Sycamore Island is about 20 minutes from our neighborhood by car. There you will find a beautiful natural preserve, with an abundance of wildlife and vegetation. This year, there is also an abundance of water. It is a great place to fish, explore, kayak, and canoe. Some of the waterways are connected to the San Joaquin River, which makes them off-limits for the time being. That river is running fast and cold, and you do not want to venture in until it is safe to do so. That is not likely to happen for a long while. The good news is that there are several inland ponds that are still open for use.
We recently took our inflatable kayaks and paddled around on Trout Pond. This is the home of a bald eagle nest. While we didn’t see any eagles this time, we did enjoy a pleasant and peaceful hour or two navigating the pond and taking in the natural beauty around us. Day passes into Sycamore Island are $9 per car. You can also purchase an annual pass for $85. Through August, the park is open Friday - Sunday & holidays 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM. Park hours are seasonal and subject to change. You might want to check with the bait shop before you go: (559) 801-8690.