The Long Way
Solano County
A ferry is docked with several cars loaded on its deck.
Plate I. Vehicles on the Real McCoy II Ferry. From localnewsmatters.org

Real McCoy II Ferry

Rio Vista, Solano County, California. Ferry.

Details

Map. Rio Vista, Solano County, California. Larger map
Where
Rio Vista, Solano County, CA. No street address stated. Directions
When
crossings are scheduled every 20 minutes; on the hour, 20 minutes after the hour, and 40 minutes after the hour.
Getting there
It provides service to Ryer Island residents and its visitors by crossing the Cache Slough to Rio Vista.
Fees
free of charge.
Hours
24/7.
Access
The Real McCoy II ferry is out of service — again — and Solano County commuters are being advised to use an alternate route, Caltrans said Sunday.
Phone
(510) 622-0120
Managed by
Caltrans.

The Real McCoy II is classified as an extension of Highway 84. It provides service to Ryer Island residents and its visitors by crossing the Cache Slough to Rio Vista.

Notable Events

  1. 1945The original Real McCoy ferry started service on the Ryer Island Ferry route across Cache Slough in 1945. aaroads.com
  2. 2011The first Real McCoy ferry retired. cbsnews.com
  3. 2016By 2016 the Coast Guard had taken the ferry out of service 14 times for hazardous or unsafe conditions. kcra.com
  4. 2016After the more-than-$4-million purchase and the warranty period, repair costs had exceeded $1.8 million. kcra.com
  5. 2022An inspector general audit reported 30 days out of service in 2018, 69 in 2019, 272 in 2020, 17 in 2021 and 98 in 2022. kcra.com
  6. 2024The vessel was taken out of service because of continued mechanical failures. workboat.com
  7. Caltrans announced that the ferry returned to service after a complete rebuild of its hydraulic system. workboat.com

People

  • Lois Wolk, State senator who fought for years to get the Real McCoy replaced.

Sources

  1. dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-projects/d4-solano-delta-ferry
  2. localnewsmatters.org/2026/06/29/real-mccoy-ii-ferry-sidelined-again-leaving-ryer-island-drivers-with-lengthy-detour
  3. sfchronicle.com/travel/article/Last-public-car-ferries-still-ply-Sacramento-San-13266351.php
  4. kcra.com/article/real-mccoy-ii-ferry-out-of-service/63904957
  5. cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/ferry-frustration-rio-vista
  6. workboat.com/california-ferry-returns-to-service-after-hydraulic-system-overhaul