the trash you throw away when you're done---anywhere but THERE.People really don't appreciate the beauty of the delta! They associate the word "delta" with... The community college here in Stockton (with of course, it's bad reputation) or... Thinking it's where all the hobo's go to piss. Do you know where hobo's piss? Everywhere. Not just the actual delta. Just sayin'.There's something about water that makes me feel so at peace. It's so serene and gorgeous. I can't walk my dog anywhere unless it's next to the water. Whether it be the delta access behind Barkleyville, or the trail along Michael Faklis park, or just driving west-bound down March Lane!There's definitely your occasional muskrats and river otters waving hi at you OR playing with a rock. The teasing fish that you wanna catch but apparently chum won't get you hooked to your rod. Uhh, the awesome bird migrations that you get to see seasonally. The sounds of the waves smashing into the rocks?! I love nature!The one thing I hate most about aaaall of the places that I go to to specifically walk my dog is the rude, careless people that throw their trash everywhere. Grown adults in their twenties and thirties throwing aaall sorts of bottles and paper trash all over the place! Does glass really belong along the delta? There's really, absolutely NO WHERE for you to throw it away? It's the small things like this that families and kids can't enjoy the water safely. Come on. Use some common sense. It's not even common sense. It's just pure nature to not throw shit along the freaking delta.Um. Yeah. I love the delta. I hate rude people. That's all. Enjoy the delta! CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELVES.

So, went with the SJ Sheriff's to check out the SJ Delta and got some new history on the area, first of all, 600 of the 1000 miles of inland waterways called, "The Delta", are in San Joaquin County. Of those 1000 miles of waterways, 4 counties are included; Contra Costa, Sacramento, Solano and San Joaquin. The Sheriff's office dredges the waterways for lost loved ones, collaborates with the SJ Co Coroner's office, investigates murders, patrols the waterways for homeland security...I saw a new view of the Delta that in 58.9 years of living I've never seen before and I have a whole new respect for what our Sheriff's Department does and for the wonderful waterways that are contained in our county...the wildlife, the scenery, the nature...so many things-the day was truly awe-inspiring!

The San Jauquin river delta is amazing....Miles of boating in the CA sun, just minutes from the San Francisco bay area...what more could you want? There are plenty of water-front bars and restaurants to entertain you, secretive beaches where you see more skin than clothing, and endless channels of glassy water for skiers and boarders...oh, and great fishing!I personally just like to cruise...and if you want to be in "the mix" with lots of other boats, or off on your own in a secluded area, you can find whatever you're looking for on the Delta. Go explore!

If you are into water sports the Delta has the glass; if your not you have not idea what I am talking about. On the othere hand if your are into water sports the Delta has a large number of canals and sloughs that smooth out fast for that ultimate glass ride. While it can get a little busy on weekends the Delta is hugh, 738,000 acres according to Maureen, so there is plenty of room for everyone.There are lots of bars, marina and camp grounds adjacent to the water all around the Delta. Some are nice, others are spooky (think redneck meets zombies meets venice beach) and some sadly are gone (Lost Isle). The canals are the end result of chinese laborers building levies to make farm islands out of marsh land. The levies appear to be about 10' high and the the farm land is actually 10' down from the levey or dirt/rock barrier mound. A couple of these levey's broke over time leading to strange shallow bays inside the sunken islands. Be careful when taking your boat through these as there are rumors of sunken farm equipment still protruding up to the surface. (Supossedly, one poor fellow was in escrow to buy Mildred Island back in 1947 when the levey broke flooding the island. they repaired the levey, escrow closed and a few days after that another bigger break in the leavy occured. Mildred Island has been full of water ever since.) The Delta is full of interesting sights, wrecks and bars to see and enjoy.

We've boated there many times. As boat driver I have to be constantly aware of how far we are from the rocks, the shallow water and other hazards. We've had a lot of great times there but the boat driver can never relax 100% because there are always those thoughts. So who can recommend a good place for family camping? We loved Orwood but they eliminated tent camping. Too bad, weekdays were so quiet and they have a great launch ramp. We tried Tiki Lagoon but won't return there again.

This place is fun for watersports and camping. Weather is nice and hot in the summer with the water temps tolerable, even in the spring. Handful of restaurants and bars sprinkled throughout the winding waterways. get a boat, grab a wakeboard and go party!