East Sacramento and Midtown has some of the best kid friendly parks. East Sac has McKinley Park with a public pool, great playground, and duck-filled pond (which is pictured on my home page). Bertha Henschel Park has a playground and a 2 ft deep pool for little ones and a mushroom fountain for children to play under. East Portal has rolling hills, a playground, and a bocci ball court. There are many others throughout the city.
Located at the base of the Sierra foothills, the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area encompasses a total area of approximately 18,000 acres. A day at Folsom Lake is far from boring as there are plenty of activities to choose from. Fishing enthusiasts can check the waters of Lake Natoma, while surefooted adventurers can opt to hike the hills within the state park.
The American River Parkway is another hotbed of recreational activity as locals and tourists alike often frequent the parkway for a scenic run or walk. Also known as the Jedediah Smith Memorial Bicycle Trail, the parkway winds 3.2 miles from Old Sacramento to Folsom Lake. There are numerous entry and exit points throughout, making the trail easily accessible.
If you’re in the mood to view wildlife, head over to Effie Yeaw Nature Center, where you can spend a day in the company of all kinds of animals. Encounter wild turkeys, deer, snakes, and different species of birds in this 77-acre cultural and environmental education center. If you haven’t had your fill of animal encounters, Sacramento Zoo is another place to check out. The zoo features over 400 primates. Get to meet the giraffe Masai and take a Zoo Photo Safari Class to improve your wildlife photography skills.
Well-maintained gardens, hundreds of flora, and tall red oak trees are showcased at the Sacramento Capitol Park. Several pathways wind through the greenery, creating a relaxing ambiance as runners and walkers get fit under the shade of trees, some of which are hundreds of years old.
All told, the city has over 200 neighborhood, community and regional parks with a total area of almost 3,200 acres.