Hotel at a Glance: The Ryde Hotel

The Ryde Hotel, built in 1927 at the height of the Prohibition era, has a long history of being a good time. This elegant art-deco-style hotel was reportedly a bordello in the past; it’s said that the bottom floor was a speakeasy serving bootleg whiskey and jazz tunes to a clientele ranging from American presidents to mobsters and Hollywood celebrities. There was even a trapdoor in the floor leading to the Sacramento River. Today, the Ryde remains a luxurious boutique hotel with posh rooms. 

• Have a beer or handcrafted cocktail at the art-deco bar upstairs.
• Cast a Line into the Sacramento river and go fishing on the private dock.
• Splash around in the large outdoor pool, or curl up in a deck chair with a book to get a tan.
• Stroll the landscaped grounds around the Ryde or walk to the private boat dock on the river.
• Saturday dinner: Have a lavish prix fixe meal at the Ryde—menu items include grilled new york steak, crème brûlée, and sautéed salmon.
• Go island hopping and visit some of the local wineries.

Walnut Grove, California: PIcturesque Town in the Delta

Established in 1850, Walnut Grove was one of the earliest settlements on the Sacramento River. What this small community lacks in nightlife and other big-city pursuits it makes up for in natural beauty. Walnut Grove is a green-and-lush wonderland in the California Delta, with rivers ribboning through it. The town boasts colorful sunsets, year-round warmth, and opportunities for boating, kayaking, and fishing.

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