The 28th Annual Sandhill Crane Festival will take place on November 7-9, 2025, at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi. This Crane-focused extravaganza will include presentations, workshops, and tours of the Woodbridge and Cosumnes preserves.
See the Cranes on your own at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve
You're welcome to go at sunset during the winter months to the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve at 7730 West Woodbridge Road, Lodi, CA 95242. You'll find two close-by parking lots, on the north and south sides of Woodbridge Road, with an equal likelihood of spotting dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of Cranes during their nightly fly-in. There's a bathroom at the south-side parking lot. If you don’t have an active fishing or hunting license, please purchase an inexpensive California Fish and Wildlife land pass to support the WER.
Docent-led Crane Tours at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve
Docent-led Sandhill Crane tours are available on weekends October – February. The docent will give a presentation about the Cranes and guide visitors from the Woodbridge Road parking lots to a private viewing area with amenities. Sign up for a tour far in advance, or if your desired time slot is full and you're nearby, just show up at the south-side parking lot and you may be able to take the place of a no-show.
See the Cranes on your own at the Cosumnes River Preserve
During the winter months the Cosumnes River Preserve at 13501 Franklin Blvd. Galt, CA 95632 is a wetland wonder with many waterbird species including Sandhill Cranes. The Preserve has a Visitor Center, accessible paths and boardwalks, and a kayak launch.