I really enjoy spending time at the Yolo Wildlife Area. It's a great spot to walk around, clear your head, and catch a sunrise or sunset. The open space and wetlands make it feel peaceful, and there's almost always some kind of wildlife to see. One of the coolest things is watching the bats fly out from under the causeway at dusk. It's such a simple but unforgettable experience. If you go during certain times of the year, you can also do guided wildlife talks and tours with the Yolo Basin Foundation, where you drive out in a caravan with walkie talkies throughout the wildlife area and share a lot of interesting information about the ecosystem. It adds a lot of context to what you're seeing. Even if you're not doing a tour, you can still go to the main entrance and explore on your own. It's just an all-around solid local spot to enjoy nature and slow down for a bit. Highly recommend :) read more

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area - Hiking Near Me - Davis, California

This wildlife area is right off the highway and has a decent length dirt wildlife road to check out the property. Lots of birds around, so bring binoculars and a scope if you have them. You do have to put up with some noise from the highway, but it's worth it if you're looking for birds like I was. I didn't see any visitor center or information signage around the property, but I may have missed some. read more

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This is a great place to visit to see the various ducks/geese migrating around November through winter. I am avid duck hunter and have hunted at this refuge many times. They've got a large no hunt zone for people to come visit and also a regulated hunting area. The team does well in managing the land to maintain a habitat for the wildlife. read more

Cool that there are so many birds and it's easy to find. It's not so cool the freeway is right there behind you ruining any sense of nature. Glad I stopped as I have driven by the spot for years, but one visit is enough. read more

When you exit to visit the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area go left when you drive up the small incline and follow the road and get your camera ready. It is peaceful here. This area has hunting section and people monitoring, so bring your hunting license. Great photo opportunities. Just be courteous of other people driving through and pack your trash with you after your picnic. Yes, there are bathrooms, so help keep it clean when you use it. Enjoy your day. read more

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Great place to see some bird and catch a sunset. There are roads to drive around and explore and if you stay till dark you can see and hear the bats come out from under the bridge. read more

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area - Sunset in Oct - Hiking Near Me - Davis, California

Beautiful peaceful drive! There is a bat adventure for a really small fee. The auto tour is free. The best sunsets in Sacramento

I used to really enjoy this place but the it's been ruined by hunters. The last time I went was, unbeknownst to me, during hunting season. Tons of speeding 4wd (with rifles in gun racks) kicking up dust and honking at anyone who dared slow them down. Just extremely rude and dangerous behavior. Unfortunately, the state website doesn't explain, for nonhunters, when hunting season is. So, rather than risk it I'll go elsewhere and not support the CDFW or the hunting community. read more

A nice place to walk around and bird watch. Easy access, free entry, plenty of parking, the occasional picnic bench and outhouse, and easy foot paths for exploring. Immerse yourself in nature while getting a beautiful view of the Sacramento city skyline. read more

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area - Bird watching - Hiking Near Me - Davis, California

This place is really cool! Its filled with lots of different species of birds and in the morning hours when i went, all were very active! There is a graveled road all the way around the loop so you cant get lost! You are also avle to take the tour in your car! Pretty cool! There are no inclines, all straight, totally easy and kid friendly! Unfortunately I don't believe dogs are allowed or if so I know they have to be on a leash but double-check that, we didn't see any! There is a short cut only hikers/strollers can take and it puts you right along the waters edge and cuts off about a half of mile or so... I wanted somewhere local since they said it was going to rain, and this place was right on time! Its a nice place to just stroll, or bird watch, or you can push it, like we did and complete the 2miles like it was nada! read more

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area - Here we go...its the home of different kinds of Shorebirds and one falcon! - Hiking Near Me - Davis, California

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BEWARE!!!!!! I love this place. I love running here. Just posted about how safe I thought it was. How naive. Today while I was running someone busted out my window, popped my trunk, took all my stuff along with my cards and ID, and went on a spending spree! Please be careful! If you do come here don't leave anything in your car. Or even in your trunk apparently. read more

So how many times have you driven to Tahoe and passed on the Yolo Causeway between Davis and Sacramento and not given this pretty reserve a second thought or even an extended look? For me, it took a recent Earthwatch Expedition at the nearby Consumnes River Preserve and the perspective of some knowledgeable UC Davis scientists to really catch my attention. The Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area is a large wetland restoration and wildlife habitat project constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and Ducks Unlimited within the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. The Yolo Causeway, part of Interstate 80, runs through it. The restoration was named for Congressman Vic Fazio, who lobbied for the project and was instrumental in appropriating funds for the initial construction. he facility is managed by the California Department of Fish and Game while the educational programs and public tours are administered by the Yolo Basin Foundation, which works to educate and inform. The floodplain that makes up the Yolo Bypass receives water from the Sacramento River and provides an Important Bird Area of the Pacific Flyway for a wide variety of waterfowl. Unless the area is impassable due to normal seasonal flooding, a dirt and gravel road is open to the public for driving and walking tours, and a docent-led tour is available. read more

Cars make good photo blinds, but sometimes you need to get out of the car. Unlike most of the state and federal wildlife areas in CA, where if you even crack your door you have violated some law, here you can get our of your car and even walk if you want. The ponds are close to the auto tour and it is easy to spot birds. I only saw a few as I cruised along the route midday, All the mitigatory birds were feeding someplace else. I did see them flying in when I was flying down the highway just before sunset. I would have enjoyed my visit more if the route was marked better. I did not see signs pointing the way out of the refuge. The storm clouds looked ominous; if it rained the roads would turn to mud and I would be stuck. Poor signage will not keep me from coming back. I want to see the bats, that hangout under the Yolo Causeway, fly out in mass at dusk in the summer when the dirt roads will be dry. Oh and wet roads or not I will come back soon to see the geese. read more

Ive driven by this place on I80 between Davis and West Sacramento for over 30 years without stopping. Ive always wondered what it was like. Wonder no more as Im now officially a fan after my first visit in November 2017. Whats great about this wildlife area is that there are well-maintained dirt and gravel roads that criss cross the area. The great majority of birds, ducks, plants and other wildlife can be viewed and photographed from inside your vehicle. I have personally photographed over 75 different species of wildlife without having to get out of my car. Of course its very helpful to have a long (500mm +) lens if youre using a 35mm camera. Ive seen ducks like the cinnamon teal, green winged teal, northern pintails, pelicans, hawks, egrets, herons, song birds and marsh birds and other wildlife like otters, turtles and frogs. Plan a visit soon. No admission charge and its open sunrise to sunset. Its regularly patrolled by Department of Fish and Game wardens. read more

Peaceful spot, but the mud really sticks to your shoes. The sun reflecting on te water around sunset makes for good shots. read more

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Looking for something to do on a sunny day and don't want to get dressed to be seen in public? Head to the water fowl refuge at the west end of the causeway. There is an "auto tour" road that you can take around a number of ponds. Currently there are a number of ducks enjoying whatever it is they enjoy eating. We saw two egrets and one blue heron, lots of seagulls, and the ducks. Word of warning, the road is dirt gravel and part of the roadway also goes to/from a hunting area. Those heading to the hunting area tend to drive fast and kick up a lot of dust. That's a problem if you have your windows down to see and hear the birds. read more

Went here for a guided field trip with my son's third grade class. Well presented information and arts/crafts. I don't think it would be quite as exciting on your own so go with a group as a field trip and enjoy. Lots of great native crafts from the Patwin peoples (thule bracelets and acorn grinding etc.). My son really loved learning about the wildlife and natural plants/trees. read more

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area - Great place to find out about California culture. - Hiking Near Me - Davis, California

Passed this on the Megabus. Driving through Davis on 80, always kind feels like coming home. Weird how three or four places can feel like home. read more

F dem peeps with picks of blasted animals. Straight up weak. Also your camo looks dumb basically right off the highway. Lame.

Hundreds of thousands of people cross the Yolo Bypass daily on I-80 between Davis and West Sacramento without thinking much about what lies below the causeway. At 70 mph, it must pass for most commuters like a blur of reeds and cattails, but when you drive over the west levee and into the bypass, it really is a lot more fascinating than you'd expect. As soon as you enter the wildlife area, a sign points to two choices: south to the Hunter Creek Station, or straight ahead for the "auto tour". So, if the only way you might enjoy nature is to NOT break a sweat while chilling in your climate-controlled automobile, viewing wildlife safely behind your windshield, RELAX...you needn't feel the least bit of shame to treat this beautiful piece of the great outdoors like a drive-thru (just don't litter!). In fact, it really is the only way since the place is too expansive to explore much by foot, and the three-panel kiosk has a notice posted which discourages bikes(?!?!). Once you're on the floor of the bypass, it's surprising how far below the I-80 roadway you are, and it's all the more mindboggling to imagine how much water is coursing through the entire bypass during those rare occasions when Sacramento River is threatening to approach historic flood levels, and the excess flow is diverted into the three-mile-wide channel. Although much of the bypass on this day was dry as a bone, I left with a greater sense of awe for the expertise of the professionals who manage the delta and the entire Sacramento River watershed. With its location in the path of the Pacific Flyway, this place is particularly special for local birdwatchers. I'm not such a bird fancier that I know dozens of species, but I can tell herons from egrets. It was only egrets today, but it was awesome to see several of these take off as they were spooked by the crunching sound of gravel under my tires. Their wingspans were so immense, but I never considered until today how much energy it must take for egrets to flap those wings and get airborne. Until they achieve a graceful glide, the first few strokes look quite laborious. The auto tour route heads further toward the center of the bypass than I had expected. The gravel is well-groomed with minimal washboarding, and all but the most egregiously customized passenger cars can travel easily at the posted 15 mph speed limit. No dubbed-out donks or lowered rice rockets, but any stock automobile will do fine on a dry summer day. The beginning of the auto route winds through some working rice fields before fallow rice fields which sometimes fill up as ponds to provide habitat areas. Parking lots appear every few minutes so that you can get out on foot and have a closer look at the flora and fauna. The southernmost parking lot had one lonesome picnic table. So, I presume that you can bring your lunch so long as you pack out the trash. Closures due to flood management are actually rare even in the late winter and spring, so I'm curious now to see how the bypass looks different from season to season. It's so easy to access, and it's free. read more

This is a great place right off the highway to see a bunch of cool birds. The best time I've gone there is about an hour before sunset. We saw all kinds of waterfowl, many murmurations of some small birds, egrets, even an ibis. They seem to have added or evened out the gravel as it is a. It easier to drive through. Sadly there is also a hunting area. So come little. It does to this sanctuary but if you stray to the hunting area you're a sitting duck, so to doeak. read more

Yet another gem fostered between various private/public entities out to preserve and restore wetlands to their native state so that several hundred species of waterfowl and the others that share these lands and waterways that form an important ecosystem. For the avid birder, this is the perfect spot to view a large number of ducks settling in for the evening in addition to songbirds dancing in and out of the rushes. Keep an eye out for the thousands of Snow Geese that obliterate the holding ponds into a brilliant show of white accents, as seen if driving by on the Yolo Causeway. 16,000+ acres of wetlands open to the public and free to expand the knowledge of novice to the professional. For the less mobile and short on time, take advantage of the auto tour. You may drive along a designated route that meanders around the border of the wetlands but stay in the car in order to avoid startling/scaring off the waterfowl. There is also another route that leads out from the freeway and this is where hunters checkin. What I don't appreciate is the various times I have stopped by to view the birds, most of the SUVs and trucks heading to the hunter checkin post zip by on the roads, throwing up dirt and kicking back stones, disrupting the quiet and blatantly ignoring the 15 mph posting. Otherwise this is one of the best kept secrets in the county.....I encourage everyone to visit, at least once. read more

An Ornithologists dream ;) So breathtakingly beautiful!!!!!! I love coming here for a short or long ride or walk or jog. It is quite large and feels like a Sactown bird safari. I would recommend coming here any time you need to "get away from it all" and just want to go hear and watch the birds. It is so peaceful and calming here. It is open 7 days a week sunrise to sunset and does not cost money to enter. It is great for families and has areas people can go fishing in. There is an information center that is 2 miles down from the entrance which is great because they provide free maps of the area as well as tips on where to go at which time of the year so you can see some of the migrating birds that come here. I would recommend bringing a set of binoculars so that you can see the birds more closely. On a side note on your way out I would recommend stopping by the Yolo fruit sand because it has amazing produce read more

I love this place. I take my dog almost every Saturday morning. We do our hiking/exploring/bonding. I love that I can take him and have him run around off leash and get some exercise since we go so early and there's hardly anyone out. Only thing about it is that the bugs start to come out around 10am. We try and hurry up out of there by that time otherwise we're just trying not to swallow bugs by that point. Too bad it's going to start raining soon which means it'll most likely be flooded for the season. read more

I love hunting here! We usually always come back with limits. Nothing better than being able to get your own food. What we pay goes toward the conservation. Couldn't be more proud. read more

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I love it here!!!! So fascinating how they have the wetlands and how it is such a beautiful bird sanctuary. Although dusty, there are so many wonderful birds to see and listen to. Not to mention the views of the wetlands, you can even see the beautiful Sacramento skyline from here. Take a drive or you can even pack a lunch and take a hike. This is something wonderful to do with everyone, all ages. read more

NO BIKES! Though free, I was bummed to find that though they having a driving tour and a hiking tour, no bikes are allowed anywhere on the premises. I wouldn't be bummed if cars were also not allowed. Sorry this review is personal. Pros: free, highly undeveloped, great views of the Sac Skyline Cons: highway is loud, no bikes read more

Excellent place to view migrating waterfowl such as ducks, geese and Tundra swans. The area is open 7 days a week from sunrise until sunset. No entry fee. Picnic tables at parking lot B & C, porta-potties too. Laminated bird identification cards can be purchased at the Wildlife Area Headquarters building 45211 County Road 32B (2 miles west) during the week 8 - 4:30 for $5. Maps are also available at no charge. read more

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area - White-fronted geese at the YBWA- Nov 2011 - Hiking Near Me - Davis, California

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This is an awesome place- and definitely the best/ most convenient place in the Sacramento area to view wildlife. My boyfriend has somewhat recently gotten into bird watching, and we come here every few weeks to take in the sights. There's fields, wetlands, and a lot of things to see! We've probably seen about 20+ bird species in this area. Next time you're driving by, don't overlook this place, stop by for a bit! read more

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area - A snowy egret hangin' out. - Hiking Near Me - Davis, California

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If you have any interest in nature or birding, this is a great place to go! Accessible by car, albeit a little dusty, you can drive through miles of these wetlands--birding from your car or pulling off to the side and walking for better views. A scope is a good idea for some of the wetland areas. Waterfowl and raptors were prevalent on my first visit. Do more than "see" this area from the train on your way to Sac or passing by on the nearby highway. Take the exit and enjoy. There's also a park ranger station in the area that's worth a stop. Great displays, maps and the ranger I spoke to was knowledgeable about birds, pointing out areas to me that I shouldn't miss. read more

Peaceful nature's beauty. Best to come here at dawn or dusk for best bird watching. After Jan many of the migrating bird continue on South. I arrived with my family at 7:50am since it was too hard to get here earlier with little ones. It was cold but the kids, 6 and 3 years old had a great time. Early there aren't too many cars driving so we could walk, run, and skip and take the road. Then when the kids were tired or cold from walking, we took the auto tour. We stayed until about 10am. Everyone had a great time! we saw so many flocking birds in all directions and formations, there were thousands of birds in the water, eating and congregating. we saw mallard ducks, great herons, snowy white egrets, and many many more songbirds and water fowl that I have no idea what they are named. We had binoculars and loved seeing the birds close up on land and in the air. Our family will definitely be coming back read more

This is a really nice and diverse wildlife area, with space for both hunters and birders. I won a lottery slot w CA DF&G for a duck blind, and hunted on Jan. 21, 2018. You must show up 2.5hrs before hunting time(30mins before sunrise) to pick your spot; you need chest waders and decoys. While there are many species, the majority seem to be divers, esp ruddy ducks and buffleheads. Also saw pintails, teal, widgeon, spoonbills, snow and speckle bellied geese, mallards and redheads. Saw 2 pheasant on the drive out. Also numerous Marsh hawks and redtails. read more

I love this place.its drastically different every single visit depending on the recent weather,water level,season.flooded with water,dry as a bone. The kinds of birds and other wildlife really vary. Views can range from mundane to spectacular, arid and monotonous or lush and full of life.the bats are awesome, I may be prejudiced because I lurve bats.gorgeous egrets, cranes,herons, curliues, seagulls (who all the other birds stay clear of), massive dragonflies, ribbity frogs at twilight I hear but have never seen, fun conversations with obsessed birders and other nature lovers walking their dogs (the wildlife area is no dogs but there are outskirt areas where leashed dogs are allowed). Minus one star (really two, but I do love this place) for the totally uncouth hunters who inexplicably are given free reign here, nothing like hearing birds get shot nearby and knowing there's angry dudes hanging out in the vicinity with guns to sully the nature experience.these same dudes speed through the preserve on dirt bikes and in their overcompensation monster trucks (I think we all know what they are overcompensating for) polluting, scaring the wildlife,spewing up dust that clouds the air all around, leaving their cigarette butts, and don't even get me started on leaded bullets and the affect they have on the local ecosystem. I'm assuming the park employees are too intimidated to confront the losers who treat the park this way,but I really wish hunting wasn't allowed and I know racing and littering aren't. It wouldn't take much to make this place phenomenal, but I think that'd be fighting against the general mindset in the Sacramento area, which is that nature is something to be used,recreated in, taken from, but not that it's to be cherished,nurtured,protected, and respected just for the sake of it. read more

Loved this place far too much! I thought my heart was going to explode from so much excitement. I went for the bat tour and it was spectacular! I had a blast learning about the bats and then watching them fly out for their food. On our way down to the bat area, we were able to see Great Blue Herons, an American White Pelican, Great Egrets and Black-crowned night-herons amongst other birds. I was in awe and though I don't appreciate the drive to Davis itself (lots of idiot drivers), I definitely can't wait to go back. read more

This is easily the best and most accessible place in the Sacramento area for birdwatching. There's a wide variety of species year round, and you don't need to pay to get in. The only reason I didn't give it a full five stars is that its convenience comes at a price: freeway noise. There's no place in the entire wildlife area from which you can't hear cars. Aside from that, it's a great resource for nature lovers. read more

Vast and beautiful wildlife area with downtown Sacramento in the eastern skyline. Diverse bird populations and nice auto tour that allows for what I call "drive by birding" ;). Drive nice and slow to really see some interesting things, in particular there seems to be a lot of northern harriers patrolling and putting on a show startlingly all the waterfowl. There are a lot of trails to walk as well, but the most interesting and easy thing to see for me is the large battery of black crowned night herons just past the first parking lot on the west side of the road looking towards there levee! read more

I don't normally consider myself a bird watcher, but two and a half hours went by before I realized it as our family spotted ducks, egrets, herons, a great horned owl, and over 20,000 snow geese. Easy access, an auto tour trail that winds through much of the preserve, and lots of walking trails make the Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area a great day-trip. I'm glad we checked it out. read more