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Top 10 Best Weekend Getaways from Sacramento

5 Star Plumbing > Blog > Top 10 Best Weekend Getaways from Sacramento

Bathed by the waters of the Pacific, located in the very heart of California, this picturesque area has always attracted the attention of tourists. Favored by the pleasing climate and convenient location, the capital of the state truly deserved the reputation of one of the most attractive places for literally all kinds of tourists.

It doesn’t matter how you travel – alone, with a spouse or children, or simply looking for an exile from the hustle and bustle of modern life – Sacramento and its surroundings have a lot to offer even to the most fastidious traveler. Needless to say, there are plenty of places to see and experiences to try out. Today we are going to save you much time in searching for information and present the list of the most breathtaking places. Let’s roll!

1. Old Faithful Geyser of California

Haven’t you heard there is no need to go to Iceland if you want to see an active geyser? Could you even imagine this in such a climate? The answer to both questions is “yes.” This wonder of nature is living proof of that. 

Hidden in the volcanic wonderland of Napa Valley, California’s Old Faithful Geyser stands as a testament to the Earth’s raw power. Unlike its more famous namesake in Yellowstone, this natural wonder offers an intimate experience with predictable eruptions every 45 minutes, reaching impressive heights of 70 feet. The geyser’s surroundings have been thoughtfully developed to create an educational outdoor museum, featuring:

  • A geology museum showcasing the region’s volcanic history
  • An exotic animal farm housing rare four-horned sheep and guard llamas
  • Japanese gardens with meditation areas
  • A picnic ground with panoramic views of the Palisades
  • Educational exhibits explaining the geothermal activity beneath California’s surface

Best visiting times are early morning or late afternoon when the sun’s position creates spectacular rainbow effects in the geyser’s spray. Photography enthusiasts should bring wide-angle lenses to capture both the eruption and the magnificent backdrop of Mount Saint Helena.

2. Lake Tahoe: A Year-Round Paradise

Lake Tahoe isn’t just a destination; it’s an experience that transforms with each season. This ancient lake, formed over 2 million years ago, holds enough water to cover the entire state of California in 14 inches of water. Its crystal-clear depths reach 1,645 feet, making it one of North America’s deepest lakes.

Winter Wonderland

  • Valley Alpine Meadows: Over 100 trails across 2,400 acres
  • Six terrain parks for different skill levels
  • Average annual snowfall: 450 inches
  • Night skiing available on selected runs
  • World-class ski schools with private and group lessons

Summer Activities

  • Emerald Bay State Park: Home to Vikingsholm, a 38-room Scandinavian mansion
  • D.L. Bliss State Park: Features the Rubicon Trail, one of America’s most scenic hiking paths
  • Kayaking adventures around crystal-clear coves
  • Stand-up paddleboarding with transparent boards for underwater viewing
  • Sunset dinner cruises on authentic paddlewheeler boats

Hidden Gems

  • Secret Cove: A pristine beach accessible only by a half-mile hike
  • Fallen Leaf Lake: A serene alternative to Tahoe’s busier shores
  • Cave Rock: Ancient volcanic plug with spiritual significance to the Washoe tribe
  • Tahoe Meadows: Wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through alpine wetlands

3. Monterey: Where History Meets Marine Wonder

Monterey captures the essence of coastal California with its perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. This former sardine canning hub has transformed into a world-class destination while preserving its historic charm.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

  • Home to over 35,000 creatures representing 550 species
  • Two-story, 28-foot-high kelp forest exhibit
  • Open-sea feeding shows featuring Pacific bluefin tuna
  • Touch pools with friendly bat rays and sea cucumbers
  • Penguin colony with daily feeding presentations
  • Special exhibits focusing on deep-sea bioluminescence

Historic Fisherman’s Wharf

  • Original whale-watching launch point (peak seasons: December-May for gray whales, July-September for humpbacks)
  • Ghost tours featuring tales from the district’s cannery days
  • Fresh seafood markets offering just-caught local specialties
  • Historic walking tours highlighting 18th-century adobe buildings
  • Daily sea lion watching opportunities at the pier’s end

Cultural Attractions

  • Monterey Museum of Art: Houses the largest collection of early California paintings
  • Path of History: 55 historic sites connected by yellow-tiled sidewalk markers
  • Custom House: California’s oldest government building
  • Colton Hall: Site of the state’s first constitutional convention

4. Lodi Wine Country: A Vineyard Paradise

Just 45 minutes from Sacramento, Lodi Wine Country stands as California’s hidden gem of viticulture, perfect for weekend trips near Sacramento. This historic wine region boasts:

World-Class Wineries

  • Over 85 boutique wineries spread across 110,000 acres of vineyards
  • Home to 20% of California’s total wine production
  • Specialized in old-vine Zinfandel, some vines dating back to the 1880s
  • Award-winning sustainable viticulture practices

Must-Visit Vineyards

Heritage Oak Winery

  • Riverside location with picnic areas
  • Known for estate-grown Zinfandel and Chardonnay
  • Offers kayak wine tours along the Mokelumne River
  • Dog-friendly grounds with hiking trails

Fields Family Wines

  • Small-batch, handcrafted wines
  • Intimate tasting experiences with the winemaker
  • Specialized vertical tastings of estate Syrah
  • Organic farming practices

Mettler Family Vineyards

  • Six generations of sustainable farming
  • Spanish mission-style tasting room
  • Award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Outdoor pavilion for events

M2 Wines

  • Modern industrial tasting room
  • Specialized small-lot productions
  • Famous for single-vineyard Zinfandels
  • Interactive blending seminars

Here is a list of wineries you should never skip:

  1. Heritage Oak Winery
  2. Fields Family Wines
  3. Mettler Family Vineyards
  4. M2 Wines
  5. Apple Hill Orchards

This is another major family destination near Sacramento. This is also known as the Apple Capital of California. Apple Hill is famed for a great kids attraction called Kids.Inc, which represents a maze for children where they should navigate in order to leave the place. At the exit, kids find themselves on the real farm, where they can walk among animals such as goats and sheep and touch them. They will really feel one with nature and apart from excitement, will get indispensable knowledge about country life.

It is very important to mention Apple Orchards themselves. Here you can find literally everything made of apples: doughnuts, caramel apples, pies, and, of course, cider and cider sauce. You can also find a couple of decent home vineries on the hill. The best time to visit the area is in autumn, as this is when the majority of festivals take place, say Harvest Run November and Jonny Appleseed’s birthday in September.

6. Apple Hill: A Family Paradise

Located in the Sierra foothills, Apple Hill transforms into a magical destination throughout the year, making it one of the most cherished vacation spots near Sacramento.

Year-Round Attractions

  • Over 50 family-owned farms, orchards, and vineyards
  • Kids Inc Adventure Maze:
    • 2-acre educational corn maze
    • Interactive farm animal experiences
    • Hands-on agricultural learning stations
    • Seasonal themed activities

Apple-Centric Experiences

  • U-pick orchards featuring 15+ apple varieties
  • Fresh-pressed cider demonstrations
  • Apple treat making workshops
  • Annual Apple Blossom Festival (April)
  • Fall Harvest Celebrations (September-November)

Culinary Delights

  • Award-winning apple pies and doughnuts
  • Craft apple cider and wine tasting
  • Farm-to-fork restaurants
  • Caramel apple making demonstrations
  • Local honey and preserves
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7. California Academy of Sciences: Urban Adventure

A perfect addition to quick getaways from Sacramento, this San Francisco treasure combines a natural history museum, planetarium, aquarium, and research facility under one living roof.

Morrison Planetarium

  • World’s largest all-digital planetarium
  • 75-foot diameter screen
  • Custom-designed star projector
  • Daily shows about space exploration
  • Special evening events

Steinhart Aquarium

  • 38,000 living animals
  • Philippine Coral Reef exhibit
  • California Coast tank
  • Amazon Flooded Forest
  • African Penguin colony
  • Claude the albino alligator

Rainforest Exhibition

  • Four-story rainforest dome
  • Free-flying butterflies and birds
  • Poison dart frogs
  • Leafcutter ant colony
  • Flooded Amazon tank
  • Interactive climate change exhibits

The Academy is located in Golden Gate Park and is an absolute must-see for everyone visiting the Golden State! It includes the Morrison planetarium, the largest of its kind, with a huge screen. The shows displayed there are extremely popular, so don’t forget to get your pass in advance!

Monterey Aquarium isn’t the only place that demonstrates sea species. The Academy’s website claims Steinhart Aquarium to be ‘one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth.’ You can see the white albino alligator there!

The Kimball Natural History Museum is dedicated to the history of evolution and contains millions of species in its collection. You can see large vivid installations of different world regions. Tourists can find the one-of-the-kind four-storeyed rainforest with artificial rain and more than one thousand unique species, including birds and butterflies. It is a unique experience for all ages. The Museum represents a spiraled construction, covered by a glass dome.

The Naturalist Center specializes in discovering new information for those interested in natural history. The Academy staff members are open for consultation and are ready to answer all kinds of questions.

8. A Trip Along the Russian River

Town Guerneville, located by the Russian River, gained the reputation of the hippie town. It has a sign at the entrance, saying that it is a hate-free community. Modern society is getting more and more progressive, and this slogan might seem the result of such a tendency. It is impossible to meet an intolerant person, but you can meet real old hippies from the Summer of Love era and gay families. It is exactly the atmosphere that draws so many people here. If you are part of the LGBT community, you are especially welcome!

You can rest in hotels situated nearby, enjoy spa procedures and massage and enjoy kayaking and canoeing down the Russian River.

9. Half Moon Bay

One more picturesque area within a two-hour ride from Sacramento. It is a land of sandy beaches and aquatic sports. If peace and quiet are all you need, then this site might be a perfect option. The Seahorse Ranch nearby allows you to go horseriding. Sam’s Chowder House offers a broad array of seafood dishes.

A perfect weekend getaway from San Jose or Sacramento, Half Moon Bay offers a peaceful coastal retreat.

Beach Activities

  • Four state beaches
  • World-famous surfing spots
  • Coastal trail hiking
  • Tide pooling adventures
  • Whale watching (December-May)

Local Attractions

  • Historic Main Street
  • Pillar Point Harbor
  • Seahorse Ranch horseback riding
  • Coastal farms and pumpkin patches
  • Fresh seafood markets

Dining Highlights

  • Sam’s Chowder House
  • Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
  • Local fish markets
  • Farm-to-table restaurants
  • Coastal wineries

10. Mount Shasta

It is quite a long way to go from Sacramento (220 miles), but the experience you will get is well worth such a long ride. Apart from the magnificent view from the mountain, there are unique opportunities for hikers: Castle Crags Dome Hike (available both in summertime and wintertime) and Burstarse Fall Hike – you can guess what awaits you at the destination! You can see many lakes around, as well as the Mount Shasta Museum.

Travel Tips and Practical Information

Best Times to Visit

  • Spring (March-May): Ideal for wildflower viewing and moderate temperatures
  • Summer (June-August): Perfect for beach activities and outdoor festivals
  • Fall (September-November): Wine harvest season and fall foliage
  • Winter (December-February): Ski season and whale watching

Transportation Options

  • Rental cars available from Sacramento International Airport
  • Amtrak service to many destinations
  • Local shuttle services to popular attractions
  • Scenic drive routes mapped for each destination

Accommodation Recommendations

[Detailed section with specific hotels, B&Bs, and camping options for each destination]

Local Events Calendar

Whether you’re searching for weekend trips from Sacramento, planning short trips near Sacramento, or exploring quick getaways from Sacramento, this guide serves as your gateway to the diverse experiences waiting just beyond the capital city’s doorstep. Each destination offers its own unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and discovery, making them perfect for both overnight trips from Sacramento and extended weekend stays. From romantic getaways to family vacations, these carefully selected weekend getaways near Sacramento provide the perfect escape from everyday life. And for those coming from the Bay Area, these destinations work equally well as weekend getaways from San Jose, offering the perfect blend of accessibility and adventure.

Conclusion

At the present time, it might be a little difficult to recreate and take your mind off your troubles, especially if you have small children. However, Sacramento and adjacent areas fit literally every taste. Sports fans, gourmands, and those who have a thirst for knowledge will definitely find what they need. Welcome to the Sunny State! No one will leave unsatisfied.

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    Peter, plumber

    I bring over 9 years of dedicated plumbing experience to the table. As a seasoned professional in the plumbing industry, I've tackled a wide range of projects, from residential repairs to large-scale commercial installations.

    One Comment
    5 Star Plumbing | Top 10 Best Weekend Getaways from Sacramento
    Reply
    Meridian Chase
    July 5, 2021 at 8:13 pm

    Your list completely overlooked the hidden gem of La Porte! While everyone flocks to Lake Tahoe, this historic gold mining town offers incredible hiking trails and the most charming B&B run by local historians. Plus, the stargazing at night is unmatched.

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