Seeing Sacramento & Beyond
Exploring a City with a Small-Town Feel and World of PotentialArchive for Family Fun
Fall in Love with February
Sacramento's Historic Crest Theatre
Health First – To detoxify, soothe and pamper your entire being body, mind and soul, take a few gulps from the Fountain of Health and find that radiant you – Anytime. http://sacramento.downtowngrid.com/directory/view/entry/20666
Wallet and Family Friendly – Why not take advantage of these four letters (F-R-E-E) and attend Sac’s 14th Annual Free Museum Day?! – February 4. www.sacmuseums.org
Culture at Hand – Get a real visual of what makes Sacramento authentic by attending the 12th Annual A Place Called Sacramento Film Festival – February 2. www.accesssacramento.org
Belly Full of Beer – And watch for an up-close look at the upcoming 3rd Annual Sacramento Beer Week – February 24th – March 4th, www.sacramentobeerweek.com
For much more click and go: www.Sacramento365.com
Time Traveling & Good ol’ Fashion Family Fun
Every time I turn around these days it seems Old Sacramento has something new up its sleeve. This time it’s the Silent Movie Festival happening every Saturday evening through July and August. Not enough to get your interest piqued just yet? Image… old time movies from 1900-1929, audience involvement and sing-alongs, period performers with music, mini skits and comedic acts, and each Saturday night offering something different – from early dramas and comedies to fantasies and more! More than you imagined? Me too. Eagle Theatre, 7PM, $5.
Wait, there’s still more: Time Travel Weekends in Old Sac, which is a free street theatre program with live roaming entertainment, 11AM-5PM, through August.
916-808-7059, www.historicoldsac.org/timetravel
May Madness: So Much to See & Do in Sac & Beyond!
If April showers bring May flowers, then what do May flowers bring?
FUN, of course~
OUTDOOR CONCERTS
Announcing the kick-off the 20th season of Friday Night Concerts in the Park.
May 6th and every Friday night, 5-9PM, through August 12.
Cesar Chavez Park, Downtown
www.SacFridayConcerts.com
ART & WINE AFFAIR
20 area wineries, artists, vendors, live entertainment.
Saturday & Sunday, May 7 & 8, 11-4PM
El Dorado Hills
916-802-6924, www.eldoradohillsartaffaire.com
PIXAR COLLECTION
Disney Fine Art by Collectors Editions presents the Pixar Collection worldwide debut — One Day Only!
Sunday, May 15, 11AM to 4PM
California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento State Historic Park
916-445-6645, www.csrmf.org
NATURE TOURS
Delta Eco-Tours – Take a short or long nature and cultural history tour of California’s best and most breathtaking locations along the Sacramento Delta.
Saturday, May 21, 2-hour History & Riparian Cruise
Saturday, May 28, 4-1/2 hour Tule Wilderness Adventure
Delta Ecotours/Hartland Nursery
13737 Grand Island Road (P.O. Box 439), Walnut Grove, CA 95690
(916) 775-4545, www.DeltaEcoTours.com
HISTORY TOURS
Gold Rush Legacy Tours and Old Sacramento Architectural Tours begin in May and go all summer long.
Saturdays & Sundays at 11AM
916-808-7059, www.historicoldsac.org
And for more ongoing, engaging and special events check out www.Sacramento365.com!
New Year’s Eve: Not Just for Adults Anymore
What to do, oh, what to do for New Years?? How many times do we ask ourselves this question? Well, if you’re in the Sacramento area, why not try something a wee bit different?!
Sacramento is pretty well known for her rivers, and summertime fun includes boating, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, kayaking, fishing, rafting, and all sorts of other sunshine fun. But this is winter (need I remind myself? I’m wearing a woolen hat), and luckily, no one need stay indoors who prefers not.
For some wholesome family fun – especially if you’re a burger fanatic – SUZIE BURGER on the edge of Downtown is hosting an early New Year’s countdown at 9PM. You can watch the live Times Square ball drop with noise makers and party hats under a stream of streamers and balloons… And then not feel so bad about nodding off before the big 12-0. 455-3500, www.suzieburger.com
For a somewhat casual but still adventurous New Year’s celebration outdoors, Old Sacramento has its annual double fireworks celebration. NEW YEAR’S EVE SKY SPECTACULAR kicks off with a show at 9 for kids and then another at midnight for the more grown up types. Live music and street vendors will make the experience complete; just don’t forget your mittens. http://www.discovergold.org/nye/
For something more romantic and cozy – I knew I was going somewhere with that river reference…. reserve your space on a HORNBLOWER CRUISE. You can enjoy the Old Sacramento fireworks shows while dining in style and staying warm. 916-446-1185, www.hornblower.com
ENJOY & See Ya Next Year!
Rock On, RiverCats
Fun, Friendly, Accessible Raley Field
The size and feel of West Sacramento’s Raley Field make it accessible, approachable, maneuverable and comfortable… all the while being good old-fashioned fun, and occassionally even downright electric.
Something about Raley Field’s ambiance is so fitting for Sacramento; it’s a perfect way to spend a warm summer evening while overlooking the city lights and yet still feeling the small town charm.
Although I haven’t mentioned it yet, I’m talking specifically about RiverCats games – Sacramento’s high ranking minor league baseball team. But there are also other ways to enjoy Raley Field all summer long… With concerts like the Scorpions and Steve Miller Band, Raley Field again provides a comfortable, intimate setting, perfect for rocking out or soaking up the scene(ery).
400 Ballpark Drive
West Sacramento, CA 95691
(916) 371-4487
www.rivercats.com
State Fair: Same Big Fun, Different Dates
Slide into Summer Fun
After decades of a late August/early September run, The CA State Fair has decided to explode into Sacramento’s summer a little earlier in the year. So please make note, ‘cuz you don’t want to miss something spectacular all because you made a fair assumption about the “When” of it all only to find all that big fun just passed you by.
July 14 through August 1 is the fair’s new run date, and personally this year I can’t wait to:
See how much fried food and beer I can handle in one evening, see how many carnie friends I can make in one day, see how many of my favorite adolescent high-velocity rides I can handle in one hour, see how many gold medal wines I can try before my tastebuds become toast, see how much money I can win by betting on the horse with the prettiest name, see how many dimes I can throw at the greased dishes before I finally win an ashtray, see how many County exhibits I can visit before I get the travel bug, see how many things I can buy and fit into my backpack, see how many farm animals I can fall in love with and want to take home with me… and finally, see if I can remember where I parked my car.
There are some traditions just worthy of paying annual respects. Just remember to pay them a little earlier this year!
www.BigFun.org
There is something special about Sacramento; the rich land upon which she was built, the rivers that flow through her, the bounty around her and the people who make it their home.
Life is good in California’s Capital City for many reasons, including climate and geography, community and amenities, nature and wildlife, and more. It’s hard to imagine a warmer feeling than a sunshine-drenched morning here, an easier feeling than a refreshing spring day, or a more engaging experience than a night on the town after a cleansing rain.
There’s truly something for everyone and every mood, for Sacramento is a shifting entity itself, with four distinct but relatively mild seasons, diverse neighborhoods and people, a ripening food and restaurant scene, year-round events and outdoor fun, and daytime and nighttime adventures. Its magic is a blend of history and tradition, vision and reinvention. And there’s so much pleasure to be had here – with family and friends, food and wine, adventures and experiences – that they’re likely to create the kind of fond memories that might seem so familiar… but aren’t quite like any other.
