Visiting Sacramento CA from Maine, suggestions for areas of interest?

[blunt]

Hi,

I am flying out to Sacramento, CA for work (June 20-26) and will have a weekend when I first get out there to take a rental car and go exploring. I have been to Lake Tahoe once in the winter time but never made it out to check out the Rubicon Trail or too many other places of interest around the area. I am hoping that I could get some suggestions of things to do over the weekend that won't cost me much more than gas. I have a couple Land Cruisers and enjoy wheeling/hiking/outdoor exploring. I thought I would have the best luck finding fun places to go from fellow 'Mud members. I know that I will have a rental that will be a car, so wheeling from the driver's seat is not an option unless I rent a vehicle when I am out there.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


Barrett

 

[yzftaco]

I'm sorry...

Seriously though if you could make it out a couple days before that's the weekend of Rubithon... Maybe catch a ride with someone..

Yosemite isn't that far from Sac. either. plenty of hiking there..

 

[blunt]

That is too bad! I am always a day (or 3) late and a dollar (or $10,000) short!

It looks like the Rubithon will be going on that weekend. I would imagine that it is a hard thing to be a spectator for. I'm sure it would be cool to at least stop by Georgetown to see the area and meet some people.

I will do some research on Yosimite to see where some of the better places are to see.

Thanks for the input, I hope others will give some more ideas.

 

[Brentbba]

Haven't been to Sacramento in years, so no suggestions, but could you swing by the legislature and give them a kick in the ass for being such morons? While you are there, will you please find our esteemed treasurer Bill Lockyer and give him a few bucks. He could use it.

 

[blunt]

Is there one end of the trail that everyone will be coming out of on Sunday? That may be worth checking out as well. Would that be Georgetown?

I am thinking that I may make a loop from Sacramento to Yosimite then to the Rubicon and spend a day at each. Maybe there won't be anything except a few rigs here and there to look at Sunday?

 

[FJ40_owner]

Is there one end of the trail that everyone will be coming out of on Sunday? That may be worth checking out as well. Would that be Georgetown?

I am thinking that I may make a loop from Sacramento to Yosimite then to the Rubicon and spend a day at each. Maybe there won't be anything except a few rigs here and there to look at Sunday?

Sac to Yosemite is at least a full day and more. You are looking at a 4 hour drive one way, not including the touristy wait to get into the park. Once in the park you will want to observe and perhaps hike. I generally spend a week there, off season of course.

Rubithon does not start in Georgetown. Small groups meet at the second dam at Loon Lake and make their way to Rubicon Springs. PM me for a trail map with Lat and Lon info for the various landmarks.


You could drive a rental car to the Loon Lake trail head and walk the trail. Bring water, hiking boots and notify two people where you are going and when you will be back.

Have fun

 

[e9999]

visiting Sac...? not intending to do that for pleasure I hope...!


well, aside from the trails, the railroad museum is terrific (decent use for pork money?) and just the ticket for a tech-inclined heavy steel cruiser head...

 

[Cube Dweller]

I've lived here since 1993. Unique things to see in Sacramento:

1. Sutter's Fort. It's sort of a living history museum of what it was like during the 1850's in California. There's a nice little cafe nearby called Bernardo's where you can have a good but cheaper breakfast or lunch, then walk to the fort.

2. Sutter's Mill/Marshall Gold Discovery site. See where the California Gold Rush started. The park is 45 minutes east of downtown Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park You could drive up highway 50 to 49, check out the Marshall park, then continue on North to Auburn. You'll pass the cutoff to 193, the highway that leads to Georgetown. Right before Auburn you'll cross the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the American River. They drain into Folsom Lake a couple miles past the confluence. Auburn is a great gold rush town and there are some decent restaurants in old town.

3. Towe auto museum. Also downtown. Decent display. California Automobile Museum

4. Railroad Museum. Very nice display in old town. Old town is kinda meh, but you can grab a sandwich and see the old trains. California State Railroad Museum Foundation - Welcome

5. Like Jim wrote, you could also drive up 50 to Loon Lake and hike into the Rubicon. You could easily make Little Sluice in a couple hours and watch the carnage.

6. Tahoe to me is a nice place for family camping. I haven't been in a casino there in years, I think 15 or so.

 

[yzftaco]

Is there one end of the trail that everyone will be coming out of on Sunday? That may be worth checking out as well.

To answer this question... the Tahoe side, not Loon lake will be the side most vehicles are leaving...

it's in Tahoma (Lake Tahoe)

 

[D'Animal]

X - 3 on Yosemite

 

[Pighead]

Lived in Sac 20-some years...
Avoid Sutters Fort unless you have kids, like crowds, or are a serious history buff.
Ditto Old Town.
Second the Idea of driving to loon, (stop at Uncle Tom's Cabin for a beer) and hike the trail if you can't catch a ride. You can walk it faster than drive it.

 

[blunt]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions to do (or not do) certain things while I am out in your area. It is too bad that I don't have more time to spend out there, but at least I can hit Yosimite and Rubicon shortly.

I do think that hiking out to some sites on the Rubicon sounds daunting. The summer heat will be a lot for someone who may see 90* temps twice a year. I will have to assess the situation when I get there and be prepared either way.

Thanks again!

 

[lcolon]

California is such a diverse state that it is really hard to decide 1 specific thing to do. I would do some research and either go up to Lake Tahoe, take in the hiking, the lake, Fishing, casinos, etc. - or - I would go to Yosemite and enjoy the beautiful Yosemite valley. In either case, you will get just a taste of both of these locations. You could see the Yosemite valley, take in Glacier Point, and perhaps (if you are up to it) hike up Half Dome (a full day trip). In either case, enjoy your time in California.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I've lived here since 1984. I avoid Sutter's Fort and Old Sac, though the Railroad Museum is top notch.

If you could get to Loon Lake on Wednesday, you could see everyone staging for the Rubicon and maybe even hike/ride along. For a Cruiserhead, that's pretty cool.

On Saturday, everyone will be coming out through Tahoma in Lake Tahoe. Not as good as having experienced the whole thing.

There is so much to see, it's impossible to see everything within a day's drive. Yosemite is OK, but with just a day, it feels fake. With a few days, you can hike away from the crowds and really get a feel for the place.

Hiking across the Rubicon and having someone carry your stuff would really clue you into the Sierras and the Rubicon in particular.

 

[Enigma]

It's looking like I'll have lots of room for a passenger for Rubithon should you be so inclined. I'll need a winch bitch Oh, and bring a winch.

 

[blunt]

I've lived here since 1984. I avoid Sutter's Fort and Old Sac, though the Railroad Museum is top notch.

If you could get to Loon Lake on Wednesday, you could see everyone staging for the Rubicon and maybe even hike/ride along. For a Cruiserhead, that's pretty cool.

On Saturday, everyone will be coming out through Tahoma in Lake Tahoe. Not as good as having experienced the whole thing.

There is so much to see, it's impossible to see everything within a day's drive. Yosemite is OK, but with just a day, it feels fake. With a few days, you can hike away from the crowds and really get a feel for the place.

Hiking across the Rubicon and having someone carry your stuff would really clue you into the Sierras and the Rubicon in particular.

Thanks Cruiserdrew. I do wish I had more time to explore, but that is not in the cards for this trip. I would probably be better off to spend both days in one location (Rubicon or Yosimite) but I am trying to see a little of each. Even the drive from one place to another is nice for someone from the other coast. I live next to Acadia National Park in Maine and know all too well the difference of finding places away from the crowds to really capture the experience. With more time (and $) I'm sure I would be able to enjoy the sights and terrain much better.

It's looking like I'll have lots of room for a passenger for Rubithon should you be so inclined. I'll need a winch bitch Oh, and bring a winch.

Wow, I really appreciate the offer! I won't be flying in until Friday night though. I doubt that would work into your plans, but let me know if it does. I could probably just check the winch through airport security as a carry-on, right?