Rush Ranch is a 2,070-acre open space in southern Solano County. It is bordered on one side by the Suisun Marsh, a vital component of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary. Rush Ranch has won countless loyal hearts with its vast open spaces of rolling grasslands, its tranquility, its history, and its abundance of bird- and wildlife-viewing opportunities.
The property was purchased by the Solano Land Trust in 1988 with a grant from the California Coastal Conservancy.In 2003, Rush Ranch was designated as part of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Visitors with dogs are welcome to walk around the historic buildings at the heart of the ranch, and to hike the Suisun Hill Trail, which makes a loop of just under two miles from the trailhead on Grizzly Island Road at the end of the ranch driveway. The trail climbs about 200 feet to a summit overlooking the Portrero Hills.
Dog policy: Conflicts with cattle caused the trust a few years ago to impose a leash rule on the Suisun Hill Trail. Exceptions are sometimes made, but only with permission from Solano Land Trust's Executive Director. No dogs are allowed on the Marsh Trail or South Pasture Trail. Owners are required to pick up after their dogs.
Parking: Free, but please use the lot just outside the building complex. The area beyond the big white barn is reserved for handicapped parking.
Getting there: From Sacramento, take Interstate 80 west to Fairfield and exit at Abernathy Road, turning left toward Highway 12. Turn left onto 12 and proceed approximately three miles to Grizzly Island Road. Turn right and proceed approximately two miles to ranch entrance on right.
From San Francisco, take Interstate 80 east to Fairfield and exit at Highway 12 toward Rio Vista. Follow directions above.