Wine Tasting on the Square suisunwaterfront.com
Set on the banks of the California Delta in Solano County,
Suisun City takes its name from the adjacent Suisun Bay,
which in turn is named for the Suisunes, a Native American
tribe of the area.
Beginnings in the Gold Rush Days
860. The Schooner Champion was just one of many that picked
up wheat wharf side in Suisun City. Suisun City was
established in the 1850s around the time of the California
Gold Rush. During that time Suisun City's was the ideal
location for commerce and transportation between the
foothills and the bay area. The town was a beehive of
activity; wagons, carts, buggies, cattle, horses and men
filled the streets. In the 1850s, the principle business in
Suisun City was the sale of grain. It was the shipping point
for the very productive Vaca, Suisun and Green valleys.
wrm.org Electrically powered train trip through the peaceful,
picturesque Montezuma Hills over the original historic main
line of the Sacramento Northern Railway. As a living history
museum, the Western Railway Museum gives visitors the
opportunity to ride authentic historic streetcars and
interurban electric trains from all over California and the
western United States.
Jepson Prairie Reserve - Spring is the ideal time to view
wildflowers such as Fremont's goldfields, yarrow, yellow
carpet, fringed downingia and mini mature lupine at the
preserve, known for its tiny flowers that survive winter and
add vibrant colors to the landscape of vernal pools and
grasslands. Guests on a docent-led wildflower walk at the
usually closed King-Swett Ranches likely will discover a sea
of pink, purple and yellow flowers. Check for dates and
times at solanolandtrust.org.
Ride the rails - Want a unique vantage point to view
wildflowers? How about from the window of a vintage rail
car? The Western Railway Museum at Rio Vista Junction will
be running special Scenic Limited trains every Wednesday,
Saturday and Sunday during April to view wildflowers, such
as poppies, goldfields, brass buttons, vetch and sheep's
sorrel. The Scenic Limited takes visitors 5 miles down the
old Sacramento Northern Railway, south from Highway 12.
During the hour-long train ride, passengers will have an
opportunity to view impressive displays of native
wildflowers that cover the hillsides and fields. Also
running on Saturdays in April is the Vintage Comet, which
will combine wildflower viewing in the beautiful late
afternoon light with tasting of local wines produced by
Suisun Valley Co-op wineries. Contact the Western Railway
Museum - (707) 374-2978 or wrm.org - for departure times and
fares for both excursions.
Grizzly Island Wildlife Area - Located about 10 miles
southeast of Fairfield in the heart of the expansive Suisun
Marsh, the wildlife area offers a 71/2-mile, self-guided
tour along Grizzly Island Road with designated stops at
several parking lots along the route. During spring, Grizzly
Island has some of the highest nesting densities of
waterfowl (mallard, cinnamon teal and gadwall) found
anywhere in California, and nesting areas for northern
harriers and short-eared owls. Shorebirds like killdeer and
black-neck stilt are abundant. Visitors also will have an
opportunity to view herds of tule elk and their newborn
calves, and river otters. Admission is free. Information:
(707) 425-3828 or dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region3/grizzlyisland/willifetour.html.
Suisun Marsh - This coastal wetland and inland marsh is
designated a Globally Important Bird Area by the American
Bird Conservancy and is home to 221 bird species and serves
as the resting and feeding ground for thousands of waterfowl
migrating on the Pacific Flyway. Year-round residents of the
Suisun Marsh include the common yellow-throat, marsh wren,
song sparrow, black rail, great egret and northern harrier.
Set on the northeast edge of the Suisun Marsh is Rush Ranch,
a Solano Land Trust property that conducts scheduled guided
tours of the tidal marsh. On April 28, Rush Ranch will hold
its 22nd annual open house. Admission is free. Information:
(707) 422-4491 or RushRanch.net.
Rescue center - The Suisun Wildlife Center in Suisun City provides
sanctuary for injured wildlife that have been rescued from
the surrounding area. Visit the wildlife center to learn
about the ecology of the Suisun Marsh and see some of the
injured wild animals that are being cared for. Admission is
free. Information: Suisun Wildlife Center, (707) 429-4295 or
SuisunWildlife.org.
Target shooting - Among the best sporting clays venues in
the U.S. is found at Birds Landing Hunting Preserve, set
among the hills and meandering sloughs of the Suisun Marsh.
The preserve is set about 8 miles off Highway 12 in the
rural community of Birds Landing. Test your shooting ability
on up to 20 clays stations as well as 5-stand. Instructors
available. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
Information: (707) 374-5092.