Sacramento River

The Basics

Year-round activities are ripe for the picking on the Sacramento, though the deep-water delta near the San Francisco Bay particularly comes alive in warmer months when East Bay residents pick up wakeboarding, boating, and sailing.

Get up close and personal on your next visit to the capital—book a historic river cruise that passes by notable Sacramento landmarks, such as the Tower Bridge and Air Force Docks. You can also appreciate the river’s bounty from afar with a San Francisco sightseeing flex pass, which allows you to design an itinerary based on your own interests, at your own pace. Choose up to six attractions to be scheduled during a 30-day period; attractions include a cocktail cruise where the Sacramento meets the Bay, a behind-the-scenes tour at the San Francisco Giants’ Oracle Park, or entry to the star-studded Madame Tussauds San Francisco.

Things to Know Before You Go

• No matter the season, Sacramento offers activities between Northern California and the Bay; river and dinner cruises are popular during chillier months, while water sports make a splash in warmer months.
• Stop by the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Butte County for maps, special programs, and exhibits. Loan a pair of binoculars or a field guide to enhance your visit.
• Wildlife is abundant near the Sacramento River; common sightings include otters, mountain lions, western pond turtles, and great blue herons. Though wildlife makes for incredible photographic opportunities, you should use caution when exploring the area.

How to Get There

The river runs about 10 miles east of Interstate 5 most of the way from Redding to the San Francisco Bay, crossing through the heart of California’s capital along the way. Drop into a major city for a guided tour on the river, or drive yourself to any point along the 445-mile stretch to create your own adventure.

When to Get There

There isn’t a bad time to visit the Sacramento River, though certain activities are best suited for different seasons. Thanks to California’s relatively moderate climate, strolling the banks, river cruises, and lavish dinners on Sacramento’s permanently docked Delta King Riverboat are always in season; if you’re looking for fun on the water, summer and fall is your best bet.

Life in the Sacramento River Basin

As the largest river and watershed system in California, the Sacramento River—also fed by the Pit, Feather, and American Rivers—carries more than 30% of the state’s total surface runoff. It provides drinking water throughout northern and southern California, and is essential for agriculture in the Sacramento Valley; rice, fruits, and olives are prime beneficiaries. Along its banks, wetlands and woodlands are home to a multitude of plant and wildlife species, notably the Chinook salmon.

What is the Sacramento River known for?

The Sacramento River is known for being the largest river in California. An important freshwater source, it feeds some of the Golden State’s most fertile agricultural areas. The river was also famous for playing a role in the 19th-century California gold rush and is a scenic feature of Northern California.

Where does the Sacramento River start and finish?

The Sacramento River’s source is in the Klamath Mountains of Northern California, near the storied Mt. Shasta (one of the state’s tallest mountains). From there, it extends for 384 miles (618 kilometers) before emptying into the San Francisco Bay. En route, it flows between the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges.

Is the Sacramento River connected to the ocean?

Not technically, but almost. The endpoint of the Sacramento River is the San Francisco Bay, an iconic body of water that is one of the most notable features of the California coast. Nearly landlocked—and technically a drowned river valley—the bay connects to the Pacific Ocean via a narrow strait.

Why is the Sacramento River called the Sacramento River?

The Sacramento River was given its current name in 1808 by Spaniard Gabriel Moraga, one of the first Europeans to visit California’s Central Valley. Sacramento, which translates to “sacrament” in Spanish, is a religious name that refers to the Eucharist, or the Christian Holy Communion service.

Is the Sacramento River clean to swim in?

In a word, no. The Sacramento River is often a dangerous river to swim in, thanks to its cold water and fast-moving currents. The river also wends its way through some of the most productive agricultural regions in the country, and the water can include toxic runoff and dangerous bacteria.

How deep is the Sacramento River?

For such a busy waterway and agricultural channel, the Sacramento River is not especially deep. In the river's northern stretches—including between Colusa, California, and the city of Sacramento—its depths are an average of 6 feet (1.8 meters). Below Sacramento, the river is around 10 feet (3 meters) deep.