Banta is a small town in San Joaquin County, California. Historically, it was a major interchange point between the Central Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads. It was located on the route of the transcontinental railroad from Sacramento to the San Francisco Bay Area by way of the Altamont Pass and Niles Canyon before the Central Pacific bought the route of the California Pacific which ran north of the Carquinez Strait to Vallejo. The Central Pacific diverted the California Pacific line to Benicia, California and established a railroad ferry between Benicia and Port Costa across the Carquinez Strait. San Joaquin County is a county located in the United States of America in Californias Central Valley, just east of the San Francisco Bay Area. ... This article is becoming very long. ... External link Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum Categories: Corporation stubs | Historical stubs | Defunct railroad companies of the United States | California railroads | Nevada railroads | Utah railroads | Historic civil engineering landmarks ... The Southern Pacific Railroad (AAR reporting mark SP) was an American railroad. ... Nickname: City of Trees Location of Sacramento in California County Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo Area    - City 99. ... USGS Satellite photo of the San Francisco Bay Area. ... The Altamont Pass is a mountain pass in Northern California, United States, located between Livermore in the Livermore Valley and Tracy in the San Joaquin Valley. ... Niles Canyon is a canyon, formed by Alameda Creek, largely in unincorporated Alameda County, California, USA; part of which lies in the Fremont city limits, and also the Union City city limits. ... Carquinez Strait The Carquinez Strait is a narrow tidal strait in northern California. ... Vallejo is a city in Solano County, California, United States. ... Benicia is a city located in Solano County, California. ... Port Costa is a census-designated place located in Contra Costa County, California. ...