San Pablo Bay
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San Pablo Bay is a shallow tidal estuary that forms the northern extension of San Francisco Bay in northern California in the United States. It receives the waters of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, via Suisun Bay and the Carquinez Strait on its east end, and it connects to San Francisco Bay on its south end. The bay is heavily silted from the contributions of the two rivers, which themselves drain most of the Central Valley of California. The bay also receives the waters of Sonoma Creek and the Napa River, the latter which flows into the Carquinez Strait via the Mare Island Strait near its entrance into the bay.
The bay is approximately 10 miles(16 km) across and has an area of approximately 90 square miles (240 square km).
The bay is shared between Contra Costa, Solano, Sonoma and Marin counties, the boundaries of which meet near the center of the bay. Communities on San Pablo Bay include San Pablo, Pinole, Hercules, Rodeo, Vallejo, Novato, and San Rafael. The city of Richmond is on the peninsula separating San Pablo Bay from San Francisco Bay.
The undeveloped portions of the periphery of the bay are plentiful with salt marshes and mudflats. The bay is a primary wintering stop for canvasback population on the Pacific Flyway, as well as a migratory staging ground for numerous species of waterfowl. Much of the northern shore of the bay is protected as part of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Endangered species that are found in the bay include the California brown pelican, California clapper rail, and salt marsh harvest mouse. Saltwater fishes found in the bay include striped bass, surfperch, sturgeon, starry flounder, leopard shark, topsmelt, and anchovy. The bay is a popular destination for recreation fishing.
China Camp State Park in San Rafael overlooks the bay on its southwestern end.
The bay was named after Rancho San Pablo, established by the Spanish settlers in 1815 on the site of the present-day city of San Pablo.
The airspace above the bay is frequently used for flight training due to its proximity to Oakland International Airport and other local airports, but being outside of San Francisco's Class B airspace.
[edit] Popular Culture
San Pablo Bay is the setting of alternative rock band Primus' three-part song series "Fisherman's Chronicles," and is also referenced in "Toys Go Winding Down." It is also mentioned in The Minus 5 song "John Barleycorn Must Live."
