This California Delta landmark is located three miles south of Walnut Grove, on scenic State Highway 160. You will find the hotel in its peaceful setting on the orchard-lined banks of the Sacramento River.
This central location in the heart of California's picturesque Delta region makes the Ryde convenient to access from Sacramento, the Central Valley, the San Francisco Greater Bay Area, and the Napa-Sonoma Wine Country.
Perched like a jewel on the Sacramento River, the inviting peach-tone facade of the Ryde literally stops traffic.
Built in 1927 at the peak of the prohibition era. It was an opulent establishment, complete with beauty salon and barbershop, that served as a riverboat way station. It was also rumored to be a bordello. The lower level was a speakeasy, offering bootleg whiskey and jazz to a clientele in search of a good time. There was even a trap door in the floor that allegedly opened to reveal a tunnel running under the road to a hidden doorway at the river's edge. It's not difficult to imagine the type of nocturnal activities that secret passageway has seen! Speculation mixed with fact generated a good amount of notoriety that brought with it a certain cachet. The Ryde attracted celebrities of all types from President Herbert Hoover to local and state politicians to movie stars and mobsters.
In later years the Hotel became a boarding house for the men and women who built the Delta levees and pioneered the area's thriving agricultural industry. Over time, the Ryde has experienced many incarnations and owners including the Lon Chaney, Jr. family. At one point the name was changed to the Grand Island Inn. During the 1980's it was even a rock'n'roll mecca!
1998 marked the advent of a Renaissance for this historical property. Under the direction of new owners, Jan LeRoy and Cathy Hartrich, the Hotel has resumed its original name and undergone a major renovation. Jan and Cathy have maintained the character of the original design while incorporating contemporary amenities, such as jacuzzi tubs, with glorious river views. What they have achieved is an ambience that is both unique and casually elegant.
http://rydehotel.com
This hotel has been around for quite a number of years. I spent 3 yrs of my boyhood there and I remember it well and that was back in the late 30's. My how time flies.......
margot9230 2 months ago
@mountaingirllll This is big band music like Glen Miller.
fescenmeyer 1 year ago
i really like the music -someone should remark on what kind of music this is....Ill buy it ...for my mom
mountaingirllll 2 years ago
omg hell yeah
3219jj 3 years ago
very nice photos thank you
photos33 3 years ago