Sherman Island

A real treasure east of the Bay Area. This is a very windy spot on the Sacramento River that is well worth the drive. 

The "Delta breeze" blows very steadily here on most afternoons and many mornings from April to September. If you have a full-time job and need to sail after 5 PM, this is also a great spot for you, as some of the best wind of each day happens during the "executive session” hours. If you are a beginner seeking flatwater, you will find it here. 

There are a few different launch points along the river banks here. The main beach is very friendly for people who are learning. That area is called The Playpen. Sherman Lake is beloved by kitesurfers, especially those who prefer slightly smaller waves or flat water. And the main river is for intermediate and advanced sailors. The main river is quite deep, so very friendly for people who are using hydrofoils. 

If parking is unavailable in the park, go back out the way you came in and park about 100 yards away, inside the levee at "the pit." That parking area has its own launch as well. (This is not the best spot for beginners, because the river flows can be pretty strong here, making it hard for you to fight your way back to your starting point.)

Beware of the obstacle at the north end of The Playpen. It's an old masonry wall, and it is well marked.

One of the wonderful things about this spot is the tide flow. When the tide is going out, the waves kick up. When the tide is coming in, things go flat. You can polish your skills during the flood tides, then test yourself during the ebbs. 

The wind here tends to kick up big whenever there's a change in weather. Especially when things cool off. During heat waves, the place goes really soft and windless. Those are the days when you should head into the city and launch in the bay.