October is a magical time in California. The tree leaves turn color and turn the entire landscape a barrage of beautiful orange, yellow, brown, and green wonderland. Despite the fires, Highway 80 traveling towards Tahoe is glorious.  It’s a great time to take the family for a ride. If you go to any of the items mentioned further in the article, please, please practice safe distancing, and wear your masks.

Free Things to See Along the Way:

• Farm and Tractor Days.  Originally scheduled for spring, it was changed to October 15-16. It is an open-air festival at the Dry Creek Ranch.  They will be showing vintage tractors, antique engines, farm animals, food, and entertainment.
• Apple Hill is open the month of October and early November for the farmer’s market, complete with fresh apple pies, on the site cider production. The drive through the small productive farms represents 50 local family farms. They specialize in unique fruit and veggies, wineries, flower gardens, Christmas tree farms, candy shops. They have instilled open distancing in the various shops and require masks.  Some of the small farms and wineries are taking reservations for both visits and u-pick activities.  Just driving through this area assaults your senses with the beautiful colorful show of the fall trees.
• Halloween Tent Display Contest and Drive-Thru at Southgate Plaza. This is a drive-thru show for kids of the different Halloween decorated tents.  They can be either scry, whimsical, or just plain funny—a great way to celebrate Halloween with your kids from the safety of your car.
• September 25-31 is the Fitness Series in Fremont Park. Sample of the current presentations
  • October 14, Meditation with Devon from 5:30 – 6:00 pm
  • October 15 – Tai Chi with Embody Tai Chi at  5:30- 6:30 pm
  • October 16- Soul Flow Yoga with her Elevated from 6 pm to 7 pm

Call 916.442-1500 for more information on the Fitness series.

• The Palomarin Trail: This is an iconic trail (5 miles) near Bolinas, California, on the Point Reyes National Seashore.  It is about five miles to Wildcat Beach. During the hike, you will pass five different lakes and enjoy the Marin County Landscapes. Directions from Sacramento:
  • Take I-80 W to CA-37 W. Exit left on Atherton Avenue. Turn right on Novato Boulevard, and continue until Point-Reyes Petaluma Road. Take a left, then turn right onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Turn left on CA-1 S, then take rights onto Olema Boulevard then Mesa Road. You’ll see the trailhead parking lot on your right.
• The Rockbound Pass is 5.5 miles long near the Tahoe region. There are plenty of summer flowers left, lined in some parts with granite slabs and different rock formations. You will pass the Wrights’ lake and also Doris Lake.  It is a little rougher than some others, but if you are into scrambling and tremendous scenery, then this one is for you.
  • From Sacramento: Take US-50 E and exit Wright’s Lake Road just after Kyburz. Continue on Wright’s Lake Road for 8 miles until the Rockbound Pass Trailhead.

MORE FUN HIKES NEAR SACRAMENTO