FAIR OAKS VILLAGE – SAILOR BAR WALK 4.2 MILES
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Fair Oaks Village – Sailor Bar Walk
📅 Every Wednesday
⏰ 7:45 AM – 9:45 AM (PST)
📍 Start: Fair Oaks Brew Pub
7988 California Ave, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
➤ Directions
Join Fair Oaks Sisters & Misters for a scenic and invigorating morning walk. We’ll start in charming Fair Oaks Village, cross to Sailor Bar, and follow the American River with a few hills for great cardio. Whether you’re here for exercise, fresh air, or socializing, this walk is the perfect way to start your day. Dogs are welcome. 🐕
🌅 Why Join
▫️ Start your day energized
▫️ Great for fitness & fresh air
▫️ Meet local walkers weekly
▫️ Beautiful nature & river views
▫️ Easy social outing for all levels
🚶♀️ What to Expect
▫️ Scenic 4.2 mi walk from Fair Oaks Village
▫️ Riverside route along the American River
▫️ Moderate hills for good cardio
▫️ Friendly, like-minded walking group
▫️ Dogs welcome on this walk
📹 Video credit: John Hannon
About Sailor Bar Tap to expand
Sailor Bar Walk
Fair Oaks / Rancho Cordova (American River Parkway)
A scenic, mostly flat riverside walk through oak woodland, gravel bars, and historic gold-mining tailings—perfect for easy mileage, birding, and river views.
✨ Why visit
• Big sky river vistas, gravel bars, and seasonal side-pools.
• Frequent wildlife: egrets, herons, ducks, raptors—plus beaver & river otter sightings are possible.
• Easy access and mellow grades make it great for all levels, sunrise to golden hour.
📍 Trailhead
Sailor Bar Access, off Illinois Ave (Fair Oaks). Multiple dirt/gravel spurs along the river; your event route (~4–5 miles) stays mostly level on service roads and riverside paths.
⏱️ Time & Difficulty
Easy • Allow 1.5–2 hours with photo stops. Surfaces range from packed dirt to river rock; wear sturdy shoes.
🚗 Parking & Facilities
American River Parkway day-use fee (paid kiosk / self-pay). Sites here include restrooms, picnic spots, boat ramp (small craft), and equestrian staging areas.
👀 What to look for
- Gravel bars & side channels—great for waterfowl and reflections.
- Blue & valley oaks, willow/cottonwood stands along the riparian edge.
- Fall salmon activity (often Oct–Dec) between River Bend and Sailor Bar; watch respectfully from shore.
- Historic dredge tailings—rounded cobble mounds from early mining.
🏺 A short history of Sailor Bar
The American River has supported people for thousands of years, including Nisenan (Southern Maidu) communities along its fertile floodplain. During the Gold Rush and into the early 20th century, Sailor Bar and nearby Sacramento Bar were heavily mined—first by hand, then by massive bucket dredges. Local lore says the name comes from sailors who left their ships to try their luck here. The rounded rock “tailings” you see today are the landscape’s living record of that era.
⚠️ River safety & etiquette
- Stay off unstable banks; river levels and currents change quickly.
- Yield to horses & give anglers space; pack out all trash.
- Dogs on leash where posted; watch for goathead thorns on gravel.
- Check current county park rules and CDFW regulations if fishing.
🌤️ Best times
Year-round; spring wildflowers & green hills, summer river breezes (go early), fall color & salmon activity, crisp winter birding.
🧭 Navigation tip
From the main lot, head toward the river and follow the service road east or west along the bank; spur paths lead to gravel bars and overlooks.
Tip: River cobbles can be slick—choose treaded shoes. After big storms, expect debris and re-routed side channels.