We’re kicking off our summer road trip series — Hit the Road — with an outdoor adventure-themed trip to Humboldt County. With its Redwood National and State Parks and coastal campsites, this region is a great destination for experienced adventurers + novice nature seekers alike.
Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.
Drive time: ~5.5 hours
Est. population: ~136,500
Avg. high in June: 69º
Walking amongst some of the most ancient trees in the world never gets old. | Photo by @justjerstin
Famous for its car-friendly views of coastal giants across 53,000 acres of forested parkland, this park also features the largestexpanse of ancient redwoods left on Earth. It’s also home to 100+ miles of trails, a river for fishing, swimming and boating, and even a horse camp.
This American restaurant serves steaks + slings whiskey with a by-the-fire ambiance, complete with cast iron skillets that are occasionally used as plates.
This award-winning brewery is owned + operated by California’s largest Native American tribe — the Yurok. Its taproom also offers eats, such as its fried chicken sandwich or organic house salad with sweet chiles.
There’s nothing like food after a good long hike in the woods. | Photo by @campgroundarcata
Enjoy forest bathing — or just jump into the hot tub in the backyard — at this 1-BD, 1-BA cottage located just off of Hwy 101 near Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The hosts also invite guests to enjoy the organic veggie + flower garden on the property.
This large hillside campsite is primarily for tent campers. While it may not offer views of the park’s historic redwoods, this is one of its more quiet + private sites.
Looking for more recommendations? Head to the link below. Plus, stay tuned for the July installment of our Hit the Road series. We’ll be highlighting a 30-mile road trip.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel | Tues., June 28-Mon., July 3 | Times vary | Wells Fargo Pavilion | Prices vary | The classic musical returns to Broadway at Music Circus for the first time in 20 years. 🎠
Wednesday
Winn Farmers’ Market | Wednesdays | 3-7:30 p.m. | Winn Park | Free | Wander through the park as purveyors of organic goods stock their booths, food trucks hum, live music plays + wine glasses clink.
STEM Lab: LEGO | Weds., June 29 | 3:30-5 p.m. | Valley Hi-North Laguna Library | Free | Kids 5-12 are introduced to mathematics + engineering concepts with hands-on activities centered around the iconic building blocks.
Trivia Night | Wednesdays | 7 p.m. | Bike Dog Brewery, 915 Broadway | Free | Assemble your trivia crew for this weekly test of wits + locally brewed suds. 🍻
BARNFLIX: Freak Show | Weds., June 29 | 8:30-11 p.m. | Drake’s: The Barn, 985 Riverfront St. | Prices vary | The weekly movie night series continues with an outdoor showing of the 2017 dramedy at the West Sacramento beer garden. 📽️
Thursday
Rhythm on the River: Rock & Roll | Thurs., June 30 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Drake’s: The Barn | Free | Sacramento rock bands Bad Mother Nature + Red Voodoo will perform live at the riverfront venue complete with food trucks and family activities.
SacJobs Summer Career Fair | Thurs., June 30 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | 3410 Westover St. | Free | Meet with recruiters from state agencies and social programs, as well as companies in real estate, law, finances, homecare, auto + more. 💼
We have amonthly 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.
Elephant seals, otters + eagles are common sights. | Photo by Carlos R. Pineda
The Lost Coast may be secreted away from any major roads, but it sure isn’t a well-kept secret for avid backpackers. Permits for the rugged ~25-mile trek through the coastal wilderness of Humboldt County — which the Bureau of Land Management says is one of the few of its kind in the entire country — are already booked all the way up until December. In fact, they tend to go within one hour of their release.
However, we wanted to give you a few tips if you still wanted to go:
Consider hiking the northern section of the trail to the Punta Gorda Lighthouse, as day hikers do not need a permit
Set a calendar reminder now for Sat., Oct. 1 — that’s when backpacking permits for next year will be released
Can’t wait until next year? There are a handful of permits available in July (they will likely go fast), and there’s a good number still available for December
Following seven days in a row with temperatures 100º+, the heat will begin to taper off today according to the National Weather Service. By the end of the week, Sacramento will be in the mid-80s.
Development
A 150-unit affordable housing project broke ground in the Sacramento Railyards on Monday, the second of its kind in the urban infill project located in downtown. Called the Wong Center, the new building is set to provide housing to residents 55+ who earn 40-60% of the county’s median income when it opens in early 2024. (Sac Bee)
State
A $17 billion inflation package — part of a much larger $300 billion budget deal passed Sunday night — will providedirect payments of up to $1,050 in inflation relief to ~23 million Californians. The deal also calls for a 12-month suspension to tax on gas starting Oct.1. 💵 (KCRA3)
Community
Chief among them… The city is asking residents to help identify the most important qualities it should be looking for in Sac’s next fire chief, such as “listening skills” + “conflict management.” Take the survey before it closes Fri., July 8. 🚒 (Sacramento City Express)
Announced
Incline Village Crystal Bay in North Lake Tahoewill replace pyrotechnic fireworks for drones at its annual Fourth of July SkyShow to mitigate environmental risks + avert fire threats. The festivities will also include a parade + other community events. 🎆 (FOX40)
The award-winning touring exhibit Van Gogh: The Immersive Experiencehaspostponedits opening dayin West Sacramento due to delays in production. Originally scheduled to open June 22, the date has now been moved to June 30. 🌻 (Sac Bee)
Closing
The family-owned Italian restaurant Club Pheasant — known for its handmade ravioli — has shared that it will close by the end of the year. The eatery has largely served the same recipes since its opening in West Sacramento 87 years ago. No exact closing date has yet been shared. 🍝 (Sac Bee)
Listen
Need something easy on the ears to play while cleaning the kitchen or out on a road trip? Ranging from categories like true crime to sports + travel, consider giving these Sacramento podcasts a listen. 🎧
Eat
Skip the meal hassle with Sunbasket, a meal kit delivery service that makes healthy eating beyond easy. Sunbasket offers 10 different meal plans that work for those with dietary preferences and specific restrictions (think: paleo, gluten-free, veg, diabetes-friendly + more). Bonus: Sign up for $100 off your first four deliveries. 🫑 *
A wellness message from our sponsor
According to cardiologist Dr. Steven Gundry, MD, if you’re looking to improve your heart health and shed a few extra pounds along the way, you don’t need to add anything to your diet. Instead, he recommends removing one basic ingredient— which is probably in your fridge right now.*
Content marked with a * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
“When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true,” and we’ve always dreamed of a Disneyland-themed popup here in Sac.
Thankfully, Jungle Bird is “One Jump Ahead” of us with specialty tiki drinks + novelty mugs — like the Cheshire Cat above — for “The Happiest Jungle Bird on Earth” event, which runs Tues., July 5-Sun., July 10. Reserve your spot now so you too can “Go the Distance.”
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Editor’s Pick: I’m no backpacker, but the Lost Coast might just turn me into one. The thought of hiking along an isolated coastline with views of the Pacific sounds dreamy. I’m hopeful about trying my luck in October to snag a few permits for next year.
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