Tempo Park

Directions: Off I-80N take Greenback Exit. Turn left on Fair Oaks Blvd. Turn left into Tempo Park.

This 24.9 acre park has a cute playground area, a large BBQ area, tennis courts, bathrooms, and trails that wind around the tree filled open space. This is a great park for big family or friends parties. This park also connects to Tempo community pool. You walk along the trail to get to the pool. The pool is open usually from Memorial day to Labor day.

California State Railroad Museum

Directions:The California State Railroad Museum is located at the corner of Second and "I" Streets in Old Sacramento. Scroll down to "Additional Information" for directions to reach the Museum by automobile and via Amtrak.
Parking:A small number of limited term, metered parking spaces are available on the streets of Old Sacramento. However, these spaces are not suitable for guests visiting longer then 90 minutes. All-day parking is available in the large public garage at the I Street entrance to Old Sacramento, for a nominal fee.
Hours:The Museum is open daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day) from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
Admission: $8 adults; $3 youths ages 6-17; children ages 5 and under are free.
See: www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org for more information.

The California State Railroad Museum is perfect for all those train enthusiasts! It has a "roundhouse" of real trains you can go inside and see the old fashioned sleeping quarters, dinning cart, and lounge areas. Many volunteers will gladly tell you about the history of each train and exhibit. Upstairs is a toy train gallery and a children's play area with toy trains kids can play with and won't want to leave. Next to the play area is a walkway with a train. It is pretty impressive the way the building holds up this huge train. You can look down and see the "roundhouse" of the trains below. Outside conductors give train rides.
Once you made it this far don't forget to walk around old town Sacramento and grab a bit to eat at one of the many cute places there.

Folsom Lake

Directions: Off I-80N Take Douglas Blvd east. Follow Douglas Blvd until it dead ends to the park ranger station. Pay $7.00 daily fee and go straight until you see the signs for Granite Beach. This is a good beach spot. If you want to load your boat, hike or walk around ask the ranger for a map and they will direct you.
See this website for hours, hikes and information:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=500

Granite Beach is a fun spot for kids and families. It has plenty of sandy area to sit and relax. The sand isn't as sandy as beaches so it is nice to sit and not get too muddy going in and out of the water. The water is shallow in the beginning, and hardly no wakes from the boats. Lots of birds come by and say hi. It is a great way to cool down during the hot summer months. It has bathrooms near, along with a snack bar that opens during certain months of the summer.

California State Capitol

10th and L Streets Sacramento, CA 95814
Directions: Off I-80 Capital City Freeway exit J Street. Turn on 29th Street and then L St. Park anywhere you see parking in garages or street vending. From I-80 N exit N Street. Turn on 30th Street and park near L Street.

You can walk through the building for free during bulding hours: Weekdays: 8 - 5 Weekends: 9 - 5
Admission: Free
Tours daily from:9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call for more info: (916) 324-0333
See this website for more info:http://www.capitolmuseum.ca.gov/

The State Capitol building is hard to miss. It is a wonderful sight and an awe inspiring piece of architecture. Once you go through security you can walk around and see the different shadow boxes of each county in California, find your favorite Senator's office door, or walk by the enormous door of the Governor himself, Arnold! It is a huge door. If you are lucky you might see him in the building. You can walk in the rotunda and hear your echo. The museums throughout the first floor and basement are neat to look and see the history of Sacramento and California.
Outside on the large lawns are beautiful trees in the spring and lots of great shade for a picnic lunch.

Folsom Park

Directiosn: Next to the Folsom City Zoo. See that entry for directions.

This park has two great playgrounds for older kids and younger ones. Lots of slides, swings, shade, and open space. There is horseshoes, picnic and BBQ benches, baseball and soccer fields. Lots of parking too. I am a little weary of the signs that say to watch out for snakes but other than that it seems like a nice family friendly park.

Folsom Zoo & Folsom Valley Train Ride

Folsom City Zoo
Directions: 403 Stafford Street, Folsom, Calif. From Hwy 50: Exit at Folsom Blvd. Turn left at the off ramp intersection. Follow for 3 miles and take Right turn on Natoma Street traffic light. Follow for about 1 mile, turn left at the traffic light onto Stafford Street and turn right into the entrance past the library which leads into the parking lot.
The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary is open from Tuesday through Sundays 10am - 4pm. Closed on Mondays, unless it is a major holiday. Hours are subject to change. Please call (916) 351-3527 to verify hours.
Children 4 and under Free. Children 5-12 $3.00. Youths 13-17 $4.00. Adults 18-54 $4.00. Seniors 55 and over $3.00.

The first Tuesday of every month, admission to the Zoo is half price!


Operating since 1963, the zoo has been the home to hundreds of animals from squirrels and chickens to tigers and bears. Each year the zoo welcomes thousands of visitors in a simple and unassuming park like environment. With close to 100 animals your family is sure to enjoy it. You will find an animal your little child will surely enjoy. The monkeys are funny, the owl is cool, and the peacocks and roosters and chickens run wild so that is a delight. Most of the animals are behind wire fences, so you can't see them as well as other zoos. It is a small zoo so its easy to walk around and see everything within an hour or two. Lots of shady spots and benches to rest.

Outside the zoo is a Railway Train Ride you definitely need to ride. It is $1.00 for kids over one. $2.00 for anyone over three I think. It goes along the track next to the library and the zoo. It is great fun for the train enthusiast.