Three cheap outdoor activities people of all ages can try this weekend in Sacramento area
The weather conditions this weekend in Sacramento will be downright pleasant — compared to those triple-digit scorchers we know all too well — with temperatures peaking in the low to mid-90s.
Sacramento is rich with opportunities to get outside, get active and enjoy the sunshine. So here are three outdoor recreational activities we’d recommend.
Rent a kayak at Lake Natoma
Water sports can be intimidating if you’re new to them. But the Sacramento State Aquatic Center at Lake Natoma makes it easy to break in and potentially develop fun new hobbies.
Renting a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board is as easy as filling out a waiver and throwing on a life jacket. Of course, proper training is highly suggested, and the friendly folks at the aquatic center also offer lessons in sailing, windsurfing, outrigger canoeing, wake boarding, water skiing and more.
Renting a single-person kayak costs $14 an hour while a double or canoe costs $18, which means you can spend hours on the lake without breaking the bank. And it’s a particularly good option for beginners given it’s a “no-wake” lake, meaning boats with motors must obey a 5 mile-per-hour speed limit to help keep the waters calm. Of course, there’s no hiding from direct sunlight, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen. And don’t be afraid to hop in the lake to cool down.
More information can be found at sacstateaquaticcenter.com.
Hit the driving range
Haggin Oaks has been a staple in the Sacramento golf scene for years, and it’s continuing to improve and offer more things to do, even for inexperienced golfers.
The driving range for a few years has had Top Tracer technology, a launch monitor and simulator that tracks shots and allows you to play virtual rounds at famous courses like Pebble Beach or the Old Course at St. Andrews. But there’s also a recently-added tap hut that serves craft beer and cocktails along with the “Hangout” food truck. Each hitting bay has seats for friends, and there’s a lounge area behind the range to relax.
If you’d rather not spend hundreds of dollars at Top Golf, Haggin offers a cheaper alternative that won’t charge you by the hour. You just pay for your range balls and stay as long as you’d like. There’s also a miniature golf course. Getting 100 balls, roughly an hour’s worth, costs $18 while 150 balls cost $24.
The driving range is open until midnight through October — but the secret is out. The range can get crowded on warm summer nights. A pro tip: If the front of the range is too crowded, try the other side of the range by taking the road to the left side of the parking lot. The stalls on the west side of the range don’t have top tracer or the amenities like seats, the beer hut or the food truck. But the range balls are cheaper and you’re far more likely to have the wind at your back. It’s a better option if you’re going alone and want to work on your game, while the east side is better for groups.
Jenkinson Lake hike
Hikers who want to be challenged — but aren’t quite ready to scale Half Dome — could find a fun afternoon near Pollock Pines by taking the eight-to-nine mile jaunt around Jenkinson Lake. The forest surrounding the lake provides a good amount of shade for hikers, while the trail includes paved roads in addition to duff and dirt. There are no fees to park your car and the park is open from sunrise to sunset, so the 3 ½-hour hike (give or take) can be done early in the morning or toward the evening.
The distance of the hike can vary depending on the route. There are many access points to fishing spots on the lake and crowded camp grounds to navigate. But users on the hiking website AllTrails have given 2,290 reviews averaging 4.5 stars. The hike offers a little bit of everything: lake side views, forests, mountains, flowers and even water falls, which shouldn’t be taken for granted given how bad the drought was in the area before last winter’s historic rain and snowfall.
