About RIO VISTA, CA
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The City of Rio Vista is one of the fastest growing cities in Solano County and the California Delta. We are located 45miles NE of San Francisco, 35miles SW of Sacramento, and about halfway between the cities of Fairfield and Lodi on SR-12. Our largest landmark, the Rio Vista Bridge, is one of many drawbridges designed by Joseph Strauss, architect of the Golden Gate Bridge. Situated on the historic Sacramento River with a silhouette of the rolling Montezuma Hills to the south, Rio Vista and the surrounding Delta maintains a relaxed vacation-like atmosphere for everyone!
Rio Vista was founded originally in 1858 as Los Brazos Del Rio - "The arms of the river". In 1894 the City of Rio Vista incorporated. The city's location on the Sacramento River made it a natural river port for agriculture and general shipping. As a point of interest, it was a transfer station for the Pony Express changing from ship to horse.
During the mid-thirties, natural gas was discovered making the area the largest natural gas field west of the Rocky Mountains. Today the community's dependence on the natural gas industry has been greatly reduced due to the diminished gas field. Agriculture, manufacturing and tourism now play the important role of jobs and commerce to the city.
Rio Vista's history lesson: (La Vista del Rio) meaning "River View" became adopted around 1859. Rio Vista soon became a prosperous town providing services and agricultural supplies to travelers on one of the many Sacramento River steamships running between Sacramento and San Francisco. Despite that Goldrush fever was waning around the 1860's; miners, machinery and necessities still filled northbound steamships towards Sacramento. Although no gold was discovered in Rio Vista, the town provided one of the largest supplies of fresh fish and canned salmon to San Francisco and beyond.
Today, Rio Vista still maintains an easy going "small town" attitude even though it is central to the two largest population centers in Northern California. Our local merchants, restaurants, and community organizations provide something for everyone. Our recreation opportunities include everything to do with the 1,100 miles of waterways in the Delta. Windsurfing, water-skiing, jetskiing, sailboating, casual yacht cruising, or hanging out at the marina are in style around here. Fishing is always the top leisure time activity. Rio Vista is known to have some of the best sport fishing in the state. Come celebrate in October our fishing heritage at the largest Bass Festival/Derby in the West!
Learn more about this city
City of RIO VISTA, CA official site
City of RIO VISTA, CA chamber of commerce
City of RIO VISTA, CA general information
City of RIO VISTA, CA newspaper
County of SOLANO, CA official site
State of California official site