7 Cozy Things to Do in Sacramento When the Weather Cools Down

When the warm days of summer give way to the cooler days of fall, the greater Sacramento area takes on an entirely new vibe. The leaves start to turn, making for plenty of opportunities to explore fall color, and the season means it’s time to indulge in your favorite fall treats.

Fall has hit the greater Sacramento area in full force, and many people are looking forward to chilly days curled up in an oversized sweater in front of the fireplace. But for those looking to get out of the house, there are cozy things to do too. In fact, the greater Sacramento area has plenty to offer when the weather cools down, from warming up with a hot coffee at a local cafe and browsing an indie bookstore to indulging in comfort food and sipping seasonal cocktails. Following are some of our favorite things to do in Sacramento.

Warm Up at a Coffee Shop

There’s nothing like a hot beverage on a cold day. Luckily, the greater Sacramento area has plenty of local cafes where you can relax while sipping on an indulgent beverage that will warm you from the inside out. Some to choose from include Pachamama Café, which has locations in Placerville, Davis, and Sacramento; the Pour Choice in Auburn, a craft coffee bar with flavors like spiced pear and maple sea salt; and the Fig Tree in Roseville, which offers seasonal flavors and live music. Prefer tea over coffee? Classic Hippie Tea House in Sacramento’s Oak Park Neighborhood has dozens of varieties, and Pittador Brews in Old Sacramento offers loose-leaf teas and small-batch coffees.

Get Lost in a Bookstore

What’s cozier than hiding out from the weather in a cozy, locally owned bookstore? There are plenty of spots to choose from in the greater Sacramento area, many of which have all the latest titles as well as rare and hard-to-find editions. Some to consider include East Village Bookshop in Sacramento, which has a curated selection of books and gifts; Beers Books in Downtown Sacramento, which has been serving Sacramento since 1936; The Avid Reader in Davis, which hosts author conversations and signings; The Bookery in Placerville, which specializes in pre-loved, rare, and collectible books; and Winston Smith Books in Auburn, a family-run spot with more than 45,000 titles over two floors.

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Sip Local Wine

The greater Sacramento area is surrounded by wine country, and fall is a great time of year to explore everything it has to offer. You can sip in a comfy tasting room or, if the weather is cooperating, gather around an outdoor fire pit while sampling the local vintages. Some wineries to try include Turkovich Family Wines in Winters, which has a rustic, inviting tasting room; Atkins Family Vineyards in Elk Grove, which has outdoor fire pits; Casque Wines in Loomis, which specializes in French varietals; and Cielo Sulla Terra in Somerset, which has cool-weather goings-on like “Soup, Sip & Fire Pit” the first weekend of every month.

Explore a Museum

The greater Sacramento region has dozens of museums just waiting to be explored, and there’s no better time to do so than when you’re trying to escape the chilly weather. In Sacramento, you can check out the Crocker Art Museum or California State Railroad Museum, both of which have programs for children. In Roseville, the Maidu Museum depicts the life of the area’s original inhabitants while the Gold Rush Museum in Auburn tells the story of the miners who came here to strike it rich. The Gold Rush is also the theme of many museums in El Dorado County, including the El Dorado County Historical Museum and Fountain & Tallman Museum, housed in a 19th-century stone soda works building. If it’s art you’re after, consider a visit to Davis, which has several notable art galleries and museums, including the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art on the U.C. Davis campus.

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Indulge in a Comforting Meal

Nothing warms the belly like a hearty meal. This time of year, diners crave hearty foods like soups, stews, casseroles, and roasted meat. If you’re looking for homestyle cooking, consider a visit to Buckhorn Steakhouse in Winters, an old-school joint known for their hand-cut, dry-aged steaks; Fox and Goose in Sacramento, which has hefty British dishes like shepherd’s pie and bangers & mash; or The Place in Roseville and Placerville, which has traditional Italian dishes like chicken parmigiana and manicotti. Love soup? There are several places in town where you can get soup flights, including Casa Flores and Algo Bueno, which have albondigas, birria, and pozole.

Sip a Cold-Weather Cocktail

Cozying up in a local bar is another popular pastime during the fall and winter months. Plus, some of them are ideal for the cooler times of year! One spot to try is The Snug, an aptly named downtown cocktail bar that has over-the-top decorations for the holiday season as well as festive cocktails. Another good bet in Sacramento is The Cabin, a woodsy, apres-ski type spot with creative cocktails like Gimme S’more and a Cabin Old Fashioned with brown butter syrup. In Placerville, Burning Barrel Brewing and Spirits puts unique spins on traditional drinks like an espresso martini with nutmeg and a hot toddy with hop-infused malt whiskey. Another option is A House Divided in Roseville, a moody speakeasy with seasonal offerings such as the Apple Hill and the Naughty Nogg come Christmastime.

Treat Yourself to a Spa Day

Nothing warms the body and soul like a little self-care. You can escape the winter chill by spending a day at a local spa. Whether you’re into massage, saunas, steam rooms, or soaking pools, there are plenty of options in the region. Some popular spots to try include Asha Urban Baths in Sacramento, where you can soak in a warm-water pool, take a cold plunge, or immerse yourself in vibroacoustic meditation. In Granite Bay, you can unwind in the cedar sauna, get rejuvenated in the red light booth, or relax with a body scrub or massage. At Spa520 in Placerville, you can choose a massage, facial, or red-light therapy. In Davis, Zen Day Spa offers the head spa experience, where they provide a scalp massage, herbal hair bath, and deep conditioning treatment.

Explore Cozy Things to Do This Fall & Winter in the Sacramento Area

Cooler weather doesn’t mean you have to stay home to get cozy. From sipping seasonal cocktails and sampling local wines to browsing bookstores and unwinding at a day spa, there are plenty of ways to embrace the fall and winter seasons. Whether you need a little “me” time or want a cozy day out with friends or family, there’s no shortage of places to escape the chill in the greater Sacramento area.