Discover Rio Vista

from Discover Solano Summer 2022

Discover Dixon

Water helped give life to this Solano County community and, in 1862, helped to destroy it.

That was when the Sacramento River rose and 12 feet of water covered Rio Vista.

The community was re-established on higher ground about 2 miles from its original location where the Cache Slough meets the Sacramento River.

A wharf was built and the first church, for Catholics, was erected 1862. A Congregational Church was also built the same year.

A salmon cannery was among businesses of the river town, which has seen rapid growth recently. Its population nearly doubled between 2000 and 2010 and California State Department of Finance projections foresee continued growth.

The Sacramento River often doubled in films as the Mississippi River – most notably playing a starring role in numerous Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn films dating back to the early 1900s. Dozens of other notable movies – from silent to talkies – brought in famous stars and directors such as William Desmond, John Ford, Cecil B. DeMille, Jackie Coogen and perhaps even John Wayne, when “The Big Trail” was filmed there in 1930.

Along with human visitors, wayward Humpback whales occasionally make their way to Rio Vista, attracting enough attention to gridlock the tiny hamlet. The most recent were in 2007 –a mother and calf named Delta and Dawn. Humphrey’s 1985 visit, however, is immortalized on a plaque at the foot of Main Street by City Hall.

The Chamber of Commerce likes to note that Joseph Strauss, architect of the Golden Gate Bridge, designed the community’s largest landmark, the Helen Madere Memorial Bridge, or the Rio Vista Bridge as its known, “situated on the historic Sacramento River with a silhouette of the rolling Montezuma Hills to the south.”

Madere was a former Rio Vista city councilwoman.

The business group also boasts how Rio Vista “still maintains an easy-going small-town attitude even though it is central to the two largest population centers in Northern California.” Moreover, the community is known to have some of the best sport fishing in the state and is host to the West Coast’s oldest striped bass derby each October – the Rio Vista Bass Derby and Festival.

The Rio Vista Airport on the outskirts of town makes flying in for a day of business, lunch or just to explore the area easily accessible. The community is also home to home to “world-class”

Visit Rio Vista! Gateway to the Delta

RioVision Art Gallery

116 Main Street 707-360-5244 https://riovisiongallery.com

Open Tuesday to Saturday 11-3

Sunday 12-4

Enjoy the Beautiful Promenade

707-469-3080 https://hogaugustbites.com

Taking sign-ups now online Keep up to date on our Facebook pages

Shade cover courtesy of RioVision

https://riovistavision.com

Percheron horses, buffalo and the only endive producer in the United States.

Whatever you’re looking for, you will find Rio Vista a friendly, fun place to visit, right in the heart of the California Delta.

Rio Vista is trying to stay ahead of the pace by upgrading the town’s infrastructure and modernizing downtown. The community is counting on its location to continue growth, as Rio Vista did during the days when being next to the Sacramento River allowed the town to capitalize on trade between San Francisco and Sacramento.

Now Fairfield and Lodi, each about 20 minutes away on Highway 12, are the larger nearby cities. Stockton and Sacramento are only half an hour away on nearby Interstate 5.

The town is home to a number of highly popular events in addition to the venerable Bass Derby and Festival. The city offers shopping downtown, several restaurants and the Rio Vista Museum where people can learn some Rio Vista and Delta history.

Nearly 6% of the city exists within neighboring waterways – and the community’s future may match its river past.

Spend the day, see some sights

FOSTER’S BIGHORN BAR

If you’re looking for big horns – literally – look no further than Foster’s Bighorn Bar in Rio Vista. Along with an extensive menu of barbecue, steak, seafood and a fully stocked bar, the restaurant boasts a private collection of more than 250 big-game hunting specimens from Africa and North America. The collection was put together by Bill Foster in the 1930s and ’40s. Several exotic and prized animals from his travels to Africa, Canada and Alaska hang on the wall, including heads of an African elephant and giraffe. Foster, a native of Hayward, was involved in bootlegging. Running from the law, he moved his wildlife collection to Rio Vista, where it has remained for more nearly 100 years. LOCATION: 143 Main St. Rio Vista MORE INFORMATION: 707-374-2511, www.fostersbighorn.com

SANDY BEACH

Located on the Sacramento River near Rio Vista, the half-mile-long Sandy Beach is a great Solano County location to cool off during the spring, summer and fall and enjoy some time outdoors throughout the year. It’s open the entire year and has a 24-hour boat launch, campsites and areas to picnic that include tables, barbecue pits, volleyball courts and a horseshoe pit. LOCATION: 2333 Beach Drive, Rio Vista MORE INFORMATION: 374-2097 (maps and reservation information available), https://www.solanocounty. com/depts/rm/countypark/sandybeach.asp.

RIO VISION GALLERY

Rio Vision Gallery offers art of the Delta region by local artists. The gallery features monthly artist receptions. LOCATION: 116 Main St., Rio Vista MORE INFORMATION: 707-360-5244, www.riovisiongallery.com

RIO VISTA MUSEUM

Step back into history when you enter the Rio Vista Museum. Local mementos from years gone by range among a wide array of artifacts – from photos and newspaper headlines to vehicles, farm equipment to clothing, books to kitchen items. Opened in 1975, it is in a converted blacksmith shop. Friendly and knowledgeable docents are available to answer any questions. LOCATION: 16 N. Front St., Rio Vista MORE INFORMATION: 707-374-5169, www.riovistamuseum.com

RIO VISTA CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Summer Market: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. second and fourth Sundays through August. Park Delta Bay, 922 W. Brannan Island Road, Isleton. Event includes arts and crafts, locally grown produce and fresh eggs, a children’s corner, barbecue, music and nonprofit displays. Info: https://deltabay.org/foundation/. Rockin’ the River Concerts: The Rockin’ the River concert series is sponsored by the Starlight Stage and Rio Vista Art & Music Center and includes free shows throughout the summer along the Sacramento River. The Starlight Stage is fully self-contained and includes a state-of-the-art digital sound reinforcement system and digital lighting to fulfill most technical rider requirements. The stage boasts a performance area or 40 feet by 16 feet. Upcoming shows are scheduled July 8, July 22, Aug. 12, Aug. 19, Sept. 2, Sept. 16 and Sept. 30. Info: Starlight Stage, 100 Main St., Rio Vista, https://www.starlightstageshows.com/. Hog August Bites: The downtown plays host to Hog August Bites from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 27. Highlights of the day’s event include the Chili Cookoff and the BBQ Ribs Cookoff, as well as live music, arts and crafts vendors, and a Car & Truck Show. Info: Downtown Rio Vista, 707-469-3080, www.hogaugustbites.com. 74th Annual Bass Derby & Festival: Thousands of anglers will descend on Solano County’s Delta community for the 74th Annual Bass Derby & Festival, scheduled Oct. 7-9. The Rio Vista Bass Festival is open to anyone who loves to fish. The Rio Vista Bass Festival offers everyone a chance to get in on the fun and offers a full midway with carnival rides, games, food, drinks and live entertainment. Derby and festival access and parking are free to the public. A community parade starts at noon Oct. 9. Info: Various locations, 707-374-2700, www.bassfestival.com.