Proudly serving our region as SACRAMENTO’S #1 HOSPITAL

We take pride in advancing health and improving lives in new ways, here at home and beyond.

As Sacramento’s No. 1 hospital and its only nationally ranked academic medical center, we’re honored to bring together expertise, research, and innovation to understand what makes our patients unique — so our communities can be stronger and healthier.

There are many ways that we provide extraordinary care, including:

 World-class expertise from doctors rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by patients

 More than 150 specialties with nationally ranked adult and pediatric care

 17 primary care clinics with telehealth options for urgent needs and same-day video visits

 Sacramento’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, offering early-stage clinical trials and the latest diagnosis and treatment options

 Home to the region’s only nationally ranked, comprehensive children’s hospital with a level I Children’s Surgery Center verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS)

 Magnet ® designation – the nation’s highest recognition for nursing excellence

From routine check-ups to life-saving treatments, you’ll always have an expert team behind you with UC Davis Health.

Sunny days in Sacramento bring a lot of opportunities to get outdoors with the kids and let them run . . . or bike or swim or float.

With an abundance of trails, beaches and water parks, the Sacramento region is a literal playground for kids and families during summer months. Two rivers (the Sacramento and American) and two lakes (Natoma and Folsom) provide natural waterways for fun—and much of this shoreline is accessible from one of the most fabulous recreational trails in the world. Furthermore, with summer temps that make the outdoors a lot more fun when water is added, the area has a collection of water parks with lots of amenities, from slides and fountains to diving boards and floating features.

American River Parkway—The famous bike trail runs for 32 miles between Discovery Park and Folsom Lake’s Beals Point with numerous access points, beaches and parks along the way. Paved for road cyclists and roller skaters, with dirt trails shooting off for mountain bikers—and plenty of space for walkers and runners—the trail is a recreationalist’s dream. A couple of noteworthy pedestrian bridges: Guy West Bridge between University Avenue and the Sacramento State campus and the Fair Oaks Truss Bridge. Bring the older kids out to explore—it’s mostly level, much of it is shaded, and there are lots of spots to stop and picnic along the way. It’s public and popular, so it’s not an ideal spot for toddlers on training wheels, and trail etiquette must be followed in order to keep everyone safe. Some highlights: William B. Pond park, Ancil Hoffman Park and the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, and Sunrise Boulevard River Access. etinovice rafters). Bring your water weapons, sunscreen throughout the parkway.

Lower American River Rafting—Rent rafts from a couple of different outfitters and ride the gentler portion of the American River from put-in near Sunrise Boulevard to take-out at River Bend Park (American River Raft Rentals) or Harrington Access (River Rat Rafting)—and catch the shuttle back to your vehicle. It’s a lazy float that lasts three to five hours, with the enlivening San Juan Rapids partway through (still considered safe for novice rafters). Bring your water weapons, sunscreen and plenty of snacks, but no alcohol. It’s prohibited throughout the parkway.

Lake Natoma—Formed by Folsom Dam on one side and Nimbus Dam on the other, Lake Natoma straddles Rancho Cordova and Folsom, and is essentially a broad point on the American River, with trails on both sides. It’s peaceful and shady. The Sacramento State Aquatic Center—a national boating instruction safety center—rents paddleboards, kayaks and canoes from its facility at Hazel Avenue; workshop and classes are also available for people who want to learn to paddle, windsurf, waterski and ride personal watercraft.

Folsom Lake—This reservoir on the American River straddles Placer, El Dorado and Sacramento counties, and includes 75 miles of shoreline.

Cosumnes River Preserve—About 20 miles south of Sacramento lies a 51,000-acre nature preserve filled with birds and other wildlife. Wander the boardwalks over the slough and follow the interpretive signage along trails that lead through the riparian oak forests. The kids will spot birds, bugs, rodents and more.

Water Parks

The region is rife with spraygrounds and community pools. Here are some of the larger water parks.

Wake Island—An 80acre water park north of Sacramento includes a massive aqua park—a floating playground where kids and adults can leap from spot to spot, slide, roll and climb. There are floating hamster wheels, wakeboarding, cabanas, a Ninja racecourse and a zipline.

Wackford Aquatic Complex—In Elk Grove, this community water park and aquatic complex has a 45-footlong inflatable called Double Trouble, and a 160-foot waterslide, Typhoon Tower, and lots of water features for kids of all ages.

Cal Expo—The water park at Cal Expo, formerly a Raging Waters site that closed after the pandemic, is expected to reopen under new ownership, Silverwood Entertainment. miles of shoreline.

Major beaches with day-use areas include Granite Bay and Beals Point, and some wonderful hiking trails can be accessed from Folsom Point, Browns Ravine and Salmon Falls, among other spots. The lake draws anglers, personal watercraft riders and power boaters. This summer promises sufficient lake levels for boat launching—perfect for water skiing, tubing, sailing and all matter of water fun.

Roseville Golfland Sunsplash—With many slides and rides, including The Vortex, Master Blaster Water Coaster, The Twin Twisters and the Thunder Bay Wavepool, this park in Roseville draws families from far and wide during the summer. Also on site: an arcade, miniature golf course, laser tag, bumper cars and a fast-car raceway.

Steve Miklos Aquatic Center—

Another great place for kids in the summer, Folsom’s biggest water park includes a zero-entry shallow pool with spray structure and, in the deep pool, a floating obstacle course as well as low and high diving boards. In between: a fast, twisty slide. Whether you’ve got tots or teenagers, there’s a way for them to get wet.

Outdoor fun, family meals, sweets and sights—Sacramento has all that and more to make the perfect family vacation.