Walnut Grove Public Dock

If you're in your boat... in the Sacramento River... and you're near Walnut Grove... and you have a hankering for ice cream or pizza... and it's before 7 PM... you're in luck!The Walnut Grove Public Dock is a clean, large mooring facility to park your watercraft for a spell, while you head into town or enjoy one of the businesses close to the dock. And did I mention: it's free! There's a fee for overnight tie ups, but during the day, it's like parking your car on the curb.On our recent camping trip just down the rover from Isleton, our group took a flotilla of boats to the ice cream place at the dock. Summer conditions in the delta made the water warm and relatively clear, and the kids tubes and wake boarded on the way up the river to Walnut Grove.We tied up to the dock, gorged on sweet treats, and returned for a sundown boat ride back.Apparently, fishing used to be allowed here; not anymore. In fact, there are lots of rules posted here, almost comically... and there's room on the wall for more rules to be posted at the whim and fancy of the city council.Definitely a different way of living than our SoCal freeway lifestyle.

She sits on the dock a fishin' in the water uh, huhI don't know her name she's the fisherman's daughter uh, huhCome on down to my boat babyCome on down where we can playCome on down to my boat babyCome on down we'll sail away.....How I go here and how I left remain a bit a mystery here in the Delta. But, this Public Dock is a great place to get off and explore (on foot) the Twin Cities of Walnut Grove and Locke.

We have cruised past this dock a gazillion times and I did not know until the last trip to Walnut Grove that this is a public dock with FREE day use .....don't try to launch your boat here, there is no launch. Free day use is available between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m If you call ahead you can dock your boat for the night. Good if you're sailing in from the bay and would like to explore the cute little river town. The dock is located north of the Walnut Grove Bridge accessible from River Road. There are no services but there is handicap accessibility! The Walnut Grove Public Dock is owned by the Walnut Grove Homeowners & Merchants Association. A per night fee of $10.00 for vessels up to 25 feet in length and $20.00 for vessels longer than 25 feet, is charged for overnight stays. Please call for extended use permits. Fishing is allowed as long as it does not interfere with boats. No cleaning of fish or cutting of bait is allowed on the dock.

I really enjoyed myself here. I love the small town feel and the history of this region. It was such a beautiful day. Next time I will bring a boat.

Such a shame, a very nice Dock however once upon land we were extremely disappointed, no where to put our garbage as the bin we were told to you use was overfull and an absolute eyesore with litter strewn everywhere. The Pizza restaurant was good for us and our children, however, the wait was too long for Ice Cream next door which was a disappointment so we just went to our boat for the evening. The town seems to have so much potential charm but it appears like many other places there isn't anyone that understands what they have.

The Walnut Grove Public Dock is right in front of Mel's Mocha that has wonderful sandwiches and the delicious Gunther's ice cream that is my sweet tooth. I think they deserve 5 stars! Try their coffee ice cream for starters and you'll be hooked for life. The Pizza Factory is just across the street on the same side of the street as Mel's. For breakfast and lunch, try Alma's Cafe within one block. The ambitious can walk to the Chinese town of Locke across from the Locke Boathouse Marina and explore shops like Lisa Kirk's Strange Cargo. There you'll find everything from a map of the Delta waterways, restaurants, and yacht clubs to Johnny Cash photos from Folsom Prison. Al the Wop's still offers great steaks. Moon's Cafe just opened in September 2013 and will even feature bands and singers there. Although there is no electrical hookups for big boats at the Walnut Grove Public dock, the location is perfect to let you explore the real experience of the California Delta! If it had an electric hookup, I'd go for 4 stars.