Daytrips from Sacramento
 

My evenings will be at California Musical Theater - Music Circus, but I have four days free during the day to explore. I've been to San Francisco several times. I suppose I could always go back to the Napa area. But where else could I go that will still get me back in time for the evening performances?

If you got up very early - you could drive to beautiful lake Tahoe (2 hours or so from Sacto if you didn't hit traffic).

You could also drive up to by Placerville and take hiway 49 is it - over through Gold Country.

You could also take a float trip down the American River - right in Sacto.

And nearby Folsom has a cute downtown area - old Victorian buildings from the Gold Rush days.

Tahoe makes no sense since presumably you'll need to be back downtown before curtain.

Neither does SF or Napa really since you are talking 3.5 to 4 hours just car time round trip.

There is a lot right IN Sacramento. The Crocker art gallery is really wonderful and quite large - worth a couple of hours. The California State railroad museum is world famous.

If you are into biking you can ride the entire American River trail - or any part of it between Sacramento and Folsom. Instead of Napa, there are vineyards and wineries just across the river in clarksburg. The Old Sugar Mill is a cort of co-op where several wineries have tasting rooms at one location. Or drive out SE to Plymouth in el dorado county which the center of a vast wine region with just TONS of vineyards.

All good ideas from Tomsd. If it rains and you don't want to leave the city for the day, walk around Old Town Sacramento and see the California Railroad Museum. The Capitol grounds and even the inside of the Capitol are interesting.
The #42 (A or B) YOLO bus will get you to the airport or Davis.
You can rent a car downtown during regular hours. If you need the car earlier you have to go to the airport on the YOLO bus.
My favorite HI Hostel is the Victorian mansion on the NW corner of 10th & H across the street from City Hall.
My new favorite breakfast place is Jim Denny's on 12th St. between H and I. (Check the days they are open).
They are famous for the hubcap pancake with spokes. Adam Richman of Man v. Food did have a breakfast there.

If you have a car you could drive to the Delta area and do some wine tasting-
I have been to the Bogle winery which I enjoyed and the Old Sugar Mill which has several vendors pouring wine
You might be able to find a wine tour to go with

http://www.sunset.com/travel/califor...cramento-delta

When will you be here in Sacramento? There may be some fun events. The Old Sugar Mill has a few fun happenings this summer.

Mini GTG at the Sugar Mill?

>>If it rains . . . << -- not bloody likely :) (Tom, when was the last time you were in Sacramento in the summer and it rained???)

(we could pray for a summer shower, but ain't gonna happen)

No idea why Janis is again being so persnickity.

Driving to Tahoe and back in a day is doable - a pretty drive and then a stunning view of the incredibly blue lake.

And good ideas Tomf.

It was a welcome sight to see it rain in Central Oregon this morning. We had been without a drop for more than 2 weeks.
I'm sure it does rain in Sacramento sometimes.
There is a good hiking/bike path along the Sacramento River.

One option would be to drive from Sacramento and reach Hwy 49 to take in some of the Mother Lode Gold Rush Country and then up Hwy 4 to Calaveras Big Trees State Park. One way trip is about 95 miles. This route will take you past Sutter Creek, Angels Camp to name a few, and take Hwy 4 up to Calaveras Big Trees State park to see the Giant Sequoias.

http://www.historichwy49.com/mainmap.html

http://www.parks.ca.gov/mediagallery/?page_id=551

Utahtea

>>There is a good hiking/bike path along the Sacramento River.<<

We agree on that: >>If you are into biking you can ride the entire American River trail - or any part of it between Sacramento and Folsom.<<

>>We had been without a drop for more than 2 weeks.
I'm sure it does rain in Sacramento sometimes.<<

There is a HUGE difference between central Oregon and the Sacramento Valley. I guess it is just that you weren't aware of when the Music Circus runs . . .

Folks who live hundreds of miles from Sacramento likely haven't done these drives lately. Downtown Sacramento to south shore Lake Tahoe takes approx 2 hours to 2 hr 15 minutes each way. And to North shore (Kings Beach) takes almost <u>exactly</u> the same. (Either route can sometimes take significantly longer depending on traffic.) I live in a NE suburb of Sacramento and own a condo at Incline Village on Lake Tahoe and do these drives very frequently.

Assuming you need to be back in Sacramento by 6:30 to freshen up for 7:30 curtain . . . well you do the math. The main problem is you'd need to leave after 9AM and be back before 4PM - or be stuck in commute traffic through Roseville/Sacramento. Yes, it can be done. But when you need to be back so early - there are just so many other, nearer things.

Re utahtea's suggestion; The Plymouth I mentioned is along the same hwy 49 in Gold Rush Country. That part of hwy 49 is doable (through Amador City and Sutter Creek). But from Downtown the drive to Calaveras Big Trees also takes about 2 hours.

The northern and middle bits of hwy 49 are better possibilities. Auburn/Nevada City to the north and Placerville/Coloma in the middle.

Each of the places I've suggested are approx 1 hour from Sacramento (except for Plymouth which is maybe 45 minutes)

Everyplace suggested so far is 'worthwhile' - just depends if you want to spend 4 hours in the car just getting there and back.

In one hour you could drive down to the old town of Benecia, once the state capital. There are a number of antique shops as well as several glassblowing ateliers, which we really like. Art is big in Benecia! Several good restaurants too, including an excellent Thai spot. You can visit the original statehouse and a lovely old church. One big advantage of going to Benecia is that it's a lot cooler than Sacramento in the summer months.

Oh, yes, I keep forgetting about Benicia -- haven't been there in about 5 years.

Here is a link to the Clarksburg wine growing area just down River from Sacto. Old Sugar Mill, Bogle, Miner's Leap are some of the fun wineries to hit.

http://www.clarksburgwinecountry.com

janisj, Mea culpa about the spelling of the town!

If you do rent a car for a day or two - from Sacto to the first turnoff to Gold Country/hiway 49 - it's only about 15-20 minutes - at about Folsom- the East? Bidwell exit as I recall. Get a good map if you are going to be driving around.

Placerville is about another 20 minutes up hiway 50 - but you can cut over by Folsom - to go to Gold Country.

Getting to Tahoe - is 2 hours and change - as I mentioned - and if it were me - I would be up early - as in 5 AM or so - grab a cup of coffee and be on the way and have breakfast overlooking the lake.

Drive around the lake - whatever - and then time your return as necessary.

You could go up to Nevada City and to Empire Mine State park in Grass Valley. It is very historical and it is a great way to spend a day. It's not a bad drive from Sacramento.

Oh my, I just noticed all your wonderful responses. I can't wait to research each one in detail. There are a ton of possibilities here - thank you all SO much. I love bike riding, but I just wonder how it would be considering the heat. Does anyone know, is it relatively flat? I will be renting a vehicle. I love the idea of a mini-GTG! Anyone up for that? Napster is in the area. Thanks too for the restaurant suggestions. My favorite in the past has been Bacon and Butter!

I second the vote for Empire Mine in Grass Valley! It's a beautiful area.........

When will you be here?