Sacramento, CA

You'll feel miles from civilization at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, located at the base of the Sierra foothills. The 18,000-acre state park is home to 75 miles of shoreline around Lake Natoma. Camp out, have a picnic in the great outdoors, hike or bike through the hills, or spend a day on the water fishing, boating, or sailing.

Address: 7806 Folsom Auburn Rd., Folsom, CA 95630 - MAP
Phone: (916) 988-0205
Web: www.parks.ca.gov

Run, bike and walk along the American River Parkway, aka Jedediah Smith Memorial Bicycle Trail. You'll travel a spectacularly scenic 3.2 mile trail that runs from Old Sacramento to Folsom Lake offering many entry and exit points along the way.

Address: 5700 Arden Way, Carmichael, CA 95608 - MAP
Phone: (916) 486-2773
Web: www.arpf.org

Enjoy a nature walk at Effie Yeaw Nature Center located where the Sacramento and American rivers meet. You'll want to bring your binoculars, camera or artist pad to capture the "watchable wildlife" in the area, including wild turkeys, wild birds, deer and snakes. You're sure to appreciate nature even more at this award-winning, 77-acre environmental and cultural education center.

Address: 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael, CA 95608 - MAP
Phone: (916) 489-4918
Web: www.sacnaturecenter.net

Brave the rapids on a guided American River whitewater rafting voyage through Gold Rush country. The water logged experts at Whitewater Voyages will make sure you and your paddles stay afloat. If you're too tired to go home, spend the night outdoors at their free Adventure Camp with the necessary creature comforts like a warm shower and flushing toilet.

Address: 5225 San Pablo Dam Rd., El Sobrante, CA 94803 - MAP
Phone: (800) 400-7238
Web: www.whitewatervoyages.com

See a tall wonder when you visit Masai the giraffe at the Sacramento Zoo, located in William Land Park. There are more than 400 primates from the wild Kingdom to capture your attention and a Zoo Photo Safari Class where you can capture animal personalities on your digital camera.

Address: 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822 - MAP
Phone: (916) 808-5888
Web: www.saczoo.org

Tree huggers unite at the Sacramento Capitol Park. Thousands of species of trees occupy the park, some of them as old as Thomas Jefferson. The capital state park is home to majestic red oak trees, hundreds of unusual plants, and well manicured gardens that wind through the popular pathways used by local walkers and joggers. This park is California's rendition of an outdoor paradise.

Address: L Street & 15th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 - MAP
Phone: (916) 653-6995
Web: www.parks.ca.gov