Day Trips from Sacramento: Easy Getaways to Enjoy Now

Summer is near, and it’s a great time to plan weekend getaways, family vacations, or day trips from Sacramento. Spring offers ideal weather, fewer crowds, and the chance to explore before summer heat arrives. Busy schedules make overnight trips hard to plan, but a day trip provides fun and relaxation without the hassle.

With Sacramento being smack dab in the middle of California, there are lots of options when it comes to day trips. The mountains and the ocean are only a short drive away, not to mention charming small towns, historic sites, and natural wonders. So, if you’re looking to get out of town, the following are our picks for the best quick and easy day trips from Sacramento.

Nevada City

Just over an hour from Sacramento, Nevada City is a charming Gold Rush town with plenty of things to do. For starters, it has a historic (and walkable) downtown area with cute shops, art galleries, and restaurants. It’s also home to several live music venues, where you can catch local bands playing everything from blues to rock.

Like wine? You’ve come to the right place. Nevada City has many tasting rooms where you can enjoy local wines. Most are kid- and dog-friendly. You can also visit nearby wineries offering tours, tastings, and events. Many host live music, food trucks, and other fun experiences.

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If you’re the outdoorsy type, consider a hike along one of the many trails in the South Yuba River State Park. Afterwards, cool off by taking a dip in one of the river’s protected swimming holes. History buff? Pay a visit to Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, which tells the story of hydraulic gold mining. The kids can step back in time and learn all about the early days of train travel at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum.

Pacifica

Photo Courtesy of Shreenivasan Manievannan, @shreeniclix

Craving a coastal escape? Head to the town of Pacifica, just south of San Francisco. Naturally, the main draw here is the beaches, which offer opportunities for beachcombing, kayaking, and surfing. In fact, you can take surfing lessons at Linda Mar Beach. At Sharp Point Beach, you can access the Pacifica Pier, which, in addition to awesome views of the coastline, is popular for fishing — no license required.

If you’d rather keep your feet on terra firma, consider a hike in one of the regional parks near Pacifica. Some top spots include Milagra Ridge, which has beautiful coastal views. Mori Point offers bluff-top paths for whale watching. San Pedro Valley Park features trails for all ages and fitness levels.

Shopping is another popular pastime in Pacifica. It has a small downtown lined with antique stores, clothing boutiques, and gift shops. During the Second Saturday Neighborhood Market, local vendors come out to showcase their goods. Another fun thing to do is to visit Sam’s Castle, a Scottish-style estate built in 1908 that now offers tours and live music. 

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Lodi

Lodi might seem like an odd pick for a daytrip from Sacramento, but the San Joaquin County town has plenty to do for both adults and kids alike. For starters, it’s in the middle of wine country, where old growth vineyards produce award-winning Zinfandels and other varietals. You can visit the Lodi Wine Visitor Center for a seated tasting or visit individual wineries to take in the wine country scenery. In fact, there are 85 boutique wineries in Lodi, including Michael David Winery, which has beautifully landscaped grounds and a bakery; Viaggio Estate, a family-friendly spot with live music and food; and Harney Lane Vineyards, which offers educational workshops such as wine blending.

But parents shouldn’t have all the fun. Lodi also has plenty of activities for kids. Lodi Lake is a popular spot for families, with a playground, picnic areas, and a sandy beach complete with lifeguards. If you’re a paddler, you’re in luck. The Lodi Lake Boathouse rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and paddle boats. They also offer guided tours.

Photo Courtesy of Lodi Boat House

Another popular attraction in Lodi is the World of Wonders Science Museum, which has hands-on exhibits including an illumination lab and a flight simulator. Lodi is also home to the Micke Grove Zoo, which showcases animals from across the globe, including primates, snakes, and birds of prey.

Petaluma

The charming Sonoma County town of Petaluma has something for everyone. For foodies, it’s chock-full of renowned farm-to-table eateries. For active visitors, there are activities on the water and on the land. And for history buffs, there are plenty of sites to see.

But first, the food. Being that it’s in Sonoma County, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of spots to get your fill of farm-fresh bites in Petaluma. The downtown area is home to several notable eateries, including Table Culture Provisions, a Michelin-rated restaurant with chef’s tasting menus; Central Market, featuring rustic Italian cuisine; and Stockhome, another Michelin restaurant with modern Swedish cuisine and a curated shop.

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Outdoor recreation is another draw of Petaluma. The Petaluma River flows through town, where you can kayak, paddleboard, jet ski and more. You can even rent paddle boats at the Flowhouse. Further afield, Helen Putnam Regional Park has miles and miles of trails for hiking and biking.

History lovers will be happy to know that Petaluma is one of the state’s oldest cities, and the historic downtown area reflects that. There are well-preserved brick buildings, many of which now house antique shops and art galleries, as well as Victorian-era homes. Nearby Petaluma Adobe State Park features an adobe building and ranch dating to the mid-1800s.

Mt. Diablo

Courtesy of California State Parks, 2025.

Arguably, there is no better spot in all of Northern California with better views than Mt. Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County. From the summit, you can see nearly 200 miles, including the Sierra Nevada to the east and the Farallon Islands to the west. Best of all, you don’t have to hike to the summit — there’s a visitor’s center and viewing tower accessible by car.

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That said, hiking is one of the top activities of Mt. Diablo, and there are trails for all ability levels. Biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing are all popular activities here as well. One of the highlights of the park is Rock City, a collection of wind caves and giant, climbable sandstone boulders once occupied by Native Americans. Keep your eyes peeled for fossils and petroglyphs!

For those interested in the many animals that live in the park, you can take a guided naturalist walk during certain times of the year. One of the most popular is the annual Tarantula Trek, showcasing the park’s gentle giants, which come out of their burrows in late August to mid-October to mate. Arachnophobes need not apply.