Sandhill Crane Wetland Tour at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve

(a.k.a. Isenberg Sandhill Crane Reserve)

Announcements

Registration for Sandhill Crane tours is now closed for the 2025-2026 season
Please return here fall 2026 to register for the 2026-2027 tour season! Registration will be open at the beginning of September

Overview

You are invited on a tour, in Lodi, during the “Season of the Sandhill Crane". The season begins with the arrival of the Sandhill Cranes into the Delta and Central Valley in about late September, where they will spend the fall and winter months. Tours consist of viewing Sandhill Cranes and other unique wintering waterfowl, hearing a presentation on the cranes and their Reserve habitat, and viewing the cranes' impressive, nightly behaviors at a location that is only open to the public during these special tours.

Please know you can view cranes any evening at the South unit of the reserve and reservations are not required, yet a Lands Pass is still required. Driving directions to the South unit are below. See more at
Visiting Woodbridge ER on your own

Register for a Tour

Pre-registration is required as tour size is limited. Reservations open on the first working day of the month at 9 AM for the following month. Tours occur the first three weekends of the month during October through February, except during the Sandhill Crane Festival weekend in Lodi, when there are multiple tours you can sign up for through the festival site.

REGISTER HERE IN SEPTEMBER!

If you have questions or need more information, email cranetours@wildlife.ca.gov.

After Registering

After registering for a tour, you will need to purchase your Lands Pass for tour visit. A CDFW Lands Pass or a current fishing or hunting license in possession is required of each tour participant, ages 16+.

Once on the Internet Sales website, select Guest Customer to purchase CDFW One Day Lands Passes at $5.66 each for the specific date you have already registered for your tour - Note: entering as a Guest Customer doesn't require providing any "customer profile" data.

Continue as Guest
Select "Purchase licenses"
Select "daily" or "annual" pass
Add: Lands Pass

An Annual Lands Pass to access broad CDFW lands for recreational purposes such as bird watching, hiking, etc., is alternatively available.

Tour docents will be checking for a pass or valid license when you arrive for the tour. Full tour access is not allowed without presentation of the document. "Don't leave home without it!"

Crane Tour Details

The Woodbridge Ecological Reserve is divided into two parcels, known as the South Site and North Site. Tours meet 90 minutes before sunset at the South Site where docent guides meet attendees and give a presentation. We suggest bringing binoculars and/or spotting scopes for up-close viewing, but you can easily enjoy the cranes with unaided eyes and ears. You may want to bring a light snack and water for your tour.

Both sites have fully accessible pit toilets.

Tours take place rain or shine. Please dress appropriately as you will be outdoors or in an open air shelter the entire time.

Guides may take tour groups down Woodbridge Road via car caravan to see cranes and other wildlife using the grain fields and marshes along the road. Your docent guides are trained in crane ecology, the area's natural history and the Reserve's habitat management, and want your experience to be memorable and educational. Tours usually conclude a half hour after sunset with the anticipated fly-in of the cranes at the North Site where a viewing shelter allows us to be hidden from the incoming birds.

Cranes will be the focus of our tours as they may be observed here under most, but not all conditions. We will also scout for other birds that use the Reserve during the winter months.

A valid fishing, hunting, or CDFW lands pass is required to enter both the south and north viewing locations at any time.

Directions

Directions to South Site (starting point for CDFW docent-led crane tours):

The Woodbridge Ecological Reserve / Isenberg Sandhill Crane Reserve is 45 minutes driving time from downtown Sacramento or 30 minutes from Stockton.

From Sacramento, take Interstate 5 south exit on Peltier Road. Turn left under I-5 to the frontage road which is Thornton Road. Turn right (south) on Thornton Road and travel 2 miles to Woodbridge Road. Look for sign “Phil and Marilyn Isenberg Sandhill Crane Reserve.” Turn right (west) on Woodbridge Road and continue 2.5 miles to a pullout on left side of road. This is the South unit of Reserve, our meeting area. The tours will begin here with docent introduction.
From Lodi, SF Bay Area via Hwy 12, Stockton or Los Angeles head north on Interstate 5 and exit on Turner Road. Go left (north) on frontage road which is Thornton Road 1 mile to Woodbridge Road. Look for sign “Phil and Marilyn Isenberg Sandhill Crane Reserve.” Turn left (west) on Woodbridge Road and continue 2.5 miles to a pullout on left side of road. This is the South unit of Reserve, our meeting area. The tours will begin here with docent introduction.

Group Tours and Field Trips

School field trips and community group tours (for up to 25 people) are available on a limited basis. If you are interested in booking a group tour, please email cranetours@wildlife.ca.gov.

Learn More About Sandhill Cranes

Whether you join us for a tour, see the cranes on your own, or simply stay home, you can learn more about Sandhill Cranes.

Interested in Volunteering as a Sandhill Crane Tour Docent?

We are accepting new volunteers to lead and/or co-lead sandhill crane tours on the first three weekends in the months of October through February. Volunteers are typically placed to co-lead/lead tours on every first weekend, every second weekend, or every third weekend. You would need to attend a training, observe a tour and practice, and complete paperwork to become a CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering for the Sandhill Crane Tours please complete this interest form. Staff will be in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are the tours?

Tours to the reserve are typically held the first three weekends of each month from October through February, with exception of the Lodi Crane Festival weekend when tours vary throughout the weekend and require separate pre-registration. The Crane Wetland Tours begin 90 minutes before sunset and last approximately 2 hours. Pre-registration is required. We encourage you to stay until a docent organizes a caravan back to Woodbridge Road at one half hour after sunset as headlights can disturb landing cranes and other birds. For a complete listing of tour dates and start times go to tour registration link.

Are children allowed on tours?

Tours are family oriented, so children are welcome to come.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are allowed as long as they stay inside a vehicle. Pets have the potential to scare cranes away, and we want to respect those folks who do not like or may be frightened by animals.

How do I register for a tour?

Please use the link at the top of this page.

Are tours Wheelchair Accessible?

These tours are wheelchair accessible. Viewing is available adjacent to the parking lot at both sites and involves very little walking. A short concrete ramp will take you to the top of the South Site viewing mound. At the North Site, disabled parking is available right next to the viewing shelter. Please let your docent guide know if you have any special needs when you arrive for your tour.

Are tours still conducted even when it is raining?

Tours go rain or shine as the birds don't seem to mind a bit of extra moisture. Cancellations are very rare and would only occur when weather is expected to be very extreme. The cranes exhibit animated behaviors during rain and storm events so this time often makes for a very good tour experience. Be sure to bring appropriate clothing for the wet weather.

Do you have to go on a tour to see the Sandhill Cranes?

The South site of the Reserve is open to the public and you can visit the site anytime, day or evening (see Visiting Woodbridge ER) on your own. You might like to explore further west on Woodbridge Road to see cranes and other birds feeding in surrounding farm fields (Woodbridge Road dead ends within 6 miles). If you choose to drive down the road looking at all the activity, we would ask that you please stay in your cars. Woodbridge Road is a working farm road and during the fall large grain trucks move rather quickly down the narrow road. Your safety is very important to us and we would recommend the use of emergency flashers if you are moving slowly or pulled over on the road. Again, sunset is the prime viewing opportunity for “crane fly-in” during the fall / winter season.

Please note: the North site of the Reserve which includes the crane viewing shelter, can only be visited on a docent led tour. There is no trespassing into the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve / Isenberg Sandhill Crane Reserve or onto the properties along Woodbridge Road.

Are there restrooms at the Reserve?

ADA compliant portable toilets are available for use at both North and South Woodbridge Ecological Reserve. The portable toilet located at the North Unit (accessible with tour registration and participation only) is larger to accommodate wheelchair access as may be needed. Also, en route to Woodbridge Road or upon departure it may be advisable to stop for comfort in Flag City which is located just South at the junction of Highways 5 and 12.

Is the West Nile Virus a threat?

Mosquitoes use the wetlands along Woodbridge Road, we encourage attendees to bring bug repellent. The San Joaquin Mosquito and Vector Control has provided us with plenty of mosquito “wipes” and spray should you forget to bring some of your own.

Are there other wildlife viewing opportunities?

Yes! See the following sites for suggestions:

Does Lodi provide any other places to visit?

Lodi's revitalized downtown offers many movies, restaurants, and shops. A wide choice of lodgings and wineries make for a wonderful extended stay. Other great local places to bird watch include Cosumnes River Preserve, Lodi Lake Nature Trail, Reservoirs in the nearby foothills, and boating opportunities in the Delta. Please visit www.visitlodi.com for more detailed information.

Still have questions?

Please email CraneTours@wildlife.ca.gov and a volunteer docent will answer your question as soon as possible.