Yesterday morning I decided that staying in was not an option for the boys and I.  We took advantage of the gorgeous sunshine and went to McKinley Park.  In my opinion, it is the best park in Sacramento!  I recently saw that Sacramento News & Review listed it as Best Picnic Spot and Best Playground.

Our Experience:

We wandered through the huge Rose Garden admiring all the beautiful colors.  Then we headed on over to the lake where we fed the ducks.  Isn’t it always fun, no matter what age you are?!  Once our bread was gone, we found a shady spot for our picnic.  Throughout our entire lunch, we were entertained by squirrels playing chase.  With the gorgeous greenery, the ducks, geese and squirrels, people walking their dogs and families playing…this park has a wonderful ambience!

The playground is a hit with kids of all ages.  The castle-like climbing structure is perfect for playing tag and hide-and-go-seek.  There are swings, bridges, slides, a tire swing, and monkey bars for the big kids and a tot lot complete with a sand pit for the little ones.

After getting their wiggles out, we walked over to McKinley Library for Toddler Storytime.  They really enjoyed the stories, songs and craft.  The librarian there is so great with kids!

The Expense:

A three hour outing filled with a variety of activities for FREE!

Tips:

Sometimes parking close to the lake and playground is limited, so if you have little ones, I suggest bringing a stroller for heading back to the car when they are exhausted.  If you have toddlers or preschool-age kids then try to combine your trip to this park with storytime at the library.  It is right next to the playground.  Toddler storytime is 11:00 on Tuesdays, Preschool storytime is at 11:00 on Wednesdays.

Don’t forget to bring bread for the ducks!

McKinley Park
601 Alhambra Blvd.
Sacramento, CA

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We have been lucky with such great weather this year.  I can’t believe that I am still wearing my flip-flops!  So before it gets too cold to do anything outside, take advantage and do some of these fun things with your kids.  Some of these activities are even more enjoyable without the sun beating down on you!

1.  Play at Fairytale Town.

2.  Visit the animals at Sacramento Zoo or Folsom Zoo.

3.  Hike at Cosumnes River Preserve or Effie Yeaw Nature Center.

4.  Learn something new at Sutter’s Fort and the California State Indian Museum.

5.  Go Miniature Golfing at Golfland Sunsplash or Scandia Family Fun Center.

6.  Try horseback riding at Gibson Ranch.

7.  Take a picnic to Mckinley Park and feed the ducks.

8.  Go bike riding in Discovery Park.

9.  Taste holiday pies on Apple Hill.

10.  Visit the Sea Lions at Pier 39 in San Francisco.

One of the most fun and memorable things to do with kids in October is to go to a Pumpkin Patch!  Whether you simply want to pick out that perfect pumpkin to carve or make a day of it by enjoying the other attractions, there are many wonderful patches in the Sacramento area.  We’ve enjoyed Dave’s Pumpkin Patch and the Silverbend Pumpkin Patch with our kids in past years.  This year we are excited to try out The Pumpkin Farm, Dave’s Pumpkin Patch or Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm.  They have great pictures on their websites, lots of attractions and look  like a ton of fun!  We will also try to get to Fog Willow Pumpkin Farm.  It looks like it could be the best value around.

Remember to bring something to hold your pumpkin/s in, small bills for admission, attractions and snacks.  Leave your flip-flops and sandals at home and be prepared to walk in dirt.  Don’t forget your camera…there are great photo opportunities at pumpkin patches!

CITRUS HEIGHTS

The Pumpkin Farm
7736 Old Auburn Road, Citrus Heights, CA
(916) 726-1137
Open Daily, 9am to 6pm
Hayrides, pony rides, haunted barn, petting zoo, jumping castle, tower slides, go-kart train rides, scarecrows, and giant pumpkins.

CLARKSBURG

Silver Bend Pumpkin Patch
34600 South River RD, Clarksburg
916-744-1409
Open Monday - Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday - Sunday 10am-6pm, closed Tuesday.
Train rides, hay maze,hay rides, indian village.

DAVIS

Impossible Acres
26565 Road 97D, Davis, CA
530-750-0451
Call for hours
Pick-your-own produce: boysenberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, peaches, apples, pumpkins, corn, gourds. Goats, ponies, chickens, hayrides, mazes, scarecrows.

ELK GROVE

Keema Family Pumpkin Patch
6532 Point Pleasant Road, Elk Grove, CA, 95757
(916) 684-2334
Open Tuesday - Sunday, 11am - sunset
Farm Animals, Hay Pyramid, Pumpkins from $1 and up.

FAIR OAKS

Pumpkin Hill
5415 Kenneth Avenue, Fair Oaks, CA 95826
(916) 966-4111
Open Monday - Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday - Sunday 8am - 7pm
Pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, child-sized haybale maze, wagon rides, whaunted trail, snacks and refreshment stand, petting zoo, farm animals.

LODI

Phillips Farms / Michael David Vineyards
4580 West Highway 12, Lodi, CA
(209) 368-7384 or (209) 368-5801
Open Monday - Friday 12pm-5pm; Saturday - Sunday 9am-5pm
Monday - Thursday FREE admission - pumpkin picking only.
Friday - Sunday admission for Adults $6.00, Kids $3.00
Pumpkin patch-already gathered from the field.   Weekends - games, tunnels, bounce house, food, farm animals.

Natomas

Pumpkin Acres
3101 El Centro Road, South Natomas, CA
(916) 929-7546
Open daily  9am to 6pm

Goblin Gardens Pumpkin Patch
3845 El Centro Road, Sacramento, CA
(916) 416-1133
Open Daily, 10am - 7pm or dusk
Hay pyramid, largest corn maze in Sacramento County, hay maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, antique tractors, slide, blow-up inflatables, produce and kiddie cars.

ROSEVILLE

Sleepy Hollow Pumpkin Patch
210 S. Harding Blvd., Roseville
(916) 786-7979
Monday - Thursday, 3pm to 9pm and Saturday - Sunday, 10am to 9pm
FREE admission
Train ride through the haunted mine shaft, corn maze, petting zoo, ferris wheel, carousel, food.

SACRAMENTO

Roemer Pumpkin Patch
6851 Hedge Road, Sacramento
(916)381-4331
Tuesday - Friday 2pm-5pm; Saturday - Sunday 9am - 5pm
Free parking, free admission, free hayrides (wkds only), free hay pyramid, and a free hay maze, free wagons to pull pumpkins in.  5 acre corn maze (wkds only) - $2.50 admission fee

WEST SACRAMENTO

Dave’s Pumpkin Patch
3010 Burrows Ave
West Sacramento, CA 95691
(916) 849-9450
Open daily 10am to Dusk, Fri & Sat till 9pm.
Hay rides, pony rides, bbq, free wagons to haul your pumpkin in from the field.

WHEATLAND

Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm
1415 Pumpkin Lane, Wheatland, CA
(530) 633-2568
Open Sunday -Thursday 9am to 6pm and Friday- Saturday 9am to 7pm
Admission is free. Parking is free on weekdays and $10 on weekends. Corn maze and Coyote Mountain admission is
$3.50 each. BPF Railroad tickets is $2.50. Coupons are available online.
Petting Zoo, Train, Hayride, Play areas - slides, swings, tree house; Shops, Bake Shop, Apple Cider machine, Corn Maze, Coyote Mountain - special slides & pan for gold.

WILTON

Fog Willow Pumpkin Farm
11011 Cecatra Drive, Wilton, CA
(916) 687-4547
Open daily, 9:30am to 6pm
$3 per person, FREE for kids 3 and under
Barrel train, hay rides, petting zoo, pony rides, crafts, haystack and barbecue during the weekends.