Seven Night Culinary Itinerary
North
DAY ONE: Sacramento
Sacramento is America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital and the only star on the map of California. The city is buzzing with things to taste, see, and savor. We invite you to pick your pleasure, whether it’s our farm-fresh restaurants, plentiful farmers markets, home-grown breweries, colorful street murals, Gold Rush-era family attractions, or a sunset walk along the river.
Ranked the #1 farmers market in California, the Midtown Farmers Market is a year-round staple in the heart of Sacramento. With over 200 local farmers and vendors, it’s the perfect place to experience the region’s incredible bounty.
Oak Park, considered Sacramento’s first suburb, is also the city’s historically black neighborhood. The centerpiece is 40-Acre Complex, home to the Guild Theater, Fixin’s soul food restaurant and Underground Books.
Head back to midtown Sacramento and check out one of its vibrant wine bars:
- The Rind
- Betty
- Alma
- 58 Degrees
Or drive down the Delta to Bogle Family Vineyards
A family-owned winery in nearby Clarksburg, Bogle is known for award-winning varietals and a welcoming tasting room surrounded by scenic vineyards.
Dinner:
- The first Sacramento restaurant to earn a Michelin star, The Kitchen Restaurant offers an interactive six-course prix-fixe menu in an open-kitchen setting, showcasing the best seasonal ingredients.
- A Michelin-rated downtown favorite inside the Citizen Hotel, Grange Restaurant and Bar showcases seasonal, locally sourced ingredients with a modern twist.
- A stylish yet approachable restaurant on Capitol Mall, Camden Spit & Larder serves elevated comfort food and craft cocktails with a British flair
Local tip:
Old Sacramento Waterfront, the 28-acre Historic Landmark District to California’s state capital, is a bustling neighborhood along the beautiful Sacramento River filled with shopping, dining, entertainment, and exploring options for everyone.
DAY TWO: Elk Grove
In the heart of California, Elk Grove is nestled between wine country and the waterways of the California Delta. A tech-savvy city with a small-town feel, Elk Grove is diverse, inviting, and never too busy for the finer things in life.
Known for intimate ambiance, the Boulevard Bistro offers a fine dining experience in the heart of Historic Main Street. Guests can also enjoy a curated selection of local Christopher Cellars wines, perfectly paired with each dish.
Chef Marie of Todo Un Poco Bistro fuses Mexican and Italian flavors into inventive dishes like Chicken Mole Tortellini and Punjabi Pizza. Todo Un Poco’s farm-to-fork philosophy is exemplified through their partnership with Cliff’s Garden, just a few miles from the bistro.
McConnell Estates Winery is an award-winning, family-owned and operated winery in Elk Grove. For six generations, the Wackman family has farmed the land just north of the Cosumnes River, with the fifth and sixth generations now producing 20+ estate-grown wines.
Sheldon Inn Restaurant & Bar pairs historic charm with modern American cuisine. On-site, guests can visit the intimate Adkins Family Winery and uncover the hidden speakeasy, Velvet Martini.
Dragon Beaux at Sky River Casino serves as a gathering place to enjoy Cantonese roast meats and traditional Chinese cooking.
Local tip:
Step back in time at the Elk Grove Stage & Shop Museum, a preserved 19th-century stage stop that once served travelers along the historic route.
DAY THREE: Rancho Cordova
Over 90 languages are spoken among Rancho Cordova’s 80,000 residents, and this cultural melting pot is reflected in the city’s international cuisine! From American classics and fresh Japanese dishes to Mediterranean bites and Vietnamese cafes, you’ll find dining options in Rancho Cordova to satisfy every palate and budget!
Enjoy a delicious brunch at Mimosa House, a local favorite serving up customizable mimosa flights and delicious breakfast plates. Sweet and savory crepes, stacks of pancakes, breakfast burritos, sandwiches and more await your hungry group.
Located next to the American River, the sprawling Soil Born Farms connects the Gold Country region with healthy, locally-grown food. On Saturday mornings, visitors can enjoy Phoebe’s Café for brunch and stop by their farmers market to purchase fresh produce.
Sample the world’s flavors at KP International Market, where you’ll find snacks, baked goods, and unique produce from around the world. Stop by their food court for lunch and take your pick from several global dishes.
Rancho Cordova’s Barrel District is a collection of locations serving up award-winning craft brews, cocktails, wine, and even mead. Most locations offer daily food truck schedules, weekly pub trivia, and events like concerts or standup comedy.
Local Tip:
If you’re looking for something special, make a reservation at Il Forno Classico, a popular date-night destination for Italian dishes. With large serving sizes and an extensive collection of wines, you’ll find romance and a delicious menu to round out your trip.
DAY FOUR: Folsom
Culinary delights await at every corner of Folsom. Explore a vibrant tapestry of restaurants, from quaint coffee shops offering rich blends to innovative eateries crafting culinary masterpieces. Embark on a gastronomic journey through the diverse and delectable dining scene.
Enjoy breakfast at Karen’s Bakery Café. Beloved by locals, the in-house pastry chefs transform every cake and cookie into a hand-decorated masterpiece — tailored to your occasion and irresistible whether savored in the café or taken home.
Explore the Historic Sutter Street
Known as the ‘heart’ of Folsom, the Historic District began in the 1850’s. Gold prospectors, settlers and the Pony Express rode through the center of town. Today, shops, tasting rooms, galleries and music venues make it a must-stop in Gold Country
Wine Tasting at Willamette Wineworks
Considered a microwinery, Wilamette Wineworks is a wine, blending and food experience created by Willamette Valley Vineyards. The unique hands-on wine-blending experience will allow our guests to learn more about the process of winemaking and enjoy their own wine creation.
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Snooks Candies & Chocolate Factory. Here confections are crafted in full view, allowing the public to watch the magic unfold.
For a unique tasting experience, visit the Gekkeikan Tasting Room & Japanese Garden. The facility crafts award-winning sake using time-honored methods and the region’s high-quality water. The Tasting Room is the perfect way to savor a locally produced and unique beverage while enjoying a taste of Japanese culture and tradition.
Dinner suggestions
Fourk Kitchen – The Fourk Four-Course Experience blends fine dining with a touch of fun putting the spotlight on their chefs. Enjoy bold seasonal menus infused with fresh ingredients and local inspiration. No two visits are the same.
Mystique Dining – Mystique Venues offers gourmet dinner followed by an evening of magic presented by world-class magicians and performers.
Local Tip:
The Folsom Zoo Sanctuary is a haven for dozens of rescued wild and domestic animals, including two lifelong bear companions, Herby and Matilda.
DAY FIVE: Placer County
Everything from the produce on the plate to the hops in the glass are grown nearby. In a region surrounded by farmland, chefs, winemakers, brewers and distillers have the luxury of sourcing from local farms and ranches.
Enjoy brunch among the garden at The Flower Farm Café
Flower Farm Cafe is a farm‐style café located on a working farm in Loomis. It’s part of a larger property that includes gardens, citrus orchards, a nursery & gift shop, a tasting room (Casque Wines), an events barn, and a historic inn. Enjoy breakfast and lunch in the garden setting amongst willow trees.
Explore the Placer Wine and Ale Trail
- Wineries – With more than 20 wineries and counting, Placer County has re-embraced its heritage as a premium California wine-producing region.
- Breweries: Placer County is quickly becoming an epicenter for craft beer in the region. A unique feature of Placer County is the growing number of “Farm Breweries” that are on more rural settings and grow their own hops.
Lunch at High-Hand Nursery, Café and Brewery
High Hand, operating on the site of the historic Loomis fruit sheds, offers an extensive nursery, café and brewery as well as several specialty shops and art gallery. Stroll through the nursery, explore the shops and art gallery in the historic fruit sheds, and enjoy lunch in the garden setting.
Browse PlacerGROWN Farmers’ Markets and Farmstands
There is Farmers’ Market almost every day of the week in Placer County. Year-round Farmers’ Markets on Saturday in Auburn, Sunday in Lincoln and Tuesday in Roseville, in addition to other seasonal markets and farmstands.
Dinner at Restaurant Josephine
Restaurant Josephine offers a refined dining experience blending French and Eastern European influences. Tucked into the historic Odd Fellows No. 7 Lodge, Restaurant Josephine’s seasonal menu highlights ingredients from local producers, including their own Four Tines Farm.
Local Tip:
Hidden Falls Regional Park, with 30 miles of multi-use trail, is located in the heart of the Placer Wine and Ale Trail. Combine a hike with wine or beer tasting for a day of adventure.
DAY SIX: Nevada County
From snowcapped peaks to beautiful foothills in the heart of California’s Gold Country, Nevada County’s diverse landscape is home to quaint mountain towns and small gems that will keep you coming back.
Start your culinary adventure at Bierwagens Donner Trail Fruit and Pumpkin Patch and Happy Apple Kitchen, a family-owned and operated farm since 1902. The Bierwagen family grows, produces, and curates fruits and vegetables from other area farms. Their promise – “we won’t sell you anything we wouldn’t love ourselves.”
Step back in time at the Golden Era Cocktail Bar and Lounge, where history and hospitality blend. Housed in a building that has been serving libations since 1856, this charming venue boasts a cocktail menu with handcrafted drinks made with house-made syrups and bitters, paying homage to the golden age of cocktails.
Nestled in the heart of Grass Valley, Thirsty Barrel Taphouse & Grille offers a vibrant destination for craft beverage enthusiasts and those seeking a lively atmosphere. With 30 rotating taps featuring local craft beers and a curated selection of wines, there's always something new to savor.
Dinner Options:
The Stonehouse was originally built in 1850 as a brewery, but after a fire in 1856 it was immediately reconstructed by Chinese immigrants, who painstakingly quarried granite blocks stone by stone.
Twelve 28 Kitchen is warm & comfortable social gathering place where their passion is on food that they make from the heart and the people they get to enjoy it with.
Local tip:
Take the Nevada City Audio Walking Tour, plus stop into the historic Nevada Theater – the oldest continuously operated theatre venue on the West Coast.
DAY SEVEN: Sierra County
The mountains are calling! Sierra County is a year-round adventure paradise with gorgeous lakes for summer recreation and a hidden playground for winter.
Start your day with a hearty breakfast or lunch at the Cold Rush Café in Downieville. This spot is also known for its coffee and ice cream, perfect for a midday treat.
Located in a historic building, the speakeasy-style Boomtown Lounge offers local Sierra Foothill wines, craft beers, and specialty cocktails. The backyard space often features live music and is a great place to relax by a fire pit
Empire Creek Provisions, located next to Cold Rush Cafe, this shop is great for grabbing gourmet picnic supplies like artisanal cheeses, breads, and other snacks for your adventures
Red Moose Cafe and The Sierra Country Store Deli is known for their breakfasts and lunches through the summer serving up huge sandwiches, burgers and more. Both popular stops for the many PCT hikers that come through town (a halfway point on the trail).
Take it up a notch with a hearty breakfast or a fine dining dinner experience at Sierra Pines Resort Restaurant, Bar and Hotel on the Yuba River, an historic property with scenic views of the Buttes or dine pond-side watching the many trout dance.
Another fine dining experience is on the shores of the beautiful, Alp-like Sardine Lake. Start with a cocktail at Poor George’s bar on the dock at the lake, then head into dinner.
Local tip:
Unwind at the Sierra Hot Springs. For centuries, Indigenous Peoples have regarded this land as a sacred healing place and now visitors can take part in these relaxing treatments.