WEEKEND TRIPS: PACIFIC FLYWAY

If you're a birder like I am, you'll consider this one of your most romantic weekend trips. You won't believe the sheer numbers of waterfowl to be seen in Northern California during the winter! And when thousands of them take to the sky en masse, it is a sight to behold, indeed!

WEEKEND TRIPS: PACIFIC FLYWAY

You are in for such a treat with this trip! Starting from Chico & traveling down Highway 99, you'll want to visit Gray Lodge Wildlife Area which is right outside of Gridley.

Some years, Gray Lodge is home to more wintering waterfowl than anywhere else along the Pacific Flyway! Enjoy the Wildlife Museum, the Self-guided Nature Trail, the Wildlife Observation Hides, the Auto Loop, & the Weekend Guided Public Walks that are offered during the winter months.

(CC) njhdiver

Take note, as you're traveling through this area, of one of the wonders of the Northern Sacramento Valley: Sutter Buttes. Don't worry - you can't miss it! (See Chico Day Trips: Sutter Buttes for directions if you'd like to take a closer look.

Delta King Paddleboat Hotel

Visit Discovery Park (confluence of the American & Sacramento Rivers - although it may be underwater during the winter months as it's part of the Sacramento area flood control system) & American River Parkway as you are entering the Sacramento area.

You might even elect to end your day in Sacramento, with perhaps a stay on the Delta King Riverboat & dinner at the Firehouse Restaurant in Old Sacramento.

(CC) Chuq Von Raspach

The Cosumnes River Preserve, outside of Galt, is next on the list of favorite winter stop-overs for our migratory feathered friends - especially the remarkable Great Sandhill Crane!

These birds can be 5 feet tall with an even larger wingspan. They travel in flocks, as do most migratory birds, and they are one of the noisiest birds on the planet.

If you hear what sounds like the amplified voices of a thousand hoarse bullfrogs, start looking around for Sandhill Cranes!

Need a break from birding? Continue on the road to Stockton & visit Stockton's historic & eclectic Miracle Mile for anything from a scones to shopping to sushi, or stroll along the scenic & lively downtown Stockton Waterfront Marina!

Tule Elk Bugling

Back on the road South, head on over to the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge outside of Los Banos in Merced County.

In addition to the migratory birds like geese, swans, ducks, Sandhill Cranes, & White Pelicans, you'll find a plethora of shorebirds such as ibis, long-billed curlews, plovers, & sandpipers.

And here's a nice little surprise: a thriving herd of Tule Elk resides year-round at SLNWR.

Ready for another birding break? Visit the Madera Wine Trail - another little surprise for you (who knew there was a wine trail in Madera?? - back when I lived in the Central Valley, the only grapes being grown were for raisins! Remember the old "I heard it on the Grapevine" commercials?).

But you're in for a nice treat nowadays, as you discover Madera's top-notch dessert wines & ports!

(CC) Don Solo

Last birding stop on our trip is the Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, which is located about 20 miles northeast of Fresno.

Every winter, Millerton is home to a good-sized population of Bald Eagles & in January & February the state park system runs boat tours of the reservoir which are guided & narrated by a naturalist.

It's a great way to wind up our birding trip - viewing and learning about the life-habits of the majestic American Bald Eagle!

Continue on into Fresno where you can spend the night (there's nothing spectacular about the accommodations in Fresno, but you'll get a good night's sleep at the Radisson Hotel Conference Center) before heading back North.

But do treat yourself to a fabulous dinner at Max's Bistro on Bullard Avenue. You'll enjoy excellent food, a varied wine list, and reasonable dinner prices.

I hope you've enjoyed our weekend trip along the Pacific Flyway! Please come back often as more Northern California Weekend Trips are coming soon.

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