With over 275 acres of mature trees and grasslands, Discovery Park offers a plethora of activities for you to enjoy. Whether you're looking to have a picnic, go horseback riding, or just a leisurely stroll through the park - there is much to be found and "discovered" in Discovery Park.
Highly regarded as one of the best boat launches in Sacramento, many people spend the day fishing or just hanging out while taking in the beautiful scenery of the city. There is even an archery range for those who are into camp style sports. Picnic spots are plentiful, and on just about any day of the week you can see tons of families and couples enjoying a picnic beneath a shady tree.
If you’re looking for something a little more active, bring your bike and take a ride along the 32-mile Jedediah Smith Bike Trail which circles the park. Alternatively, you can enjoy a hike or walk on several smaller trails nestled throughout the park.
During the summer, take in one of their free summer concerts that attract not only local bands but some pretty famous ones as well. There is a total diversity of local acts that make their way to the park to entertain the hundreds of people that come out for a real taste of Sacramento.
Discovered over 100 years ago, millions of people have made this park a place where they can meet and greet, have lunch, enjoy the sun, and catch great fish. If you haven’t visited this park then it is time to get out there and join them. You’ll be glad you did!
Getting There
Discovery Park is relatively easy to find. Take the Richards Blvd exit from the I-5 and then head westbound till you reach the South entrance of the park.
Nestled in the heart of Sacramento is a gem worth more than gold, Old Sacramento State Historic Park. The park is actually comprised of various buildings that were of significant value during the Gold Rush period. There are more than fifty buildings that overlook the park, and the entire state park is twenty-eight acres. There are always plenty of activities scheduled for the landmark historic sites and there are many theatrical reenactments that take place as well. Many of the festivals and reenactments at Old Sacramento are free of charge and open to the public.
Old Sacramento also features a number of different museums that provide plenty of entertainment as well as educational activities. In fact, more than five million visitors come to Old Sacramento Historic Park annually, and it has also been said to be the best place for a first date.
Things to do
Along with touring the number of historic buildings and landmarks, the park features a number of bike trails. There are also many exhibits as well as educational programs that focus on the historical aspects of the park. There are plenty of places to shop at as there are over one hundreds stores in the Old Sacramento district. You’ll also enjoy the choice of dining from one of the delicious restaurants located in the area. Situated adjacent to the Sacramento River, many of the restaurants provide beautiful scenic waterfront views.
Entertainment choices abound with mystery theaters, plays, and other forms of art. You’ll enjoy taking a carriage ride through the streets or relax at one of the nightclubs. From chartered boat cruises to live jazz concerts, entertainment choices abound at Old Sacramento.
Getting There
To reach Old Sacramento State Historic Park take Interstate 5 to the J Street exit in downtown Sacramento. The J Street exit is the entrance into the park.
Sacramento, the capital city of California, was recently ranked as number 13 in a list of best cities for singles in the United States. It is not surprising, therefore, that the city offers some dating ideas for the romantically inclined.
Delta King Hotel
One of the first romantic ideas that comes to mind when thinking of romance is the Delta King Hotel. This converted steamboat cruised the Sacramento river year ago, but now is permanent anchored on the river front and has been converted into a hotel. The Delta King has one of the finer restaurants in the Sacramento area. There is also a dinner theater on board. There are several packages offered that include dinner, and tickets to the theater. One of the packages is called "The Romance Package." However, this might not be appropriate for first dates, as it includes overnight lodging at the hotel with turn down service and a continental breakfast in the morning.
Horsedrawn Carriage
Taking a page from New York City and the Capitals of Europe, Sacramento offers a romantic horse drawn carriage tour of the historic downtown area. The Classic Coach Carriage Service is one of the best in the city. They offer four different tours, but since they charge by the hour, they are quite open to letting you plan your own trip. The tours can be educational, but also proceed slowly enough to be conducive to a bit of romance as well.
Romantic Dining
There is always that old standby, the romantic candle lit dinner, to top off the evening. The area boasts many small and intimate restaurants where love can blossom and the palate be satisfied at the same time. If you really want to impress your date, a good choice is The Kitchen. Despite the rather pedestrian name, this restaurant is a treat.
Three or four times a week, The Kitchen features a six course dinner prepared in front of groups of dinners who sit around a large U shaped table and watch the food preparation while the head chef entertains them. One reviewer stated that the chef had missed his calling as a stand up comic. The food is excellent, and you are welcome to seconds and thirds of your favorites. The ambiance is one of elegance and romance. It is quite expensive, but comes highly recommended and most diners say the experience is well worth the additional cost. That's sounds like just the ticket to impress your date and maybe stir a bit of romance.
Day Spa
Another romantic date idea that might be a real icebreaker is a trip to one of the city's spas. One good choice is the Way Within Spa. It features such exotic treats as Swedish, deep-tissue, and Thai yoga massages. The Way Within offers several couples packages specifically designed for daters.
There are some people who would claim that with the right partner, any date is going to be a fun date. However, with a little bit of effort you should be able to find that special and unique date that will make your date not only fun, but also memorable.
There are tons of fun date ideas to be found in Sacramento, you just need to figure out where to go. To get you started, here are a few things to do in Sacramento if you're looking for a fun date.
Hot Air Balloon
One fun date idea that might stir a bit of excitement is a hot air balloon ride. Cheers Over California is one company offering hot air balloon rides in the Sacramento area. The balloons can be rented by the day or for shorter amounts of time. All that is needed is a place to set them up, and to land them. This is a great idea for a group date and not nearly as expensive as you might imagine. Soaring quietly over the country side suspended in the gondola and sipping some fine wine is not only fun, but romantic as well.
The Zoo
If you would rather have a date on dry land, head for the Sacramento Zoo. It is hard not to have fun at any zoo, but the Sacramento zoo is one of the best, featuring 400 animals including a Snow Leopard and Red Panda. The zoo has tours and lectures, and a very modest admission price.
Museums
Another fun choice for a daylight date is the California Railroad Museum. It is one of the largest of its type anywhere, and is very interactive with locomotives from the Gold Rush days to crawl over and look into. One well known travel rating service recently selected this attraction the #1 thing to do in Sacramento. There are also quite a few other museums that are worth your time such as the Crocker Art Museum and the California Museum for History.
Sacramento also has an NBA basketball team, and a varied and active night life. The choices are many for daters looking for exciting experiences, and you should never have to resort to anything that could not be considered fun date.
With over 275 acres of mature trees and grasslands, Discovery Park offers a plethora of activities for you to enjoy. Whether you're looking to have a picnic, go horseback riding, or just a leisurely stroll through the park - there is much to be found and "discovered" in Discovery Park.
Sacramento, the capital city of California, was recently ranked as number 13 in a list of best cities for singles in the United States. It is not surprising, therefore, that the city offers some dating ideas for the romantically inclined.
There are some people who would claim that with the right partner, any date is going to be a fun date. However, with a little bit of effort you should be able to find that special and unique date that will make your date not only fun, but also memorable.