Ruhstaller Farm & Yard is only a 15 minute drive from Sacramento. Located in Dixon, CA, Ruhstaller sits on just under 10 acres. Ruhstaller keeps a number of beers on tap and sells a variety of their beers to take home. In addition to the great beers and atmosphere, there are plenty of games to play to keep you occupied. While there, we enjoyed playing a round of darts, cornhole, checkers, and cards. They were also encouraging patrons to take a walk around the yard to see the hops growing on site. We highly recommend checking out the farm on a late summer afternoon!

For six Thursdays this summer, the Sacramento Zoo is featuring "Twilight Thursdays" from 5:30 - 8:00 pm This well attended event features live music - a main stage with a rotating lineup of bands and a second stage with live jazz next to the giraffe exhibit. If you're there for the live music, we suggest bringing a blanket or chairs to enjoy the show. Several cafes and snack bars were open, wine and beer vendors were serving, and each Twilight Thursday features dinner specials. You can also explore the whole zoo, although the animals were a little (understandably) tired. This was a great event - perfect for a family night out or date night.

The Midtown Farmer's Market brings a variety of local food and flavors to the heart of Midtown every Saturday from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. This market includes an assortment of locally grown and organic fruits, produce, and more. A number of vendors also participate by serving up some local favorites, which also includes the nearby shops on the perimeter of the market. In addition to the usual market staples, we also noticed valet bicycle parking, cooking demonstrations, and even premium pet food for sale! 

This past weekend we decided to take a trip down the Sacramento River on the Hornblower River Cruise. Boarding started promptly 15 minutes before sendoff, and quite honestly, we were surprised by the amount of people on the boat- it was a full house! The Captain gave live narration of the various interesting things to see on the cruise, including the spot where the American and Sacramento Rivers merged, as well as an old shipwreck. We had a relaxing experience on the cruise and would recommend checking it out!

The flowers are in full bloom over at the World Peace Rose Garden in the Capitol Park. Throughout the garden, you can find Inspirational Messages of Peace on placards. The main attraction, however, is the incredible abundance and variety of roses throughout the garden. Be sure to check out the heart-shaped pavilion. Don't wait too long to make a visit to the garden, the roses are currently in full bloom!

Ok, so while this isn't technically in Sacramento, it's a short drive (see below for directions) to Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, and well worth the short commute. Whether you're a bird watcher, nature lover, or adventure seeker, there's a lot to see in this park. We did the auto tour this time, but there are several walking trails located through the area that are each a couple mile loops. 

The park is open from sunrise to sunset. 

Directions from Sacramento: take the first exit (County Road 32A, East Chiles Road). Turn right at the end of the off-ramp and go under the freeway. Turn left onto the levee and enter the Wildlife Area on the left.

Sacramentans have it pretty good with the paved American River Bike Trail. The trail stretches 32 miles- from just north of downtown Sacramento to Folsom with plenty to see along the way. While we haven't quite made it all the way to Folsom, the scenery- with open meadows and beaches- is unbeatable. The trail is multi-use, so you'll see numerous professional bikers, joggers, and families taking advantage of the peaceful trail and gorgeous days here in Sacramento. 

There's plenty more to discover, so expect future posts on this trail.

Unique and quirky, this park has a lot of amenities. With several playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a picnic area, there's plenty to do to stay busy. We particularly enjoyed the spaceship (with working lights!) and the mural. This park is also right across the street from the Sunday Farmers' Market. 

Bring a blanket, some snacks, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the park. And if you like to fish, don't forget to bring your fishing pole! 

Being the Farm to Fork Capital of America, farmers' markets are a must for locally grown produce. With more than 20 farmers markets in the area, all offering a wide selection of produce, it's easy to find fresh produce at a market most days of the week. 

We came at the tail end of one of California's largest farmers' markets, the Sunday Farmers' Market, located under Highway 50 at 8th and W Street. Protected from the elements by the freeway overpass, this certified farmers' market sells much more than the average market and is definitely worth checking out. 

This farmers' market takes place every Sunday from 8:00 am -noon.