Putah Creek, California is a Great Family Vacation Spot

Growing up in California was a wonderful time in my life. We moved from Massachusetts when I was just five years old and my first experience in California was camping on the beach in Long Beach, California. We did not have much money and my father was looking for work, so we ended up staying in our tent on the beach for 10 months, that is until my father got a job offer in San Jose, CA. We then moved into Cupertino, CA where my parents both worked for a government company. During my life in California we often took family trips to places like Redwood City, Santa Cruz, Capitola, Half Moon Bay, Lake Don Pedro, Lake Berryessa and Putah Creek and all over California, Oregon and Nevada; there are too many to count. Out of all of our family trips I looked forward to, our yearly return visit to Putah Creek because of its majestic beauty and serenity of the natural landscape and for the whitewater rafting.

Putah Creek is a popular destination, even to some celebrities such as John Fogerty from Credence Clearwater Revival. This band even wrote and recorded the song Green River in dedication to their favorite vacation spot.

Here at Putah Creek there is something for everyone to experience from fishing and hiking, camping, hunting, wild life tours, swimming, biking, boating, lodging, restaurants and much, much more. One can access the Wild Life Center off of HWY 128 on 640 acres of beautiful sloping hillsides just east of the Monticello Dam, be careful when parking, the parking is located just off the road in a very bad turn on the mountain side, use caution while crossing to the trail head to get to the Wild Life Center.

Lodging at Putah Creek

Nestled in the picturesque Arboretum on the far southwest perimeter of the UC Davis University campus at One Shields Ave in Davis California. Here you will find Putah Creek Lodge. The lodge itself is shaped like a hexagon and can accommodate up to 100 to 200 people depending on the event. Putah Creek Lodge has a specious lawn area that surrounds the lodge and hosts a variety of events like, ceremonies, picnics, and receptions that can accommodate just about any outdoor recreational activity. Other features at this lodge include a huge permanent barbecue pit available to the public with and outdoor amphitheater that seats 75. Visitors must supply all their own barbecue accessories and equipment.

Rafting, Kayaking and Paddling at Putah Creek

California Whitewater Rafting welcomes you to come visit and experience one of California's amazing rivers. This is accessible from Highway 29 to Lake Berryessa and is a 16-mile section that has been deemed a class IV-V by the American Whitewater Association. If you come to raft this section of the river, understand that the water activities on this 16-mile stretch are not for beginners. If you are an adrenaline junkie you will get the ride of your life! This stretch of the river is long enough to do some over night camping so bring your camping equipment, pull off the river, set up camp and enjoy one of California's beautiful sunsets while sitting on the banks of Putah Creek.

Camping at Putah Creek

The fee schedule is for all parks on or in the Lake Berryessa and Putah Creek region. Camping here at Putah Creek is wonderful and runs at a very reasonable rate of 20.00 per night. There is only one major rule here at any campground in California, that is due to the high fire danger and dry conditions campfires and charcoal grills are prohibited. Although, propane gas grills will be permitted. Amenities at all the sites include partial and full electric hook up, a full service marina, bathrooms with hot showers, picnic area, grocery store, bait and tackle, restaurant with bar and a small motel if you are not the outdoor type. Listed below are five of my favorite spots to camp on Putah Creek.

Putah Creek Park, located at 7600 Knoxville Rd. Napa, CA (707) 966-2116.

Pleasure Cove Resort, located at 6100 Highway 128 Napa, CA (707) 966-2172.

Spanish Flat Resort, located at 4290 Knoxville Rd. Napa, CA (707) 966-7700.

Steele Park Resort, located at 1605 Steele Canyon Rd Napa, CA (707) 966-2123.

Rancho Monticello Resort, located at 6590 Knoxville Rd. Napa, CA (707) 966-2188 for office and store is (707) 966-1611.

Fishing on Putah Creek

Putah Creek River is home to the largest natural fishery, with all the fish being native to this river. There are absolutely no outside fish planted in this these waters. The main fish that is sought out here is the rainbow trout; along with brook trout, germen brown trout and some steal head. This area is strictly a catch and release site and offenders will be persecuted to the fullest extent of the law. While fishing this river you can only use barb-less hooks so as not to hurt the fish during the release.

Putah Creek can be accessed through several towns and counties in California such as Winters, Napa, Vallejo, Cobb Mountain, Whispering Pines, Solano County, Yolo County and Napa county.

Right now you can get really cheap round trip tickets to California and experience one of the natural wonders of the "Sun-Shine State". Along with that the accommodations here are also reasonable for any budget. So gather up the whole family and come experience Northern California.

References for this article came from my own personal experiences and from www.urbanspoon.com and www.tripadvisor.com