Six Night Mild Adventure Itinerary
South
DAY ONE: Sacramento
With 250+ sunny days a year, Sacramento is ideal for easy outdoor adventures from biking or walking the American River Parkway to sunset strolls along the Sacramento River. Explore mural-lined neighborhoods or add a touch of culture with a visit to the Crocker Art Museum or the California State Railroad Museum.
Bike the American River Parkway
One of the best ways to see the beauty of the Sacramento region is by bike. Pedal more than 32 miles of scenic paved trail along the American River Parkway, stretching from Old Sacramento to Folsom. Hop on the trail at many different points.
City Cruises
Enjoy a scenic river cruise along the Sacramento River, with options ranging from sightseeing tours to cocktail cruises and special event sailing.
Take a Sunset Walk Along the Sacramento River
Enjoy a peaceful evening stroll in Old Sacramento with breathtaking sunset views of Tower Bridge and downtown skyline. Explore the 28-acre Historic Landmark District to California’s state capital filled with shopping, dining, entertainment, and exploring options for everyone.
Local tip:
The California State Railroad Museum is one of the best railroad museums in North America, this museum showcases beautifully restored locomotives and immersive exhibits on how trains shaped California’s history.
DAY TWO: Amador
Tucked into the rolling foothills east of Sacramento, Amador welcomes visitors with its scenic vineyards, walkable historic towns, serene lakes, and family-friendly outdoor experiences. Wander through storybook Main Streets in Sutter Creek and Jackson, explore fascinating cave systems and quiet forest trails, or unwind at one of the region’s award-winning wineries.
Rail Explorers– Ride the rails in style! Hop aboard a rail bike on the historic Amador Central Railroad, originally the Ione & Eastern line built in 1904 and enjoy an effortless 8-mile round-trip journey powered by custom-built REX electric motors. Suitable for all ages and abilities, this relaxing ride takes you to a scenic turnaround overlooking the old Newton Copper Mine (est. 1863). Bring a drink and a snack to enjoy as you soak in the view.
Explore Amador County’s underground wonders with a visit to Black Chasm Cavern a National Natural Landmark known for its rare helictite formations, beautiful, gravity-defying crystals found in only a handful of caves worldwide. Guided tours take you deep into shimmering chambers filled with stunning limestone formations and a tranquil blue lake, offering an easy, accessible underground adventure for all ages.
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park is a peaceful spot to stretch your legs and connect with Gold Country’s Native American history. The easy 0.9-mile Loop Trail winds through meadows and oak woodlands and is suitable for all skill levels. Along the way, you can see the park’s remarkable marbled limestone outcropping, featuring more than 1,100 mortar holes, one of the largest collections of its kind in North America. It’s a gentle walk with a fascinating cultural twist.
Local tip:
Amador was once home to some of the richest and deepest hard-rock gold mines in the world, including the legendary Kennedy and Argonaut mines, which plunged more than a mile underground.
DAY THREE: Calaveras
Made famous by Mark Twain today Calaveras County welcomes adventure-seekers with its perfect blend of Gold Country charm and Sierra Nevada scenery. Explore caverns and towering sequoias, wander historic downtowns, paddle serene alpine lakes, or hike through rolling foothills with big mountain views. Whether you’re chasing easy outdoor thrills or discovering quirky local gems, Calaveras offers a relaxed, choose-your-adventure vibe.
North Grove Loop Big Trees State Park:
Calaveras Big Trees State Park is named for the spectacular giant sequoia trees, the largest trees in the world, that were first discovered here. Once the world knew of their existence, demand to see the Giant Sequoias was immediate. Tourists began arriving at the Calaveras North Grove by 1853, and historians believe that the North Grove is the longest continuously operating tourist attraction in California, and perhaps anywhere west of the Mississippi.
Originally known as Mammoth Cave, California Cavern is the state’s first show cave and its longest cavern system. Guided tours (45–80 minutes depending on the season) lead you through winding passageways and multiple chambers filled with stunning crystalline formations—stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, cave popcorn, and more—while sharing the cavern’s fascinating history and early use.
Experience sweeping views from Mt. Diablo to the high Sierra, then drop into shaded canyons lined with creeks, old-growth forests, and rocky overlooks. Along the way, you’ll find acorn grinding rocks, wildlife, a waterfall, and a scenic lake, all within the Stanislaus National Forest’s Interface region. Explore the highlights of this trail system by bike or on foot and discover something new around every turn.
Local Tip:
Did you know Calaveras County helped launch Mark Twain’s career? A tall tale he heard in Angels Camp inspired his breakout story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Today, you can still visit the historic town that sparked it all and even catch the annual Jumping Frog Jubilee each May. This is a quirky, only-in-Calaveras tradition that brings Twain’s legacy to life in the most entertaining way.
DAY FOUR: Tuolumne
Tuolumne County invites visitors to slow down and savor California’s Gold Country,just one of the four treasured gateways into Yosemite National Park. Explore the character-filled towns of Sonora, Jamestown, and Columbia, where wooden boardwalks, stagecoaches, and old saloons bring Gold Rush stories to life. When you’re ready for mild adventure, the county’s low-elevation lakes, rivers, and scenic trails offer year-round outdoor fun without the crowds or extreme conditions.
Hiking There are hundreds of trails to choose from and although snow can limit some, other trails are open year-round and include places like Yosemite National Park, the Stanislaus National Forest and in the historic town of Sonora. Guided hikes are available from local outfitters.
Fly-fishing – Echo Adventure Cooperative is a worker-owned and Certified B-Corp guide service, offers socially and environmentally sustainable fly-fishing along with kayaking, sightseeing, backpacking, and adaptive adventures for all ages and abilities in Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest.
Horseback Riding/Pack Trips Experience the High Sierra the way the settlers first saw it – on horseback! From a leisurely half-hour ride to an adventuresome week-long pack trip into the Emigrant Wilderness, you’ll see the best of the Sierra from the best seat in the house – your saddle!
Local Tip:
Step inside the Fallon House Theatre, a charming 1860 Gold Rush–era venue where Sierra Repertory Theatre brings live plays and musicals to life. This intimate, wooden-walled gem offers a rare chance to experience modern performances in an authentic 19th-century setting.
DAY FIVE: Mariposa
When you travel to Yosemite Mariposa County, you’re free to roam thousands of square miles in and out of Yosemite National Park filled with photogenic historic small towns, fishing, rafting, mountain biking and more.
Drift lazily down the Merced River to view the iconic scenery of Yosemite Valley, or experience the high speeds and adrenaline rushes of whitewater rafting on a rafting trip led by expert guides in the spring and early summer after high country snow melts.
Hiking in Yosemite
No trip to Mariposa is complete without time on the trails in Yosemite. Start with the iconic Tunnel View, where you’ll get that classic, breathtaking panorama of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. From there, stretch your legs on the Bridalveil Fall Trail, a short and rewarding walk to the base of one of the park’s most famous waterfalls. Then spend time exploring Yosemite Valley’s waterfall hikes, where easy-to-moderate trails lead you to roaring cascades, misty viewpoints, and some of the most unforgettable scenery in the park.
Play a Historic Round at Yosemite’s Wawona Golf Course
Step onto the first regulation golf course ever built in the Sierra Nevada! Open since 1918, Yosemite’s Wawona Golf Course is a scenic, nine-hole, par-35 gem tucked right across from the iconic Wawona Hotel. Designed to blend naturally into the surrounding meadows and pines, it offers a peaceful yet playful challenge for golfers of all levels. A perfect way to slow down, soak in Yosemite’s beauty, and brag that you’ve golfed inside a national park!
Local Tip:
Mariposa is home to the state’s oldest courthouse still in continuous use (built in 1854). Cases are still heard there today. Step inside and you’ll find original woodwork, historic artifacts, and a living connection to Gold Rush era justice.
DAY SIX: Madera
Madera is the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. A fun-filled region of outdoor adventures, wine tasting, fishing, historic museums, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Bass Lake is a family vacation must, with something to entertain everyone. Discover fishing, hiking, biking trails, wakeboarding, kayaking, paddle boarding, camping, you name it!
Hiking and Biking at Bass Lake
Enjoy fishing, hiking, and biking at Bass Lake, or slow things down with a good book on a sandy beach. Want to get out on the water? Rent a speedboat for a day of watersports, or gather your besties for a laid-back sunset cruise on a patio boat. With swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating all in one place, Bass Lake makes it easy to find your perfect lake day.
Glamping at Sierra Meadows Glamping Resort
This resort in Ahwahnee, a former golf course, is “rewilding” with natural biodiversity reclaiming the land. Guests can stay in “Insta-worthy” Micro Cabins, explore artistic sculpture installations, and enjoy bike and walking trails through the art sculpture garden.
Art Classes at Yosemite Gateway Art Center
Unleash creativity through guided art sessions like the Pine Needle Basket Making. The two-day workshop is for ages 12 and up and is suitable for all levels, with all materials provided.
Local tip:
Craving a sweet treat? Reimer’s Candies, Ice Cream & Gifts is the stop! Reimer’s crafts small-batch ice cream from scratch using Real California fresh cream, and it shows in every scoop. Fan-favorite flavors like Three Rivers Wild Blackberry, Honey Lavender, and Orange Sherbet shine with locally grown fruit, flowers, honey, and nuts—making each taste a true slice of the Sierra. One scoop easily turns into two… trust us.