SACRAMENTO COUNTY

Area Summary:

Home to Sacramento International Airport, and only 90 miles from San Francisco International Airport, Sacramento County is the perfect starting point for Gold Country adventure. Sacramento County boasts big city fun and a fabulous food and drink scene – it is, after all, America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital. World-class museums, including the California State Railroad Museum and Crocker Art Museum, historic districts Old Sacramento and Folsom’s Historic District evoke Gold Rush culture. Add to that a stellar collection of art galleries, top-tier festivals, theatre and music venues, and professional sports, and you have the makings of a distinct California Gold Country vacation.

The cities of Sacramento, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova, connected by Highway 50 and the American River Parkway Trail, invite exploration.

Sacramento

Sacramento, California’s capital city, enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild temperatures year-round. Once the “beer capital of the west,” Sacramento’s craft beer scene has reemerged with more than 70 regional craft breweries to explore. For those looking for the next great wine region, Sacramento may be the best-kept secret. The Sacramento region and surrounding counties are home to more than 200 wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms, and most are within an hour’s drive or less from downtown.

Folsom

The City of Folsom is located 20 miles east of Sacramento and halfway between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. Distinctive by nature, Folsom’s rich and colorful history dates back to the 1850’s Gold Rush. Settled along the shores of Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma Folsom boasts endless recreational opportunities, cultural venues, and historical sites. You may find recreation enthusiasts enjoying over 50 miles of recreational trails, paddling or water skiing, the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, 46 parks, a year-round Aquatic Center, or golfing at the scenic Empire Ranch Golf Course. After a day of fun, stroll around the shops in the Folsom Historic District, Palladio at Broadstone, and Folsom Premium Outlets, or find yourself enjoying a cold drink and great food at one of Folsom’s delicious restaurants.

Rancho Cordova

International by nature, Rancho Cordova, a city where over 70 languages are spoken, brings a multi-cultural California vibe to the region. This influences the festivals visitors find in Rancho Cordova, along with the art and cuisine. This city offers fantastic lodging options, exceptional diverse dining choices, and the renowned Barrel District, a collection of craft breweries, distilleries and a meadery. For outdoor recreation, the city is flanked by the American River Parkway, which offers rafting and kayaking during the summer, and fishing, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing year-round. For families, the Sacramento Children’s Museum, Nimbus Fish Hatchery and Mather Vernal Pools are located in Rancho Cordova.

Elk Grove

Situated in the heart of Northern California, and a short 30 minutes from Downtown Sacramento, you’ll find Elk Grove. A tech-savvy city with a small-town feel, Elk Grove is diverse, personable, and never too busy for the finer things in life. Visit the historic Old Town to find the origins of the city and get a taste of our thriving culinary scene. Explore the Corks and Caps of Elk Grove for local gems of some of the state’s best local microbreweries and boutique wineries, nestled between three of California’s most notable wine regions— Napa, Amador, and Lodi. If you appreciate the outdoors, in and around Elk Grove, nature-lovers can explore a wide variety of terrains and trails by visiting the Cosumnes River Preserve or Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge both only a 20-minute drive from the city.