Reserve Sites
Rush Ranch Open Space Preserve
Rush Ranch
Rush Ranch is part of the largest and most intact brackish tidal marsh system
in the entire San Francisco estuary, Suisun Marsh. The brackish tidal marsh at
this site is exceptionally rich in vegetation and wildlife and is surrounded by
undeveloped grasslands and other protected marshes. Visit Rush Ranch to
experience the estuary as it was when the Native Americans used it for food and
travel.
Location - northern margin of Suisun Marsh
Size - 2,070 acres (1,050 acres of brackish tidal wetlands (old high-elevation marsh), 940 acres of grassland, seasonal systems, springs and ponds, and an 80 acre managed wetland)
Acquisition - purchased in 1988 by the Solano Land Trust through funding provided by the California State Coastal Conservancy
Directions - From Interstate 80 in Solano County, take the CA 12 East Exit. Drive about 4 miles on CA 12, then turn right onto Grizzly Island Road. Follow Grizzly Island Road 2.5 miles south then turn right into the preserve.
Partners - Rush Ranch is managed by the Solano Land Trust. The Rush Ranch Educational Council offers docent-led education programs for school groups, activity days, and workshops at Rush Ranch.
Want to see what the weather is like at Rush Ranch?
China Camp State Park
View from Turtle Back Hill at China Camp
China Camp State Park is a rare undeveloped piece of land along San Francisco
Bay's urbanized shoreline that is a haven for wildlife and for people seeking
adventure or a scenic spot for a picnic. These marshes are also essential to
the restoration of the Bay's other wetlands: scientists use the marshes here as
the reference from which to judge the health of newly restored or created
marshes. Visit China Camp to see beautiful examples of a habitat that was
virtually eliminated around the Bay but that is now being slowly restored.
Location - Southwest shore of San Pablo Bay
Size - 1,640 acres including wetlands and surounding uplands
Acquisition - the site became part of the California State Park System in 1978
Directions - From Highway 101 in Marin County, take the North San Pedro Road exit. The park is about 5 miles east on N. San Pedro Road.
Partners - China Camp State Park manages the land and marsh.
Want to know the water temperature at China Camp?