The Good Life ~ Sacramento
Exploring a City with a Small-Town Feel and World of PotentialArchive for Day Trip’n
Back to Nature
Harmony Amongst Earth's Creatures
Do you like Nature? Farm-fresh food? Apple picking? Wine festivals? Water recreation? Do you like to go on nature hikes? See how something’s made? Watch Mother Nature in all her glory?
Flower farms, organic ranches, farmers’ markets, petting zoos, fishing, horseback riding, Green movements… the list is long and so far ever-growing when it comes to the agricultural and nature opportunities in the Greater Sacramento area.
Watch for more comprehensive information to come! In the meantime, pack your binoculars, maps, camera, maybe a picnic… and get ready to get back to the basics… They’re more stunning than you might recall.
Cozy Up in Downtown Winters This Summer
Downtown Winters CA
If you’ve never been to Winters, you’re missing Norman Rockwell’s point. Adding to the small town charm of an adorable and historic rural community, the 1st Annual Winters Outdoor Quilt and Textile Art Festival is coming Saturday, June 27th and Sunday, June 28th. Take a gander because you love quilting… or just because it’s a great reason to get you to go. (I once had a roaring time at the Stockton Asparagus Festival… and I wasn’t even all that fond of Asparagus at the time).
Anyway, when things like this come to a tiny town, one might say the whole town gets involved. And the involvement in Winters is getting more and more artsy, and more and more inviting. Home to the beloved Palms Playhouse (live music), the infamous (in a good way) Buckhorn Steakhouse, Putah Creek Nature Area, art galleries, wine tasting, and plenty of good eateries and charming businesses, Winters is a perfect little day trip, afternoon jaunt or weekend getaway.
In addition, there’ll be a sunset dinner with local Firefighters. I assume it’s a fundraising thing, either for the artists or public servants. But I say, ‘sunset, firefighters, local art… you probably can’t go wrong either way.’
(Winters is just west of Woodland and Davis, north of Vacaville. Call 530-795-2580 for more information on the festival or visit www.yolocvb.org for general area and event information).
[Photo Courtesy Solano Magazine]
More Day Trip’n
Ok, not almond blossoms... but you get the picture.
… Continuing on the road less travelled toward Capay Valley (Hwy. 16), old agricultural towns are mere specks along the lush landscape and almond orchards line the way straight to Cache Creek Resort & Casino. But first, the sleepy town of Esparto is the crux of the annual Almond Festival every spring (although ironically you might be hard-pressed to find much ‘almond stuff’ there – it’s more about the scenery of the almond trees blossoming, I’m told). A little farther up and out, the even tinier town of Capay has a roadside pub (Capay Junction) that serves the coldest beer I’ve ever had (not to mention a pretty mean hotdog if you can get the grouchy bartender to heat one up for you). And while Capay Valley Winery gives tastings by appointment, I hear it’s worth the call ahead of time. (We didn’t have that tidbit of information before embarking on our journey…)
[more to come!]
The Rivers’ Edges
Historic Chinese Town of Locke
Ok, that was a long sentence.
The river roads are a marvelous way to meander around the city and through the small towns that dot Sacramento’s perimeter. Just pick a direction and follow the curves, the orchards, the boaters, the birds and the farms that have been in existence for generations.
Just watch for roosters hanging out on the side of the road, peacocks in full plume, slow-going tractors, and flying white egrets so large they look more myth than reality.
Wherever you stop, make it a point to chat up the locals. They don’t tend to see the kind of crowds and traffic that might leave them wary of visitors. And they’ve got stories to share about life in their small town that may make you want to linger on for more.
Toast to a Good Cause
You might think, ‘Who’s drinking beer before noon on a Saturday?’ And then you look around and see that a whole lot of people are drinking beer before noon on a Saturday. Whether it’s like this all the time or not, I don’t frankly know. What I can say is that on this particular Saturday, this particular restaurant and brewery (Rubicon in Midtown) was pouring a lot of tasty hops.
It was for a good cause, after all: The 3rd annual ‘Women in Brewing’ WEAVE fundraiser. And it was simple: No entrance fee; just nominal donations to sample the brews. Made by women, of course.
What we got out of it? Our favorite was a lovely Smoky Vanilla Porter, followed closely by a light and tangy Tangerine Wheat. We also made some friends over that vanilla porter. Yet while there wasn’t a big To-Do encircling this little neighborhood event, one thing seems certain: Sacramentans love a good cause, especially when it’s topped with the perfect amount of froth.
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.
