From the California Coastal Trail to the Bay Area Ridge Trail, California is developing some fantastic (and ambitious) trail projects to improve connectivity throughout the state.
One of the Bay Area’s lesser-known trail projects is the Great California Delta Trail, a regional trail network that could connect Sacramento with the San Francisco Bay, winding through the rivers, wetlands, levees, farms, and small towns of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta.
The project is still in early stages, currently comprising a collection of multi-use trails and water routes across five Delta counties. The newest major proposed link is the Clarksburg Branch Line Trail Extension, which would create a new connection for cyclists and pedestrians from West Sacramento to the tiny wine-country community of Clarksburg.
Here’s a closer look…
A future 6.4-mile ride from West Sacramento to Clarksburg
The proposed Clarksburg Branch Line Trail Extension would create 6.4 miles of paved, car-free trail between West Sacramento and Clarksburg, largely following a former corridor of the Sacramento Northern Railroad.
The route would connect the existing trail section in West Sacramento with the Delta’s rural backroads, vineyards, and tasting rooms, designed for non-motorized travel like walking, running, and cycling.
Currently, the Clarksburg extension is still in the design phase through the end of the year, with no further timeline yet announced.
The larger Great California Delta Trail vision
The Great California Delta Trail is envisioned as a continuous recreation corridor traversing Contra Costa, Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, and San Joaquin counties.
The current designated network includes the following five segments, which offer a mix of waterfront promenades and open-space routes:
West Sacramento River Walk (2.9 miles)
Sacramento River Parkway (9.5 miles)
Clarksburg Branch Line Trail (8.6 miles)
Big Break (9.1 miles) and Marsh Creek Trail (14.9 miles)
Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail (50 miles)
Over time, the bigger goal is to connect these pieces together using additional land trail segments and water segments, eventually creating a new way to experience the Delta without a car.
Learn more: Great California Delta Trail / State of California Delta Protection Commission