City of West Sacramento, as the name implies, is located on the west of city & county of Sacramento, in Yolo County. It is separated form Sacramento by the Sacramento River, which also separates Yolo from Sacramento county. With so many fun things to choose from, we’ve rounded up a quick list of our top ten outdoor things to do in West Sacramento.
River Fox Train
One doesn’t get to ride trains in California all that often. But right here in West Sacramento, we have River Fox Train which offers two general kinds of experiences: Railbikes and Train Rides.
Railbikes are two seater pedal-powered vehicles which will take you on a guided ten mile cruise along the river and to Yolo Countryside. Cost? $109 during the week and $129 on the weekend. Make sure you review their “KNOW BEFORE YOU GO” page.
Their Train Experiences include Family Friendly events like Mother’s Day Train and Pumpkin Patch Express as well as “Sip & Savor” events like Murder Mystery Train, Old Vine Express, Weekend Express, Happy Hour Express, Beer Train and more.
Check their website for their hours and days of operation.
Tree Top Sac
Address: 1300 Lake Washington Blvd | West Sacramento
Tree Top Sac is an aerial adventure course above the forest floor into the canopy of California Valley Oak trees. There’s a 10 to 15 minutes “Gear Introduction” course followed by “Ground School” where they “will walk you through a mini course that will be your introduction to your gear and our continuous belay system.” Then you will graduate to “Clear to Climb”, where you will use ladders to get up into the trees. From there comes “Traverse the Canopy” where you will get on wobbly bridges and “walk the tight wire”. Then it’s down the Zip Lines for a soft landing.
They offer daily and season passes for kids, teens and adults. Their Evening Climbs are even more fun where you will get to climb in the dark.
Sacramento River Cruise
Sacramento River Cruise will take you on a two hour cruise on the beautiful Sacramento River, allowing you to enjoy the river in a different way and experience Sacramento from a different perspective. They offer “three daily 2 hour boat 🛳 cruises featuring flights of local wine, craft beer, and delectable cheese & charcuterie plates.” The weigh anchor out of Clarksburg Marina. Reservations: 916-800-7887 ☎️
Sacramento River Cats
Address: 400 Ballpark Dr | West Sacramento
Spend an evening at Sutter Health Park, across the river from Downtown Sacramento, and watch Sacramento River Cats play a game. The Sacramento River Cats are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Come for the game. Stay for the post game firework show.
River Walk Park
Address: 651 2nd St | West Sacramento
River Walk Park stretches from I St Bridge to Tower Bridge and it’s about 0.75 mile. (Both bridges cross Sacramento River to connect West Sacramento to Sacramento) It is a great place to walk, run or walk your dog. If 0.75 is too short for you, you can continue walking south, past Tower Bridge all the way to The Barn. As one walks down the park, one will see California State Teachers’ Retirement System building and also The Ziggurat on one side and Sacramento River and Old Town Sacramento on the other. (Tip: It’s much easier to find free parking on the West Sacramento side of the river than the Sacramento side. So, park your car, have a leisurely walk down the park, cross over Tower Bridge and have a great time in Old Town Sacramento) This walk is a popular spot for fishermen as well as those who want to photograph some wildlife. You may come across geese, ducks, squirrels, seals, and turtles. If you are lucky you might even witness an osprey or two diving for an occasional meal into Sacramento River. Free parking is available on D St, right behind Burgers and Brew where you can refuel after your walk. Other great restaurants, walking distance from the park are Tree House Cafe and Midway Bar & Grill.
Sacramento Bypass Wildlife Area
Address: From Reed Ave, go north on Harbor Blvd. Drive underneath 5 freeway and you will see it on the left hand side. Download map here. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Sacramento-Bypass-WA
Sacramento Bypass Wildlife Area is a 360-acre land, just off Sacramento River, with different kinds of vegetation which provides a feeding area for for wildlife. During the rainy season, if the water level in the river rises, floodwater is diverted from state’s capital. One can find cotton wood, willows and valley oaks trees. One may come across deer 🦌, rabbits 🐇, coyotes, turkeys 🦃, raptors 🦅, ducks, geese, turtles, pheasants and quails at this wildlife area. In the Tule Canal, there is catfish 🐟, largemouth bass and other kind of fish. Both, hunting and fishing is allowed during certain times of the year. Check the Fish and Wildlife website for regulations. It is a great place for trail running or walking your dogs, if one wants to get away from the crowd.
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area
Yolo Bypass is not in West Sacramento but it’s only minutes away, to the west. If you enjoy birdwatching, you need to visit this place. It is 59,000 acres wide and has many different types of Wildlife habitats: Seasonal & Permanent Wetlands, Uplands, Riparian Forest, Vernal Pools and Agriculture. It is highly recommended that one visits their website and finds out the rules and regulations before heading over there. During summer, there are colonies of migratory bats which live under Yolo Causeway. There is a “Bath Talk & Walk Event” for those interested to know more about these magnificent flying mammals.
Drake’s The Barn
Address: 985 Riverfront St | West Sacramento
Drake’s The Barn is a landmark two-acre community gathering spot, featuring food, beer, wine, cocktails and entertainment along the river in West Sacramento’s Bridge District. I consider it an outdoors activity because you’re going to be sitting outside on beach chairs, with dogs 🦮 and beer and live band. While there, you might want to also check out Franquette, “a French-inspired wine bar and cafe brought to you by the team behind Michelin-rated restaurant, Canon” for some of the best food West Sacramento has to offer.
Barge Canal Recreational Access
Address: 2100 Jefferson Blvd | West Sacramento
Just east of Port of Sacramento, Barge Canal offers the outdoor enthusiasts a fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, walking and running opportunity. This park, is very accessible: It’s located just , off Jefferson Blvd, the main street in West Sacramento. During spring, “goats” arrive to help graze the grass down and help decrease chances of fire in the summer. They become talk of town and their photos appear in the local social media, including West Sacramento Community Discussion Board on Facebook.
City Parks
There are over 40 parks in West Sacramento. Here is a link to city’s website to all of those. These are a few we have handpicked, starting from Broderick, on the north edge of the city going south:
- Bryte Park is 34.4 acres with 4 softball diamonds, one baseball diamond and 8 soccer fields. It also has a full court basketball court, picnic area, play structure and football facilities. It is located next to the levee on Sacramento River. Nice path to walk/run along the river.
- Elkhorn Park is a small park, 0.2 acre, also located in Broderick area with picnic area, benches, horseshoe pits and a swingset. *Closed ruing school hours.
- Circle Park is further south, in State Streets part of West Sacramento. It is also a small park, 0.3 acres with picnic tables, bench and trash receptacles.
- Delta Gardens Park is further south and east. From Jefferson, one has to turn on Gateway Dr to reach it. It is walking distance from Sacramento River. It is 3.3 acres with basketball court, lighted walkways and BBQs.
- Southport Gateway Park is 2.5 acres and has a sheltered picnic area and a playground.
- Bridgeway Island Park is 4 acres and is further south in Bridgeway Island subdivision.
- Bridgeway Lakes Community Park is 12 acres has a baseball diamond and spray ground for those hot summer days. It has a very nice Bridgeway Lakes Boathouse which is a popular spot for wedding receptions.
Free Yoga in The Park
West Sac Yoga offers FREE yoga classes every Saturday (from mid April to mid September) at West Sacramento Demonstration Garden (across from Bridgeway Lakes Community Park). Great opportunity to not only get in shape but to also meet some locals and make friends.
Honorable Mention: Ruhstaller Farm in Dixon
Address: 6686 Sievers Rd | Dixon
Story time: I was out in Dixon, showing homes one Saturday. On the way back, I saw directional signs with picture of dogs on them. As I got closer, I saw cars pulling in there. I knew there was some kind of event going on and it involves 🐕🦺s. I pulled in and discovered Ruhstaller Farm. I tried to find out more about their history but their website didn’t help much. I’m guessing that it was just an old fashion farm and this family bought it and turned it into a a farm/brewery. It’s like nowhere you have been to before. Instead of chairs, they have hay bales. You buy your own beer, sit yourself down or go for a walk around the farm. Dogs, chickens, ducks, sheep and kids are all off-leash. They will drop by and say hello. There is food trucks daily but you can also bring your own food or alcoholic beverages. Their website states that they have live band every Thursday – Sunday. I found this on their website which kind of describes what they are about
“not sure what the catch phrase of the month is on how we farm
but our basic approach is to leave this land and water and air and the animals and
humans we come in contact with…better off when we’re finished here
we’re just here for alittle while
40 years if we’re lucky
so we’re just trying to not screw it up”
West Sacramento has a lot of outdoor activities to offer its residents. From city parks to more remote and and natural places, West Sac has it all. If you needed to learn more, you are always welcomed to contact me. If I don’t have that answer, I usually know someone who does. Also, if you are looking for a place to eat, here is the link to my blog West Sacramento’s 8 best restaurants.
