VACATION RIGHT HERE IN
YOLO COUNTY
By Dave Rosenberg
Yolo County Supervisor, District Four
Don't have the time to spend a two week vacation in Hawaii? Don't have
the money for a week in Europe? Haven't got either the time or the money for
a weekend jaunt to Monaco?
Well, how about a short drive for a nice, inexpensive, easy-to-get-to
get-away rather close to home? How close? Very. Consider a day drive or a weekend
in one of Yolo County's own parks, campgrounds or recreation areas!
Yes. You read it right. Yolo County. County parks in Yolo County
total over 1,100 acres and boast an amazing (yet, little known) local array of
recreational opportunities.
Here's what is available right here in your own home county:
CACHE CREEK CANYON REGIONAL PARK
The Cache Creek Canyon Regional Park is located along Highway 16,
approximately 6 miles north of the town of Rumsey. This 700+ acre park consists
of 3 developed areas: Upper, Middle and Lower sites, plus acres of undeveloped
land across the creek. This park also provides access to 54,000 acres of Federal
Bureau of Land Management property, including the Blue Ridge Trail. Park hosts
are on duty 24 hours per day, 7 days a week at the Middle site location.
Cache Creek Canyon Regional Park offers recreational opportunities such
as picnicking, nature study, fishing, trails for hiking and horseback riding,
tubing and camping. Private concessionaires offer white water rafting. Reservations
can be made by contacting them directly. Facilities at the Middle site include
3 group and 45 individual campsites, along with picnic and parking areas. A $5.00
a day use fee is required at the Upper, Middle and Lower sites. The individual
sites are rented on a first come, first served basis. A campsite must be physically
occupied with camping equipment in place. Individual campsites will accommodate
8 people and each group site will accommodate 30 people. The group areas and
picnic area can be reserved. For more information on camping, call 666-8115.
CAMP HASWELL PARK
Located 2 miles north of the town of Rumsey along State Highway 16,
this old Boy Scout camp is ideally situated to enjoy Cache Creek, have a picnic
or just pull off the road for a rest in the summer. This park is heavily used
by rafters as a take out site.
CLARKSBURG BOAT RAMP
The Clarksburg Boat Ramp facility is located on a 3.9 acre shelf of
land inside the Sacramento River levee just 1.5 miles below the town of Clarksburg
on County Road E-9. The boat ramp serves as an access to the Sacramento River
for boating, fishing and water skiing. Parking and sanitary facilities are provided.
ELKHORN REGIONAL PARK
The Elkhorn Regional Park is located between the levee and the
Sacramento River, east of County Road 22, 1.75 miles south of where Interstate
5 crosses the Sacramento River. This park of 55 acres has lush riparian vegetation
and a wide variety of wildlife. Recreational opportunities offered at this site
include fishing, picnicking, hiking, bicycling, nature study and boating access
to the Sacramento River. There are picnic tables, trails, parking and sanitary
facilities. The park is open from 7:00 a.m. to dusk, except when river conditions
require closure.
ESPARTO COMMUNITY PARK
The Esparto Community Park is a 4 acre site located along State Highway
16 in the town of Esparto. There are picnic tables, a barbecue, large shade trees,
turf area, playground and portable restrooms.
GRASSLANDS REGIONAL PARK
The Grasslands Regional Park is located on 230 acres just south of
Davis along Mace Boulevard (County Road 104) between County Road 35 and County
Road 36. The site is home to a large archery range, championship horseshoe courts
and radio controlled gliders. They share the area with Red Tailed and Swainson's
hawks, burrowing owls and other raptors for air space. Valley oak trees have
been planted on over 100 acres of the site. This park boasts acres and acres
of beautiful local grasslands.
PUTAH CREEK FISHING ACCESS
Putah Creek Fishing Access is located on 150 acres along a 3.25 mile
stretch of Putah Creek and State Highway 128, 7 miles west of the City of Winters,
along scenic State Highway 128. The park offers picnic tables, barbecues, fishing,
parking and sanitary facilities. A swimming area is located at the Solano County
Park on Pleasant Valley Road down from the access area.
VERNON A. NICHOLS PARK
Nichols Park is located along Cache Creek off of State Highway 16 on
County Road 57 at the town of Guinda. This 22 acre park provides picnic tables,
barbecues, play area, beach, swimming, fishing, playground equipment and chemical
toilets. There is a Park Host at the site. The park closes at dusk.
KNIGHTS LANDING BOAT LAUNCH
The Knights Landing Boat Launch is located at 4 acres near the town of
Knights Landing, at the junction of the Sacramento River and Sycamore Slough
on State Route 45 (about 25 miles northwest of Sacramento). This park provides
access to the Sacramento River for boating, water skiing and fishing. Parking
and sanitary facilities are provided. A$5.00 day use fee is required.
All in all, there are plenty of local getaways in Yolo County parks,
most of them only a few minutes drive from home. Check them out!