Travel is one of our main passions, and it’s always great to hear about places you’ve not been or the “hidden treasures!” For those of you traveling in California, “the Delta” looks to be a place not to miss! Lisa shares some history about this “off the beaten path” destination!
Guest Post By Lisa Riddle
Those interested in a quick day trip from Sacramento need only look as far as the San Joaquin Delta – or simply “the Delta” to locals. While the Delta and its maze of rivers and tributaries is popular among boaters, it offers something for everyone from fine dining to bird watching to sites of historical significance.
The Delta’s northernmost boundary is about 10 miles south of Sacramento, and just west of Interstate 5. From Sacramento and I-5 South, you can take the Pocket Road Exit, head east and then turn right almost immediately on Freeport Blvd. Just past the Barley Cavanaugh Golf Course, you’ll traverse the tiny Freeport Bridge and then turn left onto South River Road (County Hwy E9). As its name implies, you’ll skirt along the river’s edge as you make your way south to Clarksburg.
You can’t miss the Old Sugar Mill on your right – and you’re correct if you guessed it was once an old sugar mill! Construction was completed in 1935 and it was home to several sugar mills over the years until it finally closed production in 1993.
The Old Sugar Mill has since been renovated and is now home to tasting rooms for eight local wineries, several of which produce their wines on the premises. The Sugar Mill is a unique location for special events as well. It’s a must-see stop on your Delta tour.
From there you can drive through the beautiful town of Clarksburg before continuing south on River Road. While there are so many areas to explore in this region, another must-see location is the town of Locke. From Clarksburg you’ll head south on South River Road about fifteen miles, past the towns of Courtland and Vorden, before arriving at the intriguing and historic town of Locke.
Locke was built in 1915 when a fire burned down the Chinese district of nearby Walnut Grove. The Chinese community hired Chinese architects to design its three-street town. It was originally named Locketown but changed names to Locke in the early 1920s. Locke has the distinction of being the only U.S. town built by Chinese for Chinese. These immigrants were initially hired to help with the railroads, and then later became the labor force for construction on the river and farming. Locke was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1970 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1990.
Locke almost resembles a ghost town, but it still boasts a population of about 70 people, only a handful of which are descendants of the original Chinese community. Take the time to stroll down the wood sidewalks and marvel at the unique architecture of this historic landmark. I guarantee you’ll feel like you stepped back into time.
From Locke, you might be ready for the return trip home to Sacramento. You could head back north on River Road, turn east on Twin Cities Road to I5 and make your way back to the city. Or, as we at Carefree Byways prefer, take another back road home! From Locke, head back north on River Road, east on Twin Cities, but rather than catch I5, continue on to Bruceville Road where you’ll head north. It won’t be long before you’re back in the sprawling suburbs of Elk Grove. From here you can head west on either Elk Grove Blvd or Laguna Blvd to meet I5, or turn east on either of those thoroughfares to catch Hwy 99.
We hope you take the time to get off the beaten path to visit Sacramento’s historic Delta Region. Safe travels!
Val Sutter and Lisa Riddle are a husband-wife team of enthusiastic travelers. While they love to see the world, they’re most content driving America’s back roads. Val is a historian, specializing in American History. Lisa is a freelance photographer. Together they are travel writers on www.carefreebyways.com.
Speak Your Mind