Summer of Pride in Sacramento
Summertime in Sacramento is a time of abundance. Not only do the summer months provide the highest number of sunshine hours per day, they also boast a constant rotation of festivals and community events, along with limitless options for enjoying the best of local eateries, bars and breweries. There’s so much to see and experience, so to help travelers and locals alike plan an unforgettable, soul-enriching summer, here are some of our favorite things to do when the sun is high and the living is easy.
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Farm-to-Fork Festival
September 23-24, 2022
When you dine with local Sacramento restaurants, you’re supporting more than just homegrown businesses: you’re supporting the farmers, chefs, winemakers, brewers and other professionals who make our city a vibrant culinary and agricultural destination. Farm-to-Fork Festival, often described as a “fresh food party,” is another chance to show our support and appreciation for these culturally (and economically) significant industries. Stretching more than a mile, the festival serves up delicious drinks and bites while live musical talent keeps energy and spirits soaring.
Music and Concerts
If live music is your idea of a good time, Sacramento is the place to be this summer. A cornerstone of the Sac music scene is Concerts in the Park, a massive outdoor festival in Cesar Chavez Plaza that runs every Friday from through July 29. The fest is free to enter and features a lineup of live music from artists like Mod Sun, Bob Moses and Nappy Roots, in addition to endless food and drink options from local vendors. Several downtown bars have even partnered with the festival to host official afterparties, where your Concerts in the Park wristband will get you drink specials all night. Of course, you don’t need to attend a festival to hear live music in the city. Local venues like B Street at The Sofia and Ace of Spades bring you weekly shows from artists across all genres, including classical, bluegrass, rock, Americana and more. You can even see Cat Power at Ace this July.
Explore the Outdoors
No trip to California is complete without soaking up the sun, and Sacramento’s outdoor activities ensure you’ll return home with your own golden glow. With more than a dozen trails and paths in the region, hikers of all skill levels can seek their next challenge, like the nearby South Fork American River Trail for the experienced and daring, or the River Walk Trail at Cosumnes River Preserve for a relaxing stroll through the area’s lush natural habitats. For a day of family fun, you can also take a quick 25-minute drive to Quarry Park Adventures in Rocklin, where you can climb, zip line and traverse Quinn Quarry Lake on a paddleboat.
Breweries
What’s more refreshing on a hot summer day than a delicious craft beer, made right here in the city? With more than 50 breweries in and around Sacramento, there are countless options for sipping and savoring unique artisanal beers made with locally sourced ingredients. Tap into the region’s history at New Helvetia Brewing Company, named after John Sutter’s original 1839 settlement, or take a full beer tour with a Sacramento Beer Passport. If you’re traveling in the later summer months, be sure to join us in Discovery Park on September 17 for the California Brewers Festival, where you can sample the best of local craft beers while supporting charitable organizations.
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