News and articles about Delta recreation and Snug Harbor

NEWS! Snug Harbor and general Delta Recreation News over the last 10+ years...the fun stuff! The California Delta is a destination recreation area of California and has been since the 1850's. However, news media since 2005 has focused on the "water issues", not the fact there are over 130 marinas and RV parks, at least 50 public boat launches, over 300 unique restaurants to boat to, not to mention over 700 miles of rivers or "sloughs" to wander and enjoy the peace found only in California's Delta region. This page gives summaries and links to some of the past articles and latest happenings around us at Snug Harbor:
back to NEWS page Leasesholder news

5-19-2012	The San Francisco Chronicle did a nice short article about all the fun things there are to do in Delta less than 90 minutes away from the center of SF (non-traffic time). And the Delta area is being added to the Bay Trail with what is called the Great Delta Trail. In the 1890's biking in the Delta was a special experience (yes, I do mean 1890's) and there were biking maps that included riding across the "Ashley" Ferry from Rio Vista over to Ryer Island. The ferry names have changed but the ride around Ryer Island has not. Ryer Island will be part of the Great Delta Trail, based on the draft documents! Watch for the Great Delta Trail Map to be posted at our gate to help riders stopping by for a cold bottle of water or a snack as they expore the North Delta! Click on the maps to the right for the details and links:
5-19-2012	Congratulations to Kelly, who worked here several summers ago. Kelly graduates this week end from Sac State with a BS in speech therapy and she hopes to work with special needs kids. Kelly update! Kelly was picked as one of only 2 Americans selected to teach the royal childred in Bangcoc Thialand starting June 2012 for a year! What a great opportunity for Kelly and we're proud of her!
5-16-2011	Advisory to our neighhors and anyone visiting Snug Harbor this week: we're smoothing out the road bumps and fixing the edge of the road where the excess flow on Steamboat Slough washed away part of the bank. So note there might be short delays while equipment is on the road doing the repairs. DETAILS	The guys did a great job!
5-5-2011	Per state codes for RV/mobilehome parks, we prepared an "Emergency Preparedness Plan" that covers possible emergencies that could happen in this area. Copies are being mailed to all leaseholders and copies will also be available at the office notice board and at the north and south bathrooms. You can also click on the link to the right and print out a copy.	SHRemergencyplan2011-final.pdf 2011-emergency-notice5-5-2011.pdf
4/5/2011	So far, so good. The gravel sandbags protecting the road are doing their job. Sticks and shrubs that floated onsite in some of the lower-lieing RV sites have been cleared, leaving VERY green grass. Very pretty out!
	3-28-2011 So far, so good. The sun is shining with high puffy clouds this afternoon and the puddles are drying out. Snug Harbor Drive is REALLY bumpy so we will be doing road upgrades as soon as we're sure the rains have stopped for the season, or close to it. If coming out to Snug Harbor please drive very carefully along Snug Harbor Drive, especially at the "curve" at the north end of the road! 3-24-2011 So far the sandbagging of the road at the north end of Snug Harbor Drive seems to have worked OK for the time being. Lots of water flowing and coming down! Farmer's Almanac said we'd have a wet March and perhaps more rain early April. Those guys/gals who write for Farmer's Almanac are gooooood! 3-20-2011 During the day the tides were lower but in the middle of the night water came onto the island from our neighbors' properties which are lower elevation than the resort property, except for the launch ramp and beach area. Vicki says she expects to see more water onsite the 21st and 22nd at the night time high tide, given how many other places along the Sacramento River are at monitoring stage. Road repair holding up well.
3-19-2011	Starting in January of this year, at times the waterflow on Steamboat Slough seemed pretty fast, and there has been an unfortunate effect on the north end of Snug Harbor Drive: the road has washed away to the edge of the pavement along the "curve". On 3-19-2011 a sink hole developed, which may have been caused by a beaver starting a den under the road. Thanks to some great local construction/maintenance guys, the road was inspected and repaired by the end of the day. Once the rainy season stops, we'll have to look for more long term solutions to protect the road. Please do use caution when driving on the northern section of Snug Harbor Drive as its more narrow now!
1/5/2011	Article in the Sacramento Bee about the new ferry arriving in the Bay Area.	http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/06/3304135/new-ferry-to-start-service-in.html
CalTrans December 2010	We've received photos and the estimated time frame for the replacement of the original Real McCoy Ferry with a new, larger ferry dubbed the "Real McCoy II". The photos to the right show the new ferry that was built in Washington and was loaded onto a barge for transport down to California (second photo). The ferry captains and deck hands will all have to be trained on handling the new ferry once it clears the local Coast Guard inspections and testing. This ferry is supposed to be designed to take "legal loads" meaning larger and heavier CalTrans trucks, RV's, buses will be able to come across the Cache Slough/Sacramento Ship Channel to Ryer Island, instead of driving around to the bridge at the north end of Ryer Island. That should be good news to all the farmers of Ryer Island, and to the RV families who come to Snug Harbor from the North Bay area!
March 2010	Spring has sprung and the national media is out in full force. Staff were told by visitors that Snug Harbor was in a recent Hue Hawser Delta focus, but we have not seen it yet.	March 2010
National Weather Service	1-29-2010: All is fine here. The water is moving swiftly but is not to high so far. The huge winds of last week did take out our large tent area canvas roof, which was probably due for replacement anyway! With all this rain, all the SoCal reservoirs now full, NorCal reservoirs at 80% to 100% capacity, today the SacBee headlines are about the "continuing drought" in California. Ironic, isn't it? 1-15-2010: Snug Harbor office received a call from the US Coast Guard that it appears there could be substantial rain runoff flowing through the Delta in the next few weeks. We also received notice that the Delta Cross Channel will be closed so that salmon and other fish traveling on the Sacramento River will not enter through the DCC to reach the Mokelumne River and central Delta area. That way, the fish have a higher likelihood of survival if kept away from the suction pumps needed to send the water to Central Valley farmers on the West side, and to other areas of California's naturally arid lands. When the DCC gates are closed there is higher water flow on the Sacramento River and Steamboat Slough.	1-29-2010 view of the launch ramp showing high tide
Video online 10-15-09	Our own video objecting to the current plan to take more water out of the Delta, based on the current process and data available. Just not enough FACTS are known and even more important, the Delta landowners and citizens have been excluded from having a say in the planning process. Click to watch video... (Lots of the video was done at Snug Harbor since we paid for the video)
Examiner	Examiner writer talks about his favorite beaches to boat to in the Delta. He mentions a favorite private park and beach...Snug Harbor! http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7657-SF-Boating-Examiner~y2009m5d6-Favorite-beaches-in-the-Sacramento-Delta	May 2009
	FINALLY!!! Last week we finally received our permit for the wheel chair access ramp for the new office & store building. The construction work on the ramp started 2-28-09 and we hope to have it completed by the end of April 2009. We are TENTATIVELY scheduling an open house for Snug Harbor leaseholders and neighbors for a week end in May.	5/1/09
CAL-AVRC	The California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (renamed CAL-AVRC) selected a photo of waterfront RV sites at Snug Harbor as their 2009 cover photo! We submitted several photos and were excited to find out we made the cover! Our leaseholders will recognize the regulars in the photo, enjoying a summer flotilla chat off RV sites 20 and 21. http://www.rvandcampoutwest.com/default.asp?file=Portal_Consumer_Directory&state=CA	January 2009
Bay Area News Group	Article about the Delta with a focus on the two ferries to Ryer Island. Nice little sidebar on Snug Harbor and the community of Ryer Island	7/30/09
CalTrans & misc commercial newspapers	UPdate: Ferry due back in service by February 22, 2009 accourding to CalTrans! The Ryer Island ferry is undergoing a major upgrade...two engines, new paint job, reinforced hull, etc. CalTrans sent out notices the ferry will be taken down for a month starting January 12, 2009 in the afternoon. After the Ryer Island Ferry is back up and running, they plan to take down the J-Mac for reconstruction and repairs. Then once both are back up, there are CalTrans plans to do some major repairs to a portion of Hwy. 84 on Ryer Island north of the ferry landing, south of the Miner's Slough bridge, west side of the island. It should not affect traffic to/from Snug Harbor....Caltrans Updates http://www.sacbee.com/latest/story/1638661.html	2-21-09 Real McCoy scheduled to go back in operation 2-22-09 by late afternoon! See CalTrans Updates page
TV Radio Internet Newspapers	The Delta has been primary news fodder for the last few years as the various government agencies determine the best way to take more water out of the Delta without killing more fish or ruining more delta farmland. At least that is what the documents say is the goal, in a nutshell. Summary: The Peripheral Canal Plan that was voted down by the people of California many years ago has resurfaced with a new name: "Dual Conveyance Plan". It is unclear how all of this will affect Delta boating, fishing and recreation but its time topay attention! Below are just a few links to interesting documents. http://deltavision.ca.gov/BlueRibbonTaskForce/April2008/Handouts/Item_5d.pdf http://www.socalwater.org/download/012508_QrtlyMtg_Minutes.pdf http://baydeltaoffice.water.ca.gov/ndelta/summaryreport/index.cfm	2007 and 2008
August 2008	Congratulations to Brad Walker who broke the American Pole Vault Record while qualifying for the Summer Olympics! Brad and Carly stayed with us here at the resort while training for the Olympics this past winter. http://www.sacbee.com/395/story/998782.html	August 2008
Contra Costa Times	Great articles about the delta and one about staying at Snug Harbor's resort: http://www.contracostatimes.com/travel/ci_9663012?source=email http://www.contracostatimes.com/travel/ci_9663000?source=email	June 22, 2008
Sacramento Bee	The Sacramento Bee had a nice article about the J-Mac Ferry and bird watching in this area. Nice photos too! http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/954832.html	May 21, 2008
The Oregonian	Photographer/writer for the Oregonian stays at Snug Harbor to use as base station for an article on the California Delta's salmon and how it affects Oregon http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/12084999086460.xml&coll=7	April 2008
Sunset Magazine	This article is about wine tasting in Clarksburg near Snug Harbor, in case we have some visitors who want to sample the delta wines... http://www.sunset.com/sunset/travel/article/0,20633,1181934,00.html	April 2008
Movie	A movie crew use the resort grounds for the set of an independent movie called "Has Been". They reconfigured an area by our point to look like an old Boy Scout camp in Wyoming, so they say. It is a comedy that should come out this year. Movie information online Ask at the office if you want to borrow our DVD of the movie!	April 2008
Snug Harbor's own newsletter	Semi-annual newsletter updating interested folks on what is going on at the resort and around the delta region Printed on legal size paper: Images2008/nl-2008-1.pdf	March 2008
River News Herald	Article about movie "Has Been" filmed at Snug Harbor resort grounds, using part of our junk pile to portray an old Boy Scout camp in Montana. PDF of article Movie information online	March 19, 2008
	Did you know Olympic Athletes train in the Delta? Several stayed at Snug Harbor in December while training at TigerBar Sports nearby. Brad Walker is currently #1 for the US team and seems to be well on his way to an Olympic 2008 medal. We're getting a big screen TV for the new office so we can all cheer him on!	December 2007
Prosper Magazine Sacramento	Prosper Magazine December 2007 article about the J-Mac and its now famous driver also had a quote from Vicki, resort manager. http://www.prospermag.com/photo/280-2144	12/2007
Northern California Camping	Snug Harbor Resort was listed as "Best for Fishing" and "Best for Waterskiing" in the just-published book Northern California Camping by Tom Stienstra! Copy at the office for viewing.	Fall 2007
Sacramento Bee	Front page article about the Real McCoy Ferry, due to be replaced in the next few years, with a bigger, longer version of the same. http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/381456.html	9/16/07
all	Most media sources in the US covered the whales visiting the Delta. The mom and baby whale hung around for about 3 weeks, swimming between the Rio Vista Bridge and Sacramento, often causing long delays at the Rio Vista Ferry ramp. There were hundreds of media types on Ryer Island daily for a while there! The whales were dubbed "Delta and Dawn"	Spring 2007
Outdoor Life Network	RVToday TV Show hosted by Stew Olson focuses on travel in the Delta and features staying at Snug Harbor, using the ferrys to Ryer Island, and dinning suggestions for the Historic Delta Region	Sept. 3, 2006. For schedule: http://rvtoday.tv
Tom Stienstra article in San Francisco Chronicle	Article about recent changes in progress with DFG. Summary comments by Mr. Stienstra on other fishing or camping subjects includes a statement to the effect that Delta area parks "like Snug Harbor" should be listed as a "Top 10" in the US. Thanks for the compliment Mr. Stienstra! http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/07/02/SPG91JNSS71.DTL&hw=snug+harbor&sn=001&sc=1000	July 2, 2006
Allentown; Good Day Sacramento on UPN31	Mark S. Allen comes for a surprise visit to Snug Harbor on a Monday morning, using the J-Mac ferry to get here. He seems to think we're a town...but we were happy to have him visit and hope he comes back to see what the RV lifestyle and Snug Harbor are really about. http://cbs13.com/video?cid=15	June 5, 2006
Good Day Sacramento on UPN31 (CBS)	News feature about "Delta Seaplane Tours", a new service in the delta region for sight seeing from a birds' eye view. Filmed from Snug Harbor docks.	May 16, 2006
RV Today TV	Stew Olsen from RV Today of the Outdoor Network TV visited Snug Harbor and the California Delta region the end of April 2006. *Show expected to air in June 2006	April 2006*
SacBee	Go to article	January 10, 2006
SacBee	http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/weather/story/14026156p-14858432c.html
KVIE, PBS Channel 6 out of Sacramento	TV show about the Historic Region of the Delta, including Snug Harbor, and the cities of Isleton, Rio Vista, Walnut Grove and Locke. Includes fishing tips from Snug Harbor patrons, info on the Snuggle Inns, etc. Photos are of Nicky with the Producer and KVIE cameraman, and Gene as he's catching a fish while the camera was rolling!!	Rerun of show July 2005! Feb, April and June 2002 and Oct. 27 &29, 2001 *"How to Fish" segment filmed at Snug Harbor featuring show Host and Snug Harbor patrons continues to rerun due to popular demand
Sunset Magazine	Great articles about riding the ferries of the West. "Shortest Ride" is the Real McCoy, also called the Rio Vista Ferry. Snug Harbor referenced http://www.sunset.com/sunset/travel/article/0,20633,1078479,00.html	August 2005
TV/News	Fox News piece on Water Safety, filmed along Snug Harbor, with Vicki Vann, manager included!	July 4, 2005
Online RV Park Review website	Snug Harbor got a nice review and a "thumbs up" from an anonymous visitor. Go to http://rvparkreviews.com/California.html and Snug Harbor is listed under the "Rio Vista" park reviews	March 2005
Book	"California Campgrounds" was republished by Tom Stieinstra and gives a great review of Snug Harbor!	2004
Book	"Delta Delectables and Delights" has been published by Vicki Vann, manager of Snug Harbor. Recipe book features creative cooking methods of fish commonly caught in the California Delta region. Book signed by author available at the Snug Harbor store, and other delta locations, and online. Contact vicki@snugharbor.net for more info.	July, 2004
SF Chronicle	"King of Swings" is a great article about the bridges of the delta. Really fun to read and gives the history of the place from a bridge view	July 4, 2004
SF Chronicle, SacBee, Valley Times, etc	June 2004: There are ongoing news articles about a fire at Bethel Island and a levee break in the south part of the delta region, near Stockton. We've received many calls from concerned customers. Snug Harbor is located in the historic region of the delta, near Rio Vista and Walnut Grove and Isleton. The events noted in the news do not have any effect on our area of the delta, rest assured! June 3 is the "published" date of the Jones Tract date. However, USBR documents show a June 1 date. dcc-jt-6-1-2004.pdf	June, 2004
Valley Times (Contra Costa area)	The Valley Times created a totally awesome pull-out section covering the whole delta region from Antioch to Stockton up to Sacramento. Snug Harbor was featured with a photo of Snuggle Inns and nice little write-up. The two ferrys to Ryer Island were also suggested as a fun day trim for Bay Area locals. Take a look at our copy in the office!	August 3, 2003
River News Herald	The River News Herald, a small local paper, did a front page article about Tim Allen visiting the delta and Snug Harbor.	July15, 2003
Nice Guy	Tim Allen, his friend Bret Gregory and their friends joined us for a peaceful delta summer week end. Mr. Allen was very gracious about all the requests for signatures and photos from staff and campers. One camper was very creative, getting Mr. Allen to sign his RV with a permanent marker! The group visited many places in the delta, joined in the Poker Run out of Tower Park, had Sunday Brunch at the Ryde Hotel... peace, beauty and fun. Isn't that what the delta's all about? Pictured are Snug Harbor staff with Mr. Allen and Mr. Gregory	July 11-13, 2003
LA Times	"No one's singing the blues in this laid-back delta" by Beverly Beyette, Times Staff Writer	Sunday, June 29, 2003
Modesto Bee	Another article by Janet Fullwood, shorter version of the SacBee article	June 2003
Sacramento Bee	Articles by Janet Fullwood about things to do and places to stay in the Delta...Snug Harbor included!	June 8, 2003
Sunset Magazine	Great little article about driving around the historic region of the delta	March 2003
San Francisco Chronicle	Article by Tom Steinstra in his outdoors section about the 10 best Northern California parks. Snug Harbor is the "best run private park by far" and features waterfront RV sites and cabins with docks	April 2003
Waterski Magazine	"West Coast's Epic Waterski"...article about boarding and waterski on the delta	January 2003
San Francisco Chronicle	Article by Tom Stienstra, his "Outdoors" section about the Delta in general, and the joys of houseboating. In "places to stay" section of article, Snug Harbor gets a direct web site link and newspaper coverage!! SF Chronicle Delta Article	Oct.24, 2002
California Tour & Travel Magazine	Cover feature article and photos on the delta, covering the Historic Region of the Delta, Bethel Island, and the "Scenic Loop" group. Awesome paintings by Delta Artist Mary Stanley showcased!	Summer 2002 Issue
Sacramento Bee Newspaper	Front Page article & follow-up article about Antique Airstream convention and open house held at Snug Harbor in April. Really fun photos of these reconditioned beauties! Antique cars, especially classic T-Birds on show Saturday afternoon	April 22-24, 2002
Sunset Magazine	Just a few pages about visiting the towns in the historic region of the delta...Walnut Grove, Rio Vista, Ryde, Locke and Isleton...all close to Snug Harbor!	Feb 2002 issue
KVIE, PBS Channel 6 out of Sacramento	TV show about the Historic Region of the Delta, including Snug Harbor, and the cities of Isleton, Rio Vista, Walnut Grove and Locke. Includes fishing tips from Snug Harbor patrons, info on the Snuggle Inns, etc. Photos are of Nicky with the Producer and KVIE cameraman, and Gene as he's catching a fish while the camera was rolling!!	Feb, April and June 2002 and Oct. 27 &29, 2001 *"How to Fish" segment filmed at Snug Harbor featuring show Host and Snug Harbor patrons continues to rerun due to popular demand
PassageMaker Magazine	Great 20-page feature article about the Historic Region of the Delta, including a large aerial Snug Harbor photo, and information about Rio Vista, Isleton, Ryde, Walnut Grove and Locke (no link available) Copy of article in Snug Harbor office, or buy the magazine at the office!	Nov/Dec 2001 issue
San Francisco Chronicle	Still our favorite one....Article by Tom Stienstra, his "Outdoors" section. "Delta island delivers the goods" is the title. Click on the link button to see scanned version of article or use link below to go to the Chronicle Online version:	Oct. 4, 2001
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/10/04/SP72126.DTL
San Jose Mercury	Article about the Delta, including photo of Snug Harbor as a great place to stay	June 24, 2001
Sorry, no free links available, as the SJ Mercury and CCTimes charges for viewing archived articles
http://www.sacbee.com/ourtown/discover/saccounty2001/p39.htm
Contra Costa Times	Same article about the Delta, including Snug Harbor info and photo	June 24, 2001

River News Herald	Article about Snug Harbor's award for "2001 Best Small Park" as awarded by the Calif. Travel Park Assoc. (no link available)	May, 2001
Bay Area Backroads	TV show about the Delta, including Snug Harbor and places to eat, things to do in the Delta	First shown Nov 18, 2000, many reruns since then! June 2002

RV Journal Article on the Delta	Article about the Historic Region of the Delta and use of RVs in the Delta	June, 2000

Sac Bee	Two-part feature series about the California Delta and houseboating, including Snug Harbor photos, places to go and things to see and eat in the area	Travel Section Feature
	http://www.sacbee.com/travel/shorttrips/delta1.html	June 11, 2000
	http://www.sacbee.com/travel/shorttrips/delta2.html	June 18, 2000

	Yachtsman Magazine article "Snug on Steamboat Slough" by Hal Schell	Winter, 1999