Hometown hikes

Sacramento, California

c/o Noah Miller @n.mf.miller

What It’s Like Around Here

Sacramento offers a diverse set of options for the outdoor-minded. Within the city limits there are miles of river-adjacent trails suitable for biking or walking. The river(s) themselves present the opportunity for paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and of course swimming (although be cautious during the winter and spring when the current can be deceptively quick). Within just 40 miles on either Highways 80 or 50 you can find many more advanced hikes and camping locations. Not much further than that are the Sierra Nevadas, Lake Tahoe, and every activity for every season. In short, there are a ton of things to do for those interested in finding them.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

SAcramento

  • Hidden Falls is 40 minutes outside central Sacramento and offers a number of trail loops of varying distances, difficulty, and terrains. Pick a trip that works with your timetable, size, and capacity, and you're sure to find something lovely. Note: a parking reservation is sometimes required

  • If you're in Sacramento for a short visit, Sutter's Landing Regional Park offers a quick loop of 2-3 miles along the river. It is a combination of paved and gravel trails with the option of dirt trails that run closer to the water. All of these give you the opportunity to see plenty of birds and the occasional coyote.

  • The American River Bike Trail runs 32 miles from Folsom to Old Sacramento with multiple starting and ending points for those families whose children are more mobile.

  • Sutter’s Fort is a historic state park in Midtown Sacramento that, depending on the time of year, include staff reenactments of the original settlers from the Sacramento region. Admission: $3-5 admission

For low admission fees, Folsom Lake (30 minutes) or Sly Park (75 minutes) offer great day trips as well.

Top Tips for Family Fun Outdoors

Watch out for the heat in the summer if you're not from the Central Valley. Bring extra water and consider checking the air quality before an outing and base your destination accordingly during Fire Season.

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