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The combined waters of fourteen tributaries of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers surge through the Carquinez Strait, past Benicia State Recreation Area, and west into San Pablo Bay on their way to the Pacific Ocean.
Over the past 150 years, these waters have carried silt and clay from the hydraulic gold mines and timber logging sites of the Sierra and deposited the particles where fresh water meets salt water at Southampton Bay. The mudflat and marsh make up most of the recreation area, providing habitat for some unusual and endangered species.
Benicia State Recreation Area covers 720 acres of marsh, grassy hillsides and rocky beaches along the narrowest portion of the Carquinez Strait. It is a day-use area that offers a quiet, breezy refuge from urban bustle and great views of the bay.
Cyclists, runners, walkers, equestrians, and roller skaters enjoy the park's 2 miles of road and bike paths. Picnicking, bird watching and fishing are also attractions.
The marshland area on Dillon's Point is a particularly favorite place for fishing.
Dogs must be on leashes at all times.
Park News Alert
Service Reductions are in place at this park.
Daily: 8am - Sunset
Nov. 2011: Monday & Tuesday: Closed to vehicle traffic
Beginning Dec.1, 2011: Monday,Tuesday & Wednesdays: Closed to vehicle traffic
Service Reductions are in place at this park.
Daily: 8am - Sunset
Nov. 2011: Monday & Tuesday: Closed to vehicle traffic
Beginning Dec.1, 2011: Monday,Tuesday & Wednesdays: Closed to vehicle traffic
Getting There
The park is located off Interstate Highway 780 less than two miles west of Benicia at the Rose Drive/State Park Road/Benicia SRA exit. Alternate less freeways route: exit I80 at Columbus Parkway, follow it to Rose Drive and turn right into the park.
Latitude/Longitude: 38.0780/ -122.1926
Parking fee is required. The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
The park is located off Interstate Highway 780 less than two miles west of Benicia at the Rose Drive/State Park Road/Benicia SRA exit. Alternate less freeways route: exit I80 at Columbus Parkway, follow it to Rose Drive and turn right into the park.
Latitude/Longitude: 38.0780/ -122.1926
Parking fee is required. The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
The climate is generally windy and cool year-round, with frequent fog. Temperatures range from 40 to 101 degrees, with average rainfall of 3 inches during winter months. The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
The climate is generally windy and cool year-round, with frequent fog. Temperatures range from 40 to 101 degrees, with average rainfall of 3 inches during winter months. The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
Operating Hours & Contact
Daily: 8am - Sunset
Nov. 2011: Monday & Tuesday: Closed to vehicle traffic
Beginning Dec.1, 2011: Monday,Tuesday & Wednesdays: Closed to vehicle traffic
Telephone: 707-648-1911
Daily: 8am - Sunset
Nov. 2011: Monday & Tuesday: Closed to vehicle traffic
Beginning Dec.1, 2011: Monday,Tuesday & Wednesdays: Closed to vehicle traffic
Telephone: 707-648-1911
Camping
Three "Enroute" campsites are available for an overnight stay on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations possible. This camping is limited to motor homes or vehicles with trailers, which must be fully self-contained. Tents are not permitted.
Three "Enroute" campsites are available for an overnight stay on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations possible. This camping is limited to motor homes or vehicles with trailers, which must be fully self-contained. Tents are not permitted.
Activities
Dogs and bicycles are allowed on the Benicia Bay Trail, part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. California State Parks built the Benicia Bay Trail in collaboration with the Bay Area Ridge Trail Coalition and the San Francisco Bay Trail Foundation.
The park has 2.25 miles of paved road and bike paths. The Hike and Bike Trail—two parallel, paved, accessible trails—begins at the Military West entrance and runs 0.75 miles to the main park entrance, joining Dillon Point Road for 1.5 miles.
Dillon Point offers prime shore fishing for sturgeon, starry flounder and striped bass. Anglers over age 16 must carry a valid California fishing license.
Dogs and bicycles are allowed on the Benicia Bay Trail, part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. California State Parks built the Benicia Bay Trail in collaboration with the Bay Area Ridge Trail Coalition and the San Francisco Bay Trail Foundation.
The park has 2.25 miles of paved road and bike paths. The Hike and Bike Trail—two parallel, paved, accessible trails—begins at the Military West entrance and runs 0.75 miles to the main park entrance, joining Dillon Point Road for 1.5 miles.
Dillon Point offers prime shore fishing for sturgeon, starry flounder and striped bass. Anglers over age 16 must carry a valid California fishing license.
Natural History
Geology and Habitat
Nearly 70 percent of the parkland is tidal marsh wetland, ringed by grassy hills and open water. The Southampton mudflat formed by upriver silt and clay deposits is over 1,000 feet thick. The principal habitats here are brackish marsh, saltwater marsh and freshwater marsh.
Plants and Wildlife
This rare and endangered wetland ecosystem is covered with marsh plants such as salt grass, pickleweed, coyote bush and soft bird’s-beak. Bird’s-beak is an endangered gray-green annual herb in the snapdragon family. Non-native trees provide light shade at the park entrance and picnic table areas. Native plant communities such as chaparral, valley grassland and coastal scrub bloom on the hillsides.
Native Plant Botanic Garden
The Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden represents over 250 species on 3.5 acres overlooking Southampton Bay. The garden pays tribute to the late Forrest Deaner, founder of the Willis Linn Jepson Chapter (Solano County) of the California Native Plant Society. In spring, colorful magenta redbuds, golden poppies, blue lupines and pink-flowered currants bloom. Summer and early fall deepen native plant foliage into russets and browns.
Several demonstration gardens—Memorial, Residential/Sensory, Native American, Butterfly/Hummingbird, Wildflower Meadow and Riparian—display flora varieties, each marked with different colored labels. The Botanic Garden is fully maintained by volunteers and funded through grants and individual donations. Click here for more information.
Wildlife
Endangered northern salt marsh harvest mice depend on the park’s pickleweed for its dense cover. Marsh erosion, predators and severe habitat loss have reduced this mouse population. Other park mammals include coyote, beaver, otter and muskrat.
Marine birds float lazily on thermal updrafts at this designated Important Bird Area, which provides essential habitat for bird species. Virginia rails, endangered California clapper rails and black rails hide in marsh vegetation. Visitors may see herons and egrets fishing or pelicans and terns diving. The marsh resounds with Suisun song sparrows and saltmarsh common yellowthroat. On their journey along the Pacific Flyway, many waterfowl winter in the park, such as Canada geese or canvasback and goldeneye ducks.
Geology and Habitat
Nearly 70 percent of the parkland is tidal marsh wetland, ringed by grassy hills and open water. The Southampton mudflat formed by upriver silt and clay deposits is over 1,000 feet thick. The principal habitats here are brackish marsh, saltwater marsh and freshwater marsh.
Plants and Wildlife
This rare and endangered wetland ecosystem is covered with marsh plants such as salt grass, pickleweed, coyote bush and soft bird’s-beak. Bird’s-beak is an endangered gray-green annual herb in the snapdragon family. Non-native trees provide light shade at the park entrance and picnic table areas. Native plant communities such as chaparral, valley grassland and coastal scrub bloom on the hillsides.
Native Plant Botanic Garden
The Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden represents over 250 species on 3.5 acres overlooking Southampton Bay. The garden pays tribute to the late Forrest Deaner, founder of the Willis Linn Jepson Chapter (Solano County) of the California Native Plant Society. In spring, colorful magenta redbuds, golden poppies, blue lupines and pink-flowered currants bloom. Summer and early fall deepen native plant foliage into russets and browns.
Several demonstration gardens—Memorial, Residential/Sensory, Native American, Butterfly/Hummingbird, Wildflower Meadow and Riparian—display flora varieties, each marked with different colored labels. The Botanic Garden is fully maintained by volunteers and funded through grants and individual donations. Click here for more information.
Wildlife
Endangered northern salt marsh harvest mice depend on the park’s pickleweed for its dense cover. Marsh erosion, predators and severe habitat loss have reduced this mouse population. Other park mammals include coyote, beaver, otter and muskrat.
Marine birds float lazily on thermal updrafts at this designated Important Bird Area, which provides essential habitat for bird species. Virginia rails, endangered California clapper rails and black rails hide in marsh vegetation. Visitors may see herons and egrets fishing or pelicans and terns diving. The marsh resounds with Suisun song sparrows and saltmarsh common yellowthroat. On their journey along the Pacific Flyway, many waterfowl winter in the park, such as Canada geese or canvasback and goldeneye ducks.
Accessible Features
Picnic Area
Benicia Bay Trailhead Picnic Area. Two accessible tables are in the first lot on the right beyond the entry lot, near the Deaner Memorial Garden. Accessible exhibits, and parking also available but at this time there are no accessible restrooms in this park. Some have grab bars, but stall space is limited.
Trails
The Hike and Bike Trail is a paved trail that is accessible for about 0.75 mile along wetlands adjoining the Carquinez Strait. Trailhead and accessible portable restroom and parking lot at the Military West exit off 780 just east of the Rose Drive exit to the main park entrance.
The Benicia Bay Trail is a 2.2 mile accessibly designed trail through softly rolling hills with great views of the bay. Trail has firm surface with most slopes under 5%. Four short sections of 8% slopes are followed by rest areas. Some accessible benches are located along the trail. Trailhead, accessible picnic tables, and accessible parking located off the first parking lot on right beyond the entry lot, just above the Deaner Garden. Trailhead parking is above the garden parking.
Be the first to add a trip in this destination!Picnic Area
Benicia Bay Trailhead Picnic Area. Two accessible tables are in the first lot on the right beyond the entry lot, near the Deaner Memorial Garden. Accessible exhibits, and parking also available but at this time there are no accessible restrooms in this park. Some have grab bars, but stall space is limited.
Trails
The Hike and Bike Trail is a paved trail that is accessible for about 0.75 mile along wetlands adjoining the Carquinez Strait. Trailhead and accessible portable restroom and parking lot at the Military West exit off 780 just east of the Rose Drive exit to the main park entrance.
The Benicia Bay Trail is a 2.2 mile accessibly designed trail through softly rolling hills with great views of the bay. Trail has firm surface with most slopes under 5%. Four short sections of 8% slopes are followed by rest areas. Some accessible benches are located along the trail. Trailhead, accessible picnic tables, and accessible parking located off the first parking lot on right beyond the entry lot, just above the Deaner Garden. Trailhead parking is above the garden parking.
Nearby Community Trips
One steep incline up a hill. Otherwise relatively flat.
