You will exit the Sacramento area on roads which are relatively safe - if unremarkable.  But take care on Elk Grove Blvd:  busy, poor road quality, commercial areas with lots of cross traffic.  Once out of the Elk Grove area the route becomes tranquil and easy for many miles.

A significant portion of the ride follows the Sacramento River.

Traffic generally is light, roads are pancake flat, picturesque draw-bridges punctuate the landscape, and views are pretty.

Before long you will visit Locke and Walnut Grove.  Time permitting, a brief cruise down the main street of Locke is very interesting; this historic Chinese community appears frozen in time.

The large transmission towers (photo right) which dominate the Walnut Grove area carry many of the region's radio & TV signals.   

Isleton hosts Rest Stop #1; at this point you will be 48 miles into your day (with only 640' climbing!).

Winds usually pick up as you head further south.  Rio Vista boasts world-class wind surfing. 

Eventually you will cross Highway 12, which connects Rio Vista (photo left) with points east.

South of Rio Vista a farm of wind powered electrical generators (photo right) is visible to the west.

Consider returning on another day to this quiet, tranquil region for a day dedicated to Delta bicycling.

Eventually you will cross the Antioch Bridge.  The bike lane is adequate, and I never have felt unsafe on this structure.  I find the bridge's view to the north (Oakland to Sacramento - photo below) more picturesque than the view south (Sacramento to Oakland).

Biking through Antioch is no treat, but the roads generally are ok with the exception of Empire Avenue, which is narrow, lacks a shoulder, carries heavy traffic, but (mercifully) is short.  In Antioch you will find Rest Stop #2 in Deer Valley Plaza. 

Deer Valley Road takes you toward the Mt Diablo region.  You will circle about Mt Diablo on Marsh Creek, Clayton, and Ignacio Valley Roads. 

Soon you will pass through Walnut Creek.  Some Walnut Creek's roads lack shoulders:  be especially alert on Treat Road, which has heavy traffic, no shoulder, and (near I-680) a somewhat confusing traffic pattern.

Roads become more congenial west of I-680, although more serious climbing begins here.  Half of the trip's climbing occurs in the next 20 miles.  

Roads parallel Highway 24 on the gradual (steeper on Deer Hill Road!) climb toward Orinda.  In Orinda you will stop at Rest Stop #3.

After this well-deserved rest, you shortly will start the climb up Wildcat Canyon Road (photo right).

I find this an enjoyable climb.

Views here are striking.

At the top you head south on Grizzly Peak Blvd, where eventually you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of Oakland/Berkeley and beyond (photo below).

After a fast, easy descent down Claremont Avenue, ride's end finally is at hand .