Time to hit up a hike 🥾

Take a hike: A guide to trails around Sacramento

Oak trees stand atop a rolling green hill.

The Lake Natoma Loop Trail provides stunning views. | Photo by @Opus91

From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic lakes and mountains, our city has so many options to hit the trail. So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Sacramento area with nine routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.

Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.

Key: Easy = 🥾| Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾

Sacramento

Sacramento Waterfront Trail, Broadway + Marina View Dr.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: ~8.6 miles
Pet friendly: Yes, on leash
Wheelchair accessible: No
Parking fee: None

Enjoy this river promenade with views of Downtown, Old Sacramento, and the occasional sea lion. We personally love this trail for its great sunsets + the fact you can wander over the Tower Bridge.

Jedidiah Smith Memorial Trail, multiple access points

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: ~32 miles
Pet friendly: Yes, on leash
Wheelchair accessible: Portions
Parking fee: $6-$24

Whether you start in Discovery Park or in Folsom, this is one of the more breathtaking (and breathtakingly easy) trails to access in the region. There’s also no need to walk the whole thing — jump on and off the paved path whenever you’d like (we personally recommend the stretch near the American River Parkway).

158800501_2674573989517945_7438986005396164071_n — We could sit in front of this waterfall all day long.

Folsom

Lake Natoma Loop Trail, multiple access points

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: ~11.5 miles
Pet friendly: Yes, on leash
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Parking fee: $10

Oak woodlands, relics of Gold Rush history, and wildlife-rich marshes are a-plenty at this paved trail located in the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Pro tip: Be sure to watch the water as you walk — you might just see a family of river otters.

Carmichael

Effie Yeaw Nature Loop Trail, 2850 San Lorenzo Way

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: ~1.5 miles
Pet friendly: No
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Parking fee: $5

This brief path — which runs along the American River — is one of the very best places to observe Sacramento’s wildlife, like turkeys, woodpeckers, and deer. Keep an eye out for interpretive signs about the river’s ecosystem + the life of the indigenous Nisenan people who once called the area home.

272081450_698239194503239_6190266930755989368_n — The Quarry Road Trail stuns with its vistas of the American River.

Auburn

Hidden Falls Trail, 7587 Mears Pl.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: ~3.3 miles
Pet friendly: Yes, on leash
Wheelchair accessible: No
Parking fee: varies

You can go chasing waterfalls at this popular + straightforward hike in Placer County. With its tranquil sights and sounds, the trail is generally considered perfect for families — just know that reservations are currently required for entry on weekends.

Quarry Road Trail, 150 Highway 193

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: ~11.2
Pet friendly: Yes, on leash
Wheelchair accessible: No
Parking fee: $10

This wide dirt path chases the majestic Middle Fork of the American River and features sheer limestone rock faces, and passes a cave known for its paleontological excavations. The path is perfect for trail runners or those wanting a moderate hike in the Sierra foothills.

FIND YOUR TRAIL

Use the links below to share this story with someone who needs to stretch their legs.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

The Grand Tasting: West End Revival | Fri., Sept. 23 | 6 p.m. | Capitol Mall Greens | $100 | Learn the story of this neighborhood through a food experience. 🍽

Sunday

Free Play Sunday | Sun., Sept. 25 | 4 p.m. | Coin-Op, 908 K St. | Free | All games are free on Sunday at this local bar-cade. 🕹
“Where The Wild Things Are” | Sun., Sept. 25 | 3 p.m. | Crest Theatre | $5 | A young boy runs away from home and sails to an island filled with creatures in this film based on the classic children’s tale. 📽

Monday

Sacramento River Cats vs. Las Vegas Aviators | Mon., Sept. 26 | 6:35 p.m. | Sutter Health Park | $12+ | ⚾️

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

One robot with unlimited potential in Sacramento?

🤖

Most robotic automation is complex and expensive, but Ally Robotics programming-free robots represent a step forward for affordable automation. | GIF provided by Ally Robotics

Did you know? Your next order at your favorite fast food restaurant could be cooked by an AI-powered robot.

That’s because Ally Robotics created a programming-free robot that learns by watching humans to solve the $300 billion fast food industry’s biggest problem: the labor shortage.

Now, they’re inviting Sacramentans to invest in the growing business as these bots expand to other industries (think: construction and agriculture).

Invest by Thurs., Sept. 29 to get a piece of the (automated) pie.*

INVEST

Weather

89º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain ☀️

Environment

This week’s rain and cooler temperatures have given firefighters a boost against the Mosquito Fire. As of Thursday morning, the fire has reached 60% containment, and evacuation orders have been lifted throughout Placer and El Dorado counties. (KCRA 3)

Award

This year’s finalists for the Sacramento Region Innovation Awards — which honors impactful companies in our area — have been named. The winners will be announced Tues., Nov. 1 during an awards ceremony held at The Sofia. Some of the finalists include FloraPulse, EyeRate, and Ravata Solutions. 🏆 (Sacramento Inno)

Sacramentan

Local comedian Marcus Parker has released his debut stand-up comedy special on Amazon: Prime Video, titled “I’m a Grown Ass Man.” The special will also be streamed tomorrow evening at Tiger Restaurant and Lounge. Get tickets here. 🎤 (Sac Bee)

Watch

Check out this timelapse video from the Sacramento Kings showing the demolition of their former home, Sleep Train Arena. Long known as ARCO Arena, the Kings played their home games at the venue from 1988-2016 before moving to Golden 1 Center. 🚧

Biz

Placer Valley Tourism — the nonprofit focused on driving visitors to Rocklin, Roseville, and Lincoln — has named Kim Summers as its permanent CEO. Kim has been with the organization since 2008, and has served as its interim CEO since the death of former CEO David Attaway earlier this year. (Sac Biz Journal)

Development

Plans have changed for Davis’ University Mall, after New York-based owner Brixmor Property Group Inc. submitted a new proposal that does not include any residential units. According to the group, Trader Joe’s would be the only current occupant that would remain at the site, with the rest of the businesses being replaced. 🏗 (Sac Biz Journal)

Community

Show your support for local journalism by joining the SACtoday membership program. Membership has some awesome perks like exclusive birthday deals, discounts from our online shop, Six & Main + more. Plus, 100% of membership funds help support our local editors — that’s us, Jordan + Matt. Learn more + sign up. 💻

Shop

Time to feel the fall breeze + enjoy the autumn leaves with the Fall For Your City Sale happening now on Six & Main, SACtoday’s online shop. Take 20% off the entire Fall For Your City Collection now through Sun., Sept. 25.

Wellness

There’s nothing worse than tossing and turning because you can’t fall asleep — especially when you have a big day coming up that you won’t be well-rested for. If you’re looking for a natural solution to help you fall asleep faster, sleep deeply + wake up refreshed, this supplement can help. Use code code 6AM for 20% off. *

Travel

Our jaws dropped when we saw the views from this cabin in Crook County, OR (~4 hours southeast of Portland). Listed for an average price of $249/night, we don’t know if we’re headed for the hot tub, porch hammock, or outdoor fire pit first.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Sssacramento Reptile Show 🐍

Sacramento Reptile Show

He was a gator boy, we said ‘see ya later, boy.’ | Screenshot from @sacreptileshow

Calling all croc lovers — the Sacramento Reptile Show will return to Cal Expo this weekend, beginning Sat., Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. 🐊

More than 3,000 reptiles will be on display, along with professional handlers who can educate attendees on the animals, and guests can even purchase one to take home as a pet. Crikey! 🦎

Tickets are available at the door, but visitors who purchase them in advance can slither into the event early. 🐍

THE WRAP

	Today’s issue was written by Jordan. Editor’s pick: Where do y’all buy sneakers in Sac? I’m a bit of a sneakerhead, but refuse to pay crazy prices on resale apps if I can help it (and who doesn’t want to buy local). Let me know. Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We rented some space in your inbox with a few Airbnb options.
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Editorial: Jordan Radach, Matt Marcure, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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