Boating in the California Delta Near Orwood
There are some 1000 miles of navigable waterways in the California Delta labyrinth, an area rich in history--from the era of the Lauritzen Indians, through the Spanish settlement, to the gold rush, the creation of the levees, the golden age of steamboat travel from Sacramento to San Francisco, and to its current popularity as a destination for camping, fishing and boating.
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Location
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The Orwood Resort is a campground and marina located in the town of Brentwood, 60 miles east of San Francisco in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. It has been offering a family-friendly resort environment for 50 years and is easily accessible by car and RV approximately 1/4 mile off the Orwood Road, a few miles outside of Discovery Bay.
Amenities
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There are hookups for water and electricity for RVs within the campground, hookups providing water only, and boat storage and 35 wet berths of up to 23 feet at Orwood. The marina's triple-wide launch ramps help minimize wait time for transferring boats to and from trailers, and there is an on-site fuel dock. Other facilities include a general store, a restaurant, restrooms, showers, a private sandy beach and a dump station.
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Activities
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The nearby Woodward Canal provides five miles of flat, calm water for boating. There are excursions available in the area if you want to abandon your boat for the day, including riverboat cruises, helicopter tours and driving trips, but most people prefer to stay on their boat and mess about in the waters of Orwood. There are good conditions for fishing, with plenty of catfish and striped bass, and water-skiing is available in Victoria Canal.
When to Go
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The Delta at Orwood is safe for boating year-round, with minimum impact from the occasional drought, although the effect of flooding can be more serious. Weather reports are updated frequently on californiadelta.org. The high season is April through October, and even the hottest September days cool down to a pleasant evening temperature. Fog can be present on the Delta beginning in October, but usually burns off by mid-morning.
Local Attractions
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Although Brentwood and Discovery Bay are quiet communities, where relaxation is key, there is a boat show every May in Discovery Bay, and Brentwood holds an annual CornFest as well as an Extreme Water and Air Show in September. Every Tuesday from April to October, Orwood hosts Taco Tuesday, featuring car shows, karaoke and live bands. If you choose to explore further, the California Delta has a wide variety of events and attractions year-round with updated information posted regularly on californiadelta.org.
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