The San Francisco Bay is known for its abundance of natural beauty and that beauty includes its many habitats, wildlife, and natural landmarks. One of the most important wildlife areas in the Bay is the Suisun Marsh and what is known as the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area.
Part of Solano County, this wildlife area consists of three units: the Rush Ranch Unit, the Joice Island Unit, and the Bodega Bay Unit.
The area is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the preservation of its diverse wildlife and habitats and it’s a beautiful place to visit and see the diverse wildlife that call it home.
Whether you’re hiking through the Rush Ranch Unit, birdwatching in the Bodega Bay Unit, or kayaking in the Joice Island Unit, you’re sure to have a memorable experience.
At Embarc, we understand how important preserving our natural environment is. This is why we encourage you to get out and explore all that the Bay Area has to offer beyond its city streets.
Plus, staying active and appreciating nature is part of cultivating healthy lifestyle habits – and we’re all about the health and wellness of our community members and our natural environment.
WHAT IS THE GRIZZLY ISLAND WILDLIFE AREA?
The Grizzly Island Wildlife Area is home to a variety of animals, including many that are rare or endangered.
The area provides habitat for some native California species such as the salt marsh harvest mouse, western pond turtle, tiger salamander, and the San Francisco garter snake, to name a few.
In addition to the many native species that inhabit the area, it’s also an important stopover for migrating birds.
Why is the Suisun Marsh so important to the Bay Area’s natural habitats?
The Suisun Marsh is a large marsh area containing 88,000 acres of land and bays and sloughs, or swamps. It is the largest contiguous estuarine marsh in the United States. Known as “the place of the west wind,” the Patwin Indians gave it the name “Suisun” long ago.
The large marsh formed when the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers blended with ocean tides. Grizzly Island Wildlife Area is located in this vast wetland’s center, comprising roughly 12,000 acres.
During the 1850s, when the United States Congress transferred all marshes, sloughs, and swamps to the state of California so they could be drained for cultivation, the balance that the marsh maintained in the natural environment began to change.
Natural tidal rhythms were permanently disrupted by levees and dikes built to keep salt water from flowing onto cultivated land. Large sections of the region were divided into lots and marketed to private investors for agriculture.
The site’s two sets of marshes, both constructed and natural, combine to form a unique ecosystem that preserves coastal wetlands and its many inhabitants, but also maintains tidal cycles.
VISITING THE WILDLIFE AREA
Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, fishing, birdwatching, or simply just enjoy being in nature, there’s a lot to see and learn about here. Explore the winding waterways by kayak or stroll on the hard-packed path at Peytonia Slough. Get in touch with Mother Nature through her changing appearance as you witness the shifts in habitats.
All visitors must obtain a day use permit in the self-registration booth when you arrive at Grizzly Island. There is also an office that is open Monday-Fri, 9 am to 4 pm, with staff available to answer questions. It’s important to note that the park is only open from sunrise to sunset.
The area is closed to visitors from August to January for special hunting seasons. Only those with valid hunting permits are allowed to enter during these months.
From January through July, most visitors choose to go on a self-guided tour. You can find information about the tour at the area headquarters (where you sign in). The tour begins at the headquarters and continues for about eight miles along Grizzly Island Road, which is unpaved and runs through the middle of the wildlife area. Hiking trails are all along the levees.
Please note that heavy mud and deep water make cutting across fields dangerous, so stay on designated roads and pathways at all times.
It’s a gorgeous wildlife area, frequently photographed and visited by Bay Area locals and visitors from the world over. Especially if you want to learn more about San Francisco Bay’s ecosystems, it’s a must-visit.
EMBARC DISPENSARY FAIRFIELD
Located at 180 Serrano Drive in Fairfield, Embarc Dispensary is your go-to for top-quality cannabis brands from across the Golden State. If you’re in the North Bay looking for a dispensary near you, stop by our shop and browse our shelves, or stop by our flower bar and see and smell the flower yourself.
Our knowledgeable Guides will help you find the perfect cannabis products for your needs – whether you’re popping an edible while you’re solo forest bathing or sharing a preroll among friends.
