From whitewater rafting to hiking and bicycling, Sacramento has you covered when you're looking for outdoor activities. In search of something more exciting? Skydiving and other extreme sports are also available in sunny Sacramento California.
Bicycling
More than 32 miles of paved bike trail along the scenic American River Parkway in Sacramento highlight the city's cycling amenities. Hop on the trail at many different points and ride along the American river, or rent a bike in Old Sacramento and take it for an urban spin - Sacramento has added multiple bike lanes in the past few years, including green-painted bicycling zones on Capitol Mall.
Fun on the Rivers
Take a lazy day rafting down the American River from historic Folsom to Sacramento, stopping at the riverbank beaches or islands on the way. You can also launch a boat on the Sacramento river and explore the waterway, passing under Tower Bridge and the century-old I Street Bridge along Old Sacramento. Of course, if you're more into lounging on the riverbanks and going for a swim, Sacramento offers plenty of parks and river access such as Discovery Park and Sutter's Landing.
Spend Time in a Park
Sacramento is full of parks, and they provide a perfect sanctuary from the bustle of the city or the sun on a hot summer day. Capitol Park is full of statues and monuments as well as the trees native to California. McKinley Park in East Sacramento, like Capitol Park, has a beautiful rose garden as well as a playground, jogging path and tennis courts for those looking to stay fit on the road. Southside Park features a unique playground, a pond that reflects fall colors and the city skyline and basketball and tennis courts.
Festivals and Events
Locals love getting outside for festivals and events. Every second saturday, Midtown's art galleries open for the Second Saturday Art Walk, and 20th Street between J and K streets is closed off for a street fair. Larger events including the Save Mart Grape Escape, Gold Rush Days and the Farm-to-Fork Celebration are popular outdoor events as well. But there's always something going on. Visit Sacramento365 for a complete listing of events.
Walk the City
One of the best ways to see any place is on foot - taking in the details at a leisurely pace instead of whizzing by in a car. Walk around Old Sacramento for historic ambiance, then head through the bustling downtown core before going into Midtown where you'll find art galleries, a vibrant restaurant scene and nightlife venues. Sacramento's warm summer evenings and safe streets make twilight strolls great opportunities for the perfect pictures and enjoyment.
Certified Farmers' Markets are an effort to reestablish the traditional link between farmers and consumers in California. Certified Farmers' Markets are "the real thing;" places where genuine farmers offer only agricultural products they grow themselves for direct sale to the public. By eliminating the middleman's additional costs and multiple product handling, both the farmers and the consumers benefit.
Although the Certified Farmers' Markets are strictly governed by the high quality and growing standards of California, their farmers can bring field and tree ripened fruits and vegetables which are too delicate for the packing and shipping processes of traditional food distribution systems. In addition, consumers are assured of obtaining only California grown fruits and vegetables, fresh and in season, at attractive prices.
Spend your family vacation in the peaceful Northern California mountain site located in the Eldorado National Forest. Camp Sacramento is the perfect affordable family vacation. Supervised recreation programs, river play, cool nights, warm days, friendly and entertaining staff, lots of leisure time, a beautiful setting, campers of all ages and great food are all part of this terrific Camp Experience.
Camp Sacramento offers eight mini Camp (4 days/3 nights) and four week-long (6 days/5 nights) vacation sessions during its 2010 Family Camp season . We provide guests with 3 meals a day and a vacation full of recreation activities. This is all included in the camp fees . Come and join us as we begin our 90th year of Family Camping Adventures.The last week of the season at Camp Sacramento is Senior Adventure Camp , open only to adults age 50 and older.
The Sacramento Marina is nestled amidst a beautiful riverfront park, just minutes from downtown Sacramento, California. Our Marina is the largest along the Sacramento River, providing the only off-river dockage in the area. The location offers the convenience of easy vehicle-access to the entire metropolitan freeway system.
The Sacramento Marina recently completed a major renovation in the South Basin of the Marina and fuel dock. It has a total of 475 slips varying in sizes from 25' -50', including end ties. The Marina is open to the boating public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Sacramento Marina administration building is open Monday thru Friday 8:00AM to 4:30PM, Saturday 9:00AM to 3:00PM, and closed on Sunday. The fuel dock is open every day, including holidays. The hours of operation vary depending on the season. Please call the Marina Administration Office at 916-808-5712 or the Marina Cell Phone at 916-807-0838
The Sacramento Marina is easily accessible from US-50, I-80 and I-5. Its natural, serene setting and proximity to the Sacramento and American Rivers offer abundant opportunities for outdoor activities. Boating and water sports can be enjoyed on the area's lakes and rivers, and along over 1,000 miles of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta's waterways.
Located in the heart of the city, Raging Waters Sacramento features more than 25 exhilarating water attractions, breath-taking slides, crystal clear pools and fun-filled activities for children and adults of all ages. Raging Waters, Sacramento is the perfect destination for families of all ages!
River Otter Taxi Company
From Old Sacramento to marinas, restaurants and shops along the Sacramento River, River Otter Taxi Company the sturdy 24-seat boat makes the placid round trip in about an hour and a quarter. Some of the notable destinations along the way include Chevy's, Crawdads and Woody's. Sacramento River Cats (minor league baseball) fans travel on the river taxi from convenient parking in downtown Sacramento to Raley Field on the West Bank of the Sacramento River.
Sacramento River Train
Enjoy dinner, brunch or lunch aboard the Sacramento RiverTrain. This train features a sparkling gold exterior reflecting the areas Gold Rush heritage and 1,000-feet of blue waves that are a tribute to the Sacramento River that follows the trains route. While you roll along, enjoy a great combination of scenery, food & entertainment.
California State Fair
The Cal Expo fairgrounds come alive every summer as the State Fair becomes a "city within a city" that hosts nearly one million visitors. Folks come from near and far for the memorable delights of this 156-year-old extravaganza that includes exciting exhibits, amazing attractions, live entertainment, and the Magnificent Midway.
