Sacramento Summer Fun

9 Ways to spend your summer in Sacramento

Whether you are new to Sacramento, or you are a long time local/native of the area, Sacramento has a plethora of activities just waiting to be discovered. If you need some ideas on how to spend your valuable summer time, then you should definitely read on.

Explore the History of Sacramento

The capital of California has a rich and storied history. One of my favorite places to visit and discover new things is in Old Sacramento. I have lived in the Greater Sacramento area for most of my life and, until recently, I had never gone on one of the Underground Tours of Old Sacramento. The Underground Tours are incredibly interesting. You are guided through the depths of Old Sacramento by a woman, or man, dressed in the garb of the late 1800’s. They teach you how the citizens raised the entire city to avoid the devastating floods that came through every few years.

You can also visit Sutter’s Fort in Downtown Sacramento. In 1839, a Swiss immigrant, named John Sutter, received a land grant in the Sacramento Valley from the Mexican government. This became the earliest settlement in California’s central valley. A visit here will transport you back in time to the gold rush era. You can speak with the people of the times and hear their stories. You can visit all of the old shops, living spaces, and work spaces. If you time your visit just right you might even be able to see them shoot the canon off.

Explore the Culture of Sacramento

Sacramento has some great museums. In Old Sacramento you will find the world-renowned California State Railroad Museum. This museum sees over 500,000 visitors annually. Throughout the main building there are 21 meticulously restored locomotives and cars and numerous exhibits which illustrate how railroads have shaped people’s lives, the economy, and the unique culture of California and the West.  Kids love exploring the trains and adults can appreciate the beauty and history of these fabulous machines.

The Crocker Art Museum is one of my favorite places to explore in Sacramento. The museum was established in 1885 and is the first public art museum founded in the western United States. The original museum is in the old mansion owned by E.B. Crocker, a wealthy banker and landowner, and his wife Margaret Crocker. The art is amazing, but even just walking through this gorgeous mansion is satisfying. In 2010 there was a major expansion and now the museum has more than doubled in size. This place never gets old. They are constantly updating the exhibits, and bringing in new art for everyone in the city of Sacramento to enjoy.

Catch a Ballgame

The Sacramento River Cats play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. The River Cats play their games at Raley Field in West Sacramento and they are a blast for the whole family. The stadium is a great place to see a game and the team is really fun to watch. The River Cats are consistently one of the best teams in the minor league system. The people of Sacramento certainly love their sports teams and the River Cats are no different.

There is a new professional sport in town. Sacramento now has a professional soccer team! The Sacramento Republic FC inaugural 2014 season has been a great success. Every game so far has sold out and the team is receiving tremendous support from the community. If you love soccer, make sure to catch a game this summer.

Water Sports!

Sacramento is a great city for water sports. Whether is rafting on the river or boating on one of the lakes, Sacramento has something to do to beat the heat.

One of my favorite summer activities is rafting down the American River. It is lazy river rafting at it’s finest. Soak in the all of the scenery and wildlife on a beautiful cruise down the river. The rapids never get too rough so it’s great for the family as well.
Go kayaking on Lake Natoma at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center. You can rent kayaks, stand up paddle boards, canoes, and water bike paddle boats. You can paddle for hours and never reach the other end of the lake!

Folsom Lake is a great place for boating. The lake is large, although it’s a bit low after a draught year.   Folsom Lake is just east of Sacramento but has always been a popular destination for locals looking for ways to stay cool.

If you are new to the area, hopefully you used Real Property Management Select to find the perfect home for you and your family. If you are planning to move to the area, please check out our website propertymanagementselect.com so we can help you find a home that will fit all of your needs. Either way, I hope you are able to get out and enjoy all the fantastic sights, culture, and activities that Sacramento has to offer.