Take A Hike In Downtown Sacramento
Walks sponsored by California State Parks are 1-3 miles in length. Click here for walk descriptions and map.
California Volkssport Asssociation Walks
Local chapters of the California Volkssport Association offer walks that can be done by yourself or with other people. Click here for locations and details for walks in the Sacramento area.
American River Parkway
The American River Parkway is the crown jewel of recreation areas in the Sacramento region. The Parkway's bicycle/pedestrian trail, starting in downtown Sacramento and ending at Folsom Dam Recreation Area as shown on this map, is one of the most scenic trails in the nation.
Local author Robin Donnelly has written an excellent guidebook titled Biking and Hiking the American River Parkway. The book describes a wide variety of plant and animal life found along the Parkway. Also described is the history of the area when it was first inhabitated by Nisenan Indians and later by settlers and gold miners. The book is especially helpful for walkers because it describes hiking areas away from the main bike/pedestrian trail.
Biking and Hiking the American River Parkway can be purchased at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Ancil Hoffman Park, REI, The Rest Stop bike store, Frank's Bicycle Lane, The Avid Reader, Tower and other local bookstores. Proceeds from sale of the book benefit the American River Natural History Association (ARNHA), Effie Yeaw Nature Center and various projects on the American River Parkway.
Walking Tours of Sacramento's Historic Architecture
Below are two example of buildings from the brochure titled Walking Tours of Sacramento's Historic Architecture. The walking tours let both residents and visiors to Sacramento appreciate the city's history and the wonderful variety of architectural styles reflected in the commercial, government and residential buildings. Walking allows us time to observe the fine detail in these historical buildings that we miss when we drive by them in our cars.
The brochure was made possible by Sacramento Heritage, Inc. and the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau. Copies are available free of charge from the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1303 J St., Suite 600, Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 264-7777.
800 N Street, Stanford Mansion, 1857. Originally built as a two story house for a Sacramento merchant, it was purchased for $8,000 in 1861 by dry goods store owner, Leland Stanford, one of the Big Four who would soon become governor. The house served as the temporary State Capitol for years. Confronted with the continual flooding that plagued Sacramento, the home was jacked up one full story in 1871, and at the same time was topped with a full-story mansard roof. This mansion is illustrative of many such homes that once surrounded the Capitol.
631 J Street, Bank of D. O. Mills, 1912. The intense formalistic use of Classical design elements in the excellent example of the Neo-classical Style bespeaks strengh and permanency befitting the second oldest bank west of the Mississippi. Organized in 1849 as the National Gold Bank of D.O. Mills and Company, the building later housed the Security Pacific National Bank. It is now a private reception hall.
