After 61 years watching the Sacramento River roll by, The Point, the longtime riverfront restaurant at Rio Vista’s Delta Marina, is calling it quits on Dec. 28. The family-run favorite shared a short farewell on Instagram, explaining that management could not land a new lease amid rising operating costs.
Lease Talks Stalled As Expenses Climbed
General manager Jim Scott told the San Francisco Chronicle that the team could not agree on terms for a new lease and that "high operating costs" helped seal the decision to close. The outlet also reported that the restaurant used Instagram to announce its final day of service and to offer a brief thank you to loyal customers.
Waterfront Property Already Shopping For A New Captain
Listing materials show the 7,000 square foot building at 120 Marina Drive can seat more than 100 guests and comes with deck seating, a bar, and a ramp down to the river so boaters can tie up for a meal, according to the Restaurant Realty listing. The space is being marketed to potential buyers with the clear hope that a new operator will keep it running as a restaurant, as reflected on BizBuySell.
A Delta Fixture Since The Johnson Administration
The Point’s story is tightly tied to the Baumann family. Delta Marina Yacht Harbor opened in 1959, and work on the restaurant’s 7,000 square foot dining room began in 1964, according to the restaurant’s own history page. That account also notes that Jim Baumann reopened The Point in April 1994 and operated it for more than two decades before later changes in ownership, per The Point.
What The Closing Means For Rio Vista
For a town that leans heavily on weekend boaters and RV traffic, losing The Point means one less familiar stop on the Delta map. Restaurant Realty has been marketing the property, and the listing on BizBuySell indicates the landlord would welcome a buyer who keeps the space operating as a restaurant. The Point will stay open and serving until its final service on Dec. 28, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
