Sacramento is a rare place in California in that we experience all four seasons in all their glory. The springtime is beautiful with blossoms and mild weather, the summer is hot and dry, the fall is magical with colorful foliage and winter is cold and dark. The best time to be outdoors is the springtime and autumn seasons, but there’s still plenty of opportunities in the winter and summer too. If you happen to visit during our spring rainy season, check out our guide to indoors things to do in Sacramento.

In this Sacramento guide I outline all of our favorite places to be outdoors and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Here in the city we have amazing parks, bike paths, walking trails with river views, historical districts, urban hangout spots and public art.

There’s also a section about excellent days trips from Sacramento if you want to experience snow, apple picking, beaches, hiking, wine tasting, kayaking and more.

Outdoor Parks, Trails and Urban Hikes to Explore in Sacramento

River Walk Park

We just recently explored Sacramento River Walk Park which has a walking trail along the Sacramento River. You can see excellent views of the golden Tower Bridge and you can even cross over into Old Sacramento on foot.

After exploring the trail we headed into Old Sacramento to indulge in some sweets. We pit stopped inside an ice cream parlor to get ice cream cones and caramel dipped apples.

We parked at the West Sacramento trail head located at 651 2nd St, West Sacramento, CA 95605.

Old Sacramento

One of the biggest tourist attractions in Sacramento is the old-timey historically preserved Old Sacramento. Inside these blocks you’ll find scenic river views, antique locomotive trains, restaurants, shops and museums. There’s plenty of places to leisurely stroll and enjoy pleasant weather.

A hidden gem that you may not know of is that Old Sacramento has an underground walking tunnel that connects it to DOCO (Downtown Commons). So you can also do more shopping or find even more food options while enjoying a walk.

William Land Park

During the week you will find me pushing Scout in her stroller all over William Land Park. This park is well-maintained and she loves to run around the grass fields and look at the ducks in the pond. The surrounding East Sacramento neighborhoods are filled with beautiful Tudor style houses for those who appreciate whimsical architecture.

William Land Park also has picnic areas with BBQs, sports fields for soccer and softball, outdoor gym equipment and running paths. If you check it out, don’t forget to take a stroll through the rose gardens too!

California State Capitol Park

Back when my daughter was in daycare full-time, her school was located right next to the California Capital Building. After I would pick her up from school we would walk the loop trail around the capital grounds. Visitors will find beautiful rose gardens, a cactus garden, views of the Capital Building and so much more. In the surrounding neighborhoods there are coffee shops and restaurants offering to-go dining options for an impromptu picnic.

Bike Ride in Discovery Park

This 302-acre park features the Jedediah Smith Bike Trail which goes for 32-miles. You’ll see river views and lots of Sacramento scenery.

Discovery Park also offers picnic tables, archery, boat launching into the American River and fishing.

Wide Open Walls Murals

Sacramento has some of the best public art I’ve ever seen, and much of it is owed to the curation efforts of the organization Wide Open Walls. They commission famous artists to adorn public walls with original murals.

See my complete guide to Sacramento murals on the blog.

Stroll Through the Fab 40’s Neighborhoods

The Oscar nominated film Lady Bird has been called “a love letter to the city of Sacramento” and fans of the movie are very familiar with the East Sacramento neighborhood which has been dubbed “the fab 40’s”.

The streets ranging from the 1200 block on 40th Street to 50th Street are filled with Colonial and Tudor style mansions. These homes are featured in the film Lady Bird and are stunning to see in person. There’s public sidewalks where you can stroll through the neighborhoods and enjoy some memorable views.

Urban Hike Through Downtown & Midtown

I’ve always enjoyed taking long walks and exploring cities on foot. Sacramento’s Downtown and Midtown urban areas are ideal for stroller walks and urban hikes. These tree-lined streets are filled with colorful murals, houses with Victorian architecture, coffee shops serving crafted beverages, juice shops, and boutiques.

My favorite streets and areas to walk are:

In Midtown between J Street and R Street (in the grid between 12th Street and 28th Street).
DOCO (Downtown Commons).
Capital Ave - there’s some beautifully restored old homes on this street.
The Capital Building and Gardens.
My favorite beverage shops - Sun & Soil Juice, Temple Coffee, Insight Coffee, Goodside Coffee and Pete’s Coffee on R Street.

Day Trips From Sacramento

Apple Hill

Apple Hill is a large farming region located in the El Dorado County that is open for visitors to experience farm-to-fork adventures. Although rural Apple Hill feels like a completely different world from urban Sacramento, it’s only a hour drive outside the city. They have u-pick apple orchards, breweries, restaurants, family farm activities and during the holiday season you can cut down your own Christmas tree.

See my complete guide to Apple Hill on the blog.

Chico, CA

I lived in Chico for 5 years while I attended Chico State. During that time I enjoyed so many of the outdoor recreational activities available at Bidwell Park. In my travel guide to Chico I go into detail about bike rides in the park, 8 mile swimming hole, and hiking trails. Chico is located an hour and a half outside of Sacramento.

Hiking & Yankee Jim’s Swimming Hole in Auburn

The Auburn Confluence is a 3.4 mile out and back trail located near Auburn. The trail runs along the Middle Fork American River and is very close to the popular swimming hole Yankee Jims. Both the trailhead and the swimming hole can be found just off the Old Foresthill Road. The swimming hole is located under Foresthill Bridge.

The Auburn Confluence is also a dog-friendly trail and you can bring your dog to the swimming hole! This day trip is about a 30 minute drive outside Sacramento.

See my guide to visiting Auburn in the summertime.

Kayaking on Lake Natoma in Folsom

A few years ago we visited some friends who live in Folsom and we all went kayaking on Lake Natomas. We have been trying to get back there ever since! In the main recreational entrance to Lake Natoma Park there’s kayak rentals available. There’s also bike trails, picnic areas and BBQs. This day trip is also about a 30 minute drive outside Sacramento.

San Francisco

If you’re up for the drive, San Francisco is about a 1.5 hour drive from Sacramento (give or take with traffic). This iconic city by the bay needs no introduction and has endless places to explore outdoors. On this blog I have several San Francisco guides including:

Napa Valley & Sonoma

Another place that really doesn’t need an introduction is the world famous California wine region. To get to Napa from Sacramento is just over an hour drive and the places to hang outdoors are endless. So many wineries have open air tastings and vineyards where visitors are welcome. On the blog I have a cheat sheet with the best spots for Napa Valley picnics.

Lake Tahoe

If you’re really wanting a winter holiday snow day or a summer lake swimming day, Lake Tahoe is your best bet. It is a 2 hour drive one-way, so you’d have to really willing to make the haul (of course you can opt for a weekend stay overnight). Lake Tahoe is the outdoor playground for Sacramento locals, a favorite place for many to escape the city life and head into the mountains.