Sacramento County
Sacramento County, with about 1.4 million people, has the highest population density in California’s 450-mile-long
Central Valley. Its centerpiece is
Sacramento, the state’s capital city, where the most obvious attraction for DogTrekkers is the 32-mile American River Parkway. This shady and beloved greenbelt cradles a multi-use trail that stretches from the Old Sacramento historic district all the way to Folsom Lake. Along the way are parks, picnic areas and beaches. Dogs are allowed almost everywhere at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, an 18,000-acre preserve with 80 miles of dog-friendly trails as well as ample access to the water.
In the southwest portion of the Sacramento County lies the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta, largest estuary on the West Coast. A string of small, dog-friendly towns and marina communities invite exploring in a region widely known for fishing and boating opportunities.
Western Railway Museum. Photo by Chris, Western Railway Museum.
Redwood forests and mountains might be more scenically impressive, but there’s a different kind of ambience to be had in California’s flatlands. And the dog-friendly excursion trains that operate here provide plenty of diversions.
Take, for example, the electric trains of the Western Railway Museum, a repository of history from the pre-Interstate days when Northern California communities were connected by “interurban” railroads. The biggest player was the Sacramento Northern, whose trunk line stretched 184 miles from Chico to San Francisco. more »
Dog-gone tired after play in Sacramento!
If you’re like many visitors, you want to stay in a central location just a short jaunt from the attractions on your “must experience” list. Fortunately, central Sacramento is chock-full of dog-welcoming choices. If downtown is where you want to be, check out the Kimpton Sawyer, in the rapidly developing DoCo district and walking distance to Old Sacramento. Nearby, the new Hyatt Centric also welcomes dogs accompanied by their peeps. more »
Maya at 2019 Doggy Dash. Photo by Dave Kendrick.
The annual Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash in William Land Park is back in person on April 23 after a two-year pandemic hiatus. It’s one of Northern California’s largest dog events, with 2K and 5K walks plus the festival, attracting up to 5,000 dog-accompanied humans. Registration for the walk is $35, but attendance at the festival, featuring many vendors and canine activities, is free. All funds raised will benefit the compassionate work of the Sacramento SPCA. more »
Bonnie plays with friend at Partner Park. Photo by Janet Fullwood.
Sacramento has a couple of nicknames. For the last decade or so, it’s prided itself as “America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital” due to its location in the agriculture-rich Central Valley. But it’s been known since the mid-1800s as the “City of Trees” for the robust canopies that shelter its many parks and older residential neighborhoods. The tree-planting binge started by early residents never stopped, and today, Sacramento’s parks provide shady refuge for DogTrekkers, even on the hottest summer days. more »
Sacramento’s Tower Bridge, with pedestrian and bike lane.
Sacramento’s No. 1 tourist destination is as popular with locals as with visitors. And now that masks are off and smiles are on, it’s crazy hopping with activity again. The Old Sacramento Waterfront is loaded with history – it played a major role as a jumping off spot and supply center during the 1849 Gold Rush. With its waterfront location, wealth of historic buildings and protection as a state and national historic landmark, it retains an enduring charm. more »