Cruisin’ the
San Joaquin Waterway and Feelin’ the
Delta Breeze
By Lisa D. Smith

My Mom and I recently took a trip out to California’s Central Valley, in search of something new and interesting to feature in the magazine. We had heard about Delta River Cruise, a 149 passenger power catamaran that takes Stockton visitors out into the San Joaquin Delta Waterway, which connects the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. Now this was something that had to be on our itinerary!

Stockton’s Downtown Waterfront District was a pleasant surprise featuring a beautiful blend of new and historic landmark architecture, public art, restaurants, inviting plazas, manicured landscaping and fountains, and of course, the idyllic waterfront and marina. As it turns out, the Port of Stockton is the eastern most and largest inland seaport in the state. Situated at the head of a navigable channel, along several waterways, Stockton has been, and still is, a major shipping point for many of Northern California’s agricultural and manufactured products. Today, the access to the many waterways provides visitors and residents a plethora of water activities to enjoy – one being Delta River Cruises.

We met with owners Willie and Lorraine Feltus, and the rest of their crew – a real fun bunch of folk who just love cruising the delta, and sharing the experience with everyone. We sat up on the upper deck as we headed out of the marina, taking in the magnificent view of Stockton’s downtown waterfront, and sipping on a delicious blue margarita – one of their signature drinks. Ahh…now this is the life, just relaxing and taking in the scenery of boats, yachts, ships, luxury waterfront estates, hidden coves, trees, and water birds. We saw some of the best - and the worst - water skiers and jet skiers, and plenty of families and friends having a good time out on the delta. The Captain does a good job at explaining the colorful history of the region as you tour the channel, and he even let’s you get behind the wheel and steer awhile! Now some of us got a little hungry out on the river, and boy did they whip up some mighty fine food. Their Buffalo chicken wings are especially good!

The Delta Cruise does take out private charters. They are especially popular for special events including fundraising parties, wedding receptions, birthday and anniversary parties, reunions, and corporate parties. Besides being a great family outing, they also work with schools as a field trip destination, where they teach kids about boat safety, and the waterway’s ecology and history, all as part of their curriculum.

It was truly one of the most relaxing one and a half hours I have spent in a long time. We can hardly wait to go again – maybe this time we’ll join them on their cruises during Stockton’s famous Asparagus Festival in April.

To view our Delta Cruise Photo Tour, with music supplied by the Bayou Brothers,  click here.



To find out more about Delta River Cruise and their Private Charters, visit www.DeltaRiverCruise.com