At 120 acres, South Fork Preserve is the City’s largest open space area.  It features walking trails through riparian, upland, and grassland/oak savannah habitats along the South Fork of Putah Creek.  In 2021, the City completed more than $400,000 in much-needed public accessibility improvements at the preserve, including a new gravel trail that is accessible to people with disabilities, a short boardwalk and large creek overlook, new walking and seasonal trails through the preserve’s riparian habitat, 10 new interpretive panels, new trail signage, trail improvements, and natural seating areas. 

The improvements will allow people with disabilities to enjoy a large section of the preserve.  The gravel trail is built on “geocells” which hold the gravel and provide a firm and safe surface for wheelchairs.  The improvements also were needed to protect the preserve’s sensitive habitat and provide the public with more views of the creek.

The City purchased the preserve in 1993, when the land was still in row crops.  In 1999, the U.S Army Corps of Engineers planted thousands of native trees and shrubs to restore the land’s natural riparian, upland, and grassland/oak savannah habitats.  In 2017, the City bought 10 acres west of County Road 104 to expand the preserve.  The preserve is #9 and #13 on the map below.

The preserve is open seven days a week, from dawn to dusk. 

• Take a walk/hike/run through different habitats
• View birds and wildlife (salmon, water birds, deer, hawks)
• Learn about the area from the interpretive panels
• Meditate/commune with nature
• Take a docent-led tour offered by the Putah Creek Council
• Access nature if you are in a wheelchair

• No bikes
• No dogs
• No hunting
• No fishing
• No camping
• No fires
• No smoking
• No watercraft put-ins and/or take-outs
• No drones
• No horses

Take Mace Boulevard south until it turns into County Road 104.  Travel approximately 1.5 miles from the City limit (Montgomery Avenue).  The preserve will be on your left after you cross over the South Fork of Putah Creek.  There is a small gravel parking lot available.  Parking is also available along County Road 104.

     Some photos courtesy of Marc Hoshovsky.