When you want to have some fun outside…any of these places in Sacramento will be a hit with the kids! You can click on each venue for a link to their website.
AMUSEMENT PARKS
FAIRYTALE TOWN
William Land Park, 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA
(916) 808-7462
Fall/Winter Hours (November 1st – February 28th): Thursday – Sunday, 10 – 4
Spring/Summer Hours (March 1st – October 31st): Daily, 9 – 4
Guests in the park before 4pm may stay until 5pm.
General Admission $4.50 Weekdays/$5.50 Weekends Adults and Kids; FREE for Kids 2 and under
Annual passes available for a bargain
*Coupon available in the Entertainment Book
Ages 2 – 12 recommended
There are few places in the world like this little magical corner of Sacramento’s Land Park. Favorite fairytales and nursery rhymes are the backdrop for more than 25 colorful playsets, all designed to inspire creativity and literacy in young children. Nigerian Dwarf goats, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, a miniature Sicilian donkey, and a miniature Hereford cow are among the child-friendly creatures that you’ll find here. Located at various play sets around the park are storybook boxes. Insert your special key and you’ll hear a story and a song. The keys are available for purchase at the box office. The Dish & Spoon Café has snacks and drinks available at affordable prices. Throughout the year, both the Mother Goose Stage and the Children’s Theater are home to a variety of live performances in music, dance, puppetry, drama, storytelling, and more.
FUNDERLAND
William Land Park, 1350 17th Ave., Sacramento, CA
(916) 456-0115
Regular Hours (February – April, September – November): Fri., 12 – 5, Weekends 10 – 5
Summer Hours (May – Labor Day): Monday – Fri., 11-5, Sat. & Sun. 10 – 6
Admission is Free; Each ride requires 1 ticket per person
Weekday tickets: $1.50/each, $12.50 for Book of 10, Unlimited ride wristband $13.50
Weekend tickets: $1.75/each, $15.00 for Book of 10
*Coupons available on Funderland’s website and in the Entertainment Book
Ages 2 – 12 recommended
Funderland is a small-scale, old-fashioned amusement park. The park’s rides include a roller coaster, steam train, airplanes, cars, a carousel and more.
GOLFLAND SUNSPLASH
1893 Taylor Road, Roseville, CA
(916) 784-1273
Castle attraction hours: Mon. – Thurs. 10 am – 10 pm, Fri. 10 am – midnight, Sat. 9am – midnight, Sun. 11 – 9
(Sunsplash info – see Water Parks)
Miniature golfing – $7.75 Ages 12 +, $6.75 Ages 4 – 11, 3 and under FREE
Indy cars and Lazer Tag – See website for hours and rates.
*Monday nights 5 pm– close are Family Nights – $4.00 any age
SCANDIA FAMILY FUN CENTER
5070 Hillsdale Blvd., Sacramento, CA
(916) 331-0115
Summer Hours: Sun. – Thurs. 10:00 am – midnight, Fri. & Sat. 10:00 am – 1:00 am
Winter Hours: Sun. – Thurs. 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, Fri. & Sat. 10:00 am – midnight
Miniature golfing – $8.95 Adults, $6.95 Kids, 36” and under FREE with paying adult
Bumper boats, batting cages, gas power raceway, grand arcade with prize center, snack bar & new Sky Screamer attraction. See website for rates.
SIX FLAGS Discovery Kingdom
1001 Fairgrounds Drive
Vallejo, CA
(707) 643-6722
Park hours vary – see website for calendar
General Admission $42.99 and up
Season Passes $61.99 and up
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is a unique thrill ride amusement park mixed with an aquarium and zoo. It is located 55 miles from Sacramento in Vallejo. The officials at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom describe their park as a one of a kind amusement park, wildlife park and oceanarium. Offering extreme thrills, popular appeal with Loony Toons cartoon shows and educational displays and exhibits as well as many children’s rides.
MINIATURE GOLFING
GOLFLAND SUNSPLASH
1893 Taylor Road, Roseville, CA
(916) 784-1273
Castle attraction hours: Mon. – Thurs. 10 am – 10 pm, Fri. 10 am – midnight, Sat. 9am – midnight, Sun. 11 – 9
(Sunsplash info – see Water Parks)
Miniature golfing – $7.75 Ages 12 +, $6.75 Ages 4 – 11, 3 and under FREE
*Monday nights 5 – close are Family Nights – $4.00 any age
Indy cars and Lazer Tag – See website for hours and rates.
SCANDIA FAMILY FUN CENTER
5070 Hillsdale Blvd., Sacramento, CA
(916) 331-0115
Summer Hours: Sun. – Thurs. 10:00 am – midnight, Fri. & Sat. 10:00 am – 1:00 am
Winter Hours: Sun. – Thurs. 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, Fri. & Sat. 10:00 am – midnight
Miniature golfing – $8.95 Adults, $6.95 Kids, 36” and under FREE with paying adult
Bumper boats, batting cages, gas power raceway, grand arcade with prize center, snack bar & new Sky Screamer attraction. See website for rates.
MUSEUMS
CALIFORNIA STATE INDIAN MUSEUM
2628 K Street, Sacramento, CA
Located next to Sutter’s Fort
(916) 324-0971
Open 10 – 5 Daily; Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day
$2.00 Adults, $1.00 Kids 6-17, Kids 5 and under FREE
Parking tip: Metered parking on K and 26th streets. Meters free on Sundays.
The museum displays exhibits and artifacts illustrating the cultures of the state’s first inhabitants.
California Indian cultural artifacts in the museum include basketry, beadwork, clothing and exhibits about the ongoing traditions of various California Indian tribes. A section of the museum features a hands-on area, where visitors can try their hand at using Indian tools, such as the pump drill, used for making holes in shell beads and other materials; the mortar and pestle and soap root brush, made from the soap root plant, all used for grinding acorns.
SUTTER’S FORT STATE HISTORIC PARK
2701 L Street, Sacramento, CA
Located next to California State Indian Museum
(916) 445-4422
Open Daily 10 – 5
Adults $4.00, Kids 6-17 $2.00, Kids 5 and under FREE
Parking tip: Metered parking between K and L streets and 26th and 28th streets. Meters free on Sundays.
In 1839 a Swiss immigrant named John Sutter received a land grant in the Sacramento Valley from the Mexican government. He used the land to create a flourishing agricultural empire and named it New Helvetia (New Switzerland.) This empire established Sacramento’s earliest settlement and the first non-Indian settlement in California’s Central Valley. His reputation as a hospitable host who provided a temporary refuge to travelers made New Helvetia the destination for early immigrants to California. Less than a decade after they were established, Sutter’s properties were overrun by gold seekers and the fort is all that remains of New Helvetia. It has been restored to its former state based on an 1847 map published in Darmstadt, Germany. It is open daily for tours of the park and to view the collection of pioneer and early California artifacts.
Sutter’s Fort Living History and Pioneer Demonstration Days:
These are outstanding theatre and interpretive programs at the state historic park that re-create the everyday life and times at “Fort New Helvetia,” Sutter’s original name for the Fort. Admission Fees for these days are as follows: FREE for Kids 5 and under, $3.00 Kids 6 – 17, $6.00 Adults.
NATURE/HIKING
COSUMNES RIVER PRESERVE
13501 Franklin Blvd., Galt, CA
(916) 684-2816
Open sunrise to sunset, year-round
Visitor Center Open most weekdays, hours vary; 9-5 most weekends
Admission FREE
Parking $5.00/per vehicle donation
Click here for our experience at the Cosumnes River Preserve.
The Cosumnes is a small river, a mere 80 miles long. Its headwaters in the El Dorado National Forest rise at only 8,000′ above sea level. From mostly rain, but also snow melt, the river’s water meanders from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Central Valley, just south of Sacramento. Yet the Cosumnes River is far more important than its size would indicate. It is the only remaining unregulated river on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. The free-flowing nature of the river allows frequent and regular winter and spring overbank flooding that fosters the growth of native vegetation and the wildlife dependent on those habitats. More than 250 bird species, more than 40 fish species, and some 230 plant species have been identified on the Preserve. Check their website for themed, guided walks and activities.
Two trails for hiking:
The Cosumnes RiverWalk – a 3 mile dirt trail
Lost Slough Wetlands Walk – 1 mile concrete trail, universally accessible (great for wheelchairs and strollers)
EFFIE YEAW NATURE CENTER
Ancil Hoffman County Park, 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael, CA
(916) 489-4918
Feb. – Oct. Open Daily 9-5
Nov. – Jan. Open Daily 9-4
FREE
Parking $5.00/per vehicle
Click here for our experience at The Effie Yeaw Nature Center.
The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is an award-winning environmental and cultural education center located within the beautiful American River Parkway in Carmichael, California. Enjoy their 77-acre nature preserve featuring interpretive trails that meander through the riparian woodlands along the American River. See deer, coyotes, migratory songbirds and wild turkeys as you explore the preserve’s lush oak woodlands. Kids of all ages enjoy the The Discovery Room interactive exhibits. Check their website for themed, guided hikes and activities.
MAIDU INTERPRETIVE CENTER
1960 Johnson Ranch Drive, Roseville, CA
(916) 774-5934
Open Mon. – Fri. 9-4, Second Sat. 9:30-5
Daily Tours: Mon.-Fr. 10am, Second Sat. 10am & 1pm
Adults $4.00, Kids $3.75, $14 Family of Four
Weekday Afternoon Discount: Mon. – Fri. All age $2.00
The Maidu Interpretive Center and Historic Site offers a safe, fenced natural haven for families and individuals who want a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Graced by oak trees and bordered on the south by a branch of Linda Creek/Strap Ravine, the nature area offers a loop trail that takes you past ancient petroglyphs and hundreds of bedrock mortars for grinding acorns, evidence of Nisenan/Southern Maidu occupation of the site for thousands of years. Inside the museum you’ll find exhibits portraying the Maidu way of life. Check their website for guided hikes and activities.
Family Fun Days:
Every second Saturday from September through December, enjoy a whole day of family activities for one small price. Learn about the Maidu Indians, their culture and animals of the area and listen to traditional stories by Rick Adams.
You can spend an entire Saturday at the Center for only $14/family:
• 10:00am: Take a guided tour of the historic site, an ancient Indian village site
• 11:30am: Enjoy Native American stories around the trail or inside the museum
• 12:00pm Enjoy a picnic lunch on the patio and watch local wildlife in the garden
• 1:00pm: Beat the heat and enjoy the exhibits and hands on activities inside the museum
• 2:30pm: Enjoy Native American stories around the trail or inside the museum
PLACER NATURE CENTER
3700 Christian Valley Road, Auburn, CA
(530) 878-6053
Special Sunday Programs
Open every 2nd Sunday from 1 pm -4 pm for Adventures in Nature!
On these days, all the exhibit halls are open to everyone – including the Nature Shop.
Each Adventures in Nature has its own special topic, ranging from wild animals to wildflowers to compost to reptiles. Check the calendar to see what’s happening next. Guided nature walks may also available during these programs!
The Nature Trail is always open and is an easy loop. The trail is used during our school programs, so if you plan to come during a week day morning, please call ahead.
Nature Interpretive Trail
Easy loop perfect for a family hike or morning jog. Trail guide brochures are available for purchase ($1.50) or to borrow and return. Great for practicing track and scat identification and looking for wildflowers in the Spring. There is a small seasonal creek that crosses the middle of the trail with a wood bridge.
Sequoia Trail is a stroller and whellchair accessible loop bordering the garden with interpertive signs.
Woodlands Discovery Trail is just short of a mile. It is an easy hike with a shortcut in the middle for those who need to get back in a hurry. An interpertive map is availalbe and many weekend programs inlcude a guided hike.
UC DAVIS ARBORETUM
UC Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Valley Oak Cottage, CA
(530) 752-4880
Open 24 hours/day all year
FREE
Parking $6.00/car weekdays; FREE on weekends
The UC Davis Arboretum consists of 100 acres of beautiful gardens along the banks of the old north channel of Putah Creek. There are winding paths for walkers, joggers, or bicyclists, benches and picnic tables where visitors can sit and enjoy the view. Visitors may wander through the Arboretum on their own or join public tours. The main path is a 3.5 mile loop. See their website for a calendar of activities.
PONY RIDES/HORSEBACK RIDING
LAND PARK PONY RIDES
William Land Park, 3800 S. Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA
Fall, Winter, Spring: Open Sat., Sun. 11-4
Summer: Open Tues.– Sun. 11-4
Weekends and Holidays $3.50/ride, 3 for $9.00
Weekdays $3.00/ride, 3 for $7.50
Horse Ride $4.00
The Land Park Pony Rides are located in the park, across the street from the zoo, between Fairytale Town and Funderland. Riders must be led by an accompanying adult.
SPRAYGROUNDS
Click here to see a list of Sacramento Spraygrounds (AKA Parks with water features).
WATER PARKS
RAGING WATERS
1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA
(916) 924-3747
Open May 16th – September 20th
Park hours vary – see website for calendar
General Admission $27.99, Kids under 48” $19.99, Kids 2 and under FREE
Season Passes – Buy one General Admission $27.99 and get Splash Pass FREE
*See website for additional charges for parking and renting tubes (for the Lazy River or Wave Pool)
*They do not allow food or drink of any kind to be brought in to the park
Formerly Waterworld USA, this park has been completely renovated and turned into Raging Waters. Located in the heart of the city at Cal Expo, Raging Waters Sacramento features more than 25 exhilarating water attractions, breath-taking slides, a wave pool, river tubing and other fun-filled activities. For the younger kids, there is Hook’s Lagoon, complete with water toys and slides.
GOLFLAND SUNSPLASH
1893 Taylor Road, Roseville, CA
(916) 784-1273
Water Park open daily June 9th – August 16th, then weekends through September 7th
11 am – 6:30 pm (Open some nights on summer weekends 7:30pm – 11 pm)
General Admission $25.99, Kids under 48″ $19.99, Kids 2 and under $1.00
Twilight Admission (3:00 – 6:30 pm) all ages $18.99
This fun place has two 18-hole miniature golf courses, a 5,000-square-foot laser tag arena, more than 200 arcade games and a water park. The water-park has an adventure island, a wave pool, a lazy river and eight slide towers. The park does not permit outside food or drinks. It does have a pizza kitchen and snack bars serving a variety of foods and drinks.
FOLSOM AQUATIC CENTER
1200 Riley St, Folsom, CA
(916) 355-8318
Recreation Swim Hours: May 23rd – Sept. 7th
Monday – Saturday: 1 – 6:30pm
Sundays & Holidays: 1 – 6pm
Lap Swim/Recreational swim rates:
Ages 4 – 54 $6.00
Ages 2 -3 $4.00
Ages 55 & over $4.00
Under 2 Free
*snack bar is cash only
The activity pool offers something for everyone. The pool features a beach-slope entry, and two
play structures. The Tumble Buckets feature assures you’ll get soaked; its buckets continuously fill
with water and douse anyone playing below. The play structure features a slide, climbing ladders,
water cannons and adjustable sprayers that kids can control. And for the daring, our giant 165-foot twisting,
turning water slide will keep you coming back for more fun! a kiddie pool, which is shallow with little sprinkler
and shooting fountain type features.
ROSEVILLE AQUATIC CENTER
3051 Woodcreek Oaks Blvd.
(916) 774-5262
Open mid-April through Labor Day each year.
Recreational Swim Monday – Friday, June 15 – August 7, 1:00 – 4:30pm
Saturday – Sunday, May 23 – September 7, 1:00 – 5:00pm.
Children under 2: FREE with an adult admission, 2 – 4 years old $2.00, 5 and over $5.00
Family Night Swim:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, June 15 – August 7, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Children under 2: FREE with an adult admission.
2 – 4 years old: $1 per person
5+ years: $3 per person
The Roseville Aquatics Complex includes the Summer Sanders Olympic-size competition pool, a zero-depth recreation pool with beach entry, a 150-foot water-slide, and a children’s interactive water play area and the Wave Cafe.
WACKFORD AQUATIC COMPLEX
9014 Bruceville Road, Elk Grove, CA
(916) 405-5600
Open May – September
Weekday Hours (June 8th – August 14th) 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Weekend Hours (May 23rd – Sept 13th) 12:00 – 5:00
Adults & kids 5 and up $5.00, Kids ages 2 – 4 $3.00;
$45.00 for 10-visit pass; Season passes available
*Buy one get one free coupon available in Entertainment Book
*Your child cannot wear floaties or a suit with floaties in it, but they have life vests available for free
*You can bring your own food and drinks
The Wackford Community and Aquatic Complex features a 25 meter by 25 yard competition lap pool, a zero-depth entry recreation pool with a 146 foot water slide and waterplay features, and a spray pool for children 6 and under.
ZOOS, Etc.
FOLSOM ZOO
403 Stafford St., Folsom, CA
(916) 351-3527
Regular Hours Tues. – Sun. 10 – 4
Summer Hours (June 1-August 31) 9 – 3
Adults $4.00 Weekdays,$5.00 Weekends; Kids 2 – 12 $3.00 Weekdays, $4.00 Weekends, Kids under 2 FREE
*Half-price Admission: The first Tuesday of every month, September through February
Click here for our experience at the Folsom Zoo.
Since 1963, this small unique California zoo has been providing sanctuary to some very special animals. All are non-releasable. Many were raised, and rejected, as wild pets. Others were injured or orphaned in the wild. Most are native to North America. All have names and personalities, and their individual stories are posted at the exhibits, along with factual, up-to-date information about their species.The distinctive educational focus of the zoo promotes responsible and appropriate behavior toward all animals. The zoo teaches about common and uncommon animals, both wild and domestic, and includes those in between, like feral pigs and wolf-dog hybrids. Zoo programs stress that wild animals don’t make good pets
This is not a “mainstream” zoo. Rather, it is a sanctuary in management and philosophy, except that it is open to the public, for a fee, six days a week. Animals live out their lives here. People who “don’t like zoos” are generally comfortable here.
A highlight of this zoo for kids is their little train rides!
The Folsom Valley Railway:
Train Fare $2.00
Train Schedule: February – May: Tuesday – Friday 11am – 2pm
Saturday and Sunday 11am – 4pm
June – August: Tuesday – Friday 10am – 1pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am – 3pm
September – November: Tuesday – Friday 11am – 1pm
Saturday and Sunday 11am – 4pm
December 26 – New Year Day: Tuesday – Friday 11am – 1pm
Saturday and Sunday 11am – 4pm
January 2009: Saturday and Sunday 11am – 4pm
HAGAN COMMUNITY PARK PETTING BARN
2197 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova
(916) 362-1841
Open May – September, Saturday & Sunday 12 – 4
FREE
Click here to see our experience at the Petting Barn.
When children visit this cute petting barn, they can interact with a donkey, goat, lamb, rabbits, chickens and more. The park also offers a Steam Train Ride for FREE on the 1st Saturday of the month and the 3rd Sunday from 12 – 4.
Storytime in the Barn:
Offered all year long on Tuesdays from 10 – 10:45.
$5.00/per child; $16.00 for 4-pass punch card
SACRAMENTO ZOO
3930 W Land Park Dr
(916) 508-5888
Regular hours 9 – 4 Daily
Winter hours (Nov, Dec, Jan) 10 – 4 Daily
Weekday Admission: Adults $9.00, Kids 3 – 12 $6.50, 2 and under FREE
Weekend & Holiday Admission: Adults $9.50, Kids 3 – 12 $7.00, 2 and under FREE
Zoo and Fairytale Town Combination Tickets available
*FREE Admission Day: Dec 24th
*Half-price Admission Day: November 27th
The Sacramento Zoo is home to over 140 native, rare and endangered species. Animals you might see: Black & white ruffed lemur, Chimpanzee, Coquerel’s sifaka, Sumatran orangutan, White-faced saki, White-handed gibbon,
African lion, Jaguar, Snow leopard, Sumatran tiger, Addax, Bongo, Grevy’s Zebras, Retriculated giraffes, Bennett’s wallaby, Giant anteater, Red panda, Two-toed sloth, Reptile House – snakes, lizards, Tree frogs, turtles/tortoises,
Abyssinian ground hornbill, African gray parrot, American flamingos, Bateleur eagle, Buton hornbill, Emu, Great hornbill, Kookaburra, Lady Ross’ turaco, Ostrich.
