The paved bike path along the American River, officially known as the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, runs 32 miles between Discover Park in Sacramento and Folsom Lake. It’s a lovely and easy ride through shady parks and past Lake Natoma, where you might spot friendly local wildlife like deer or wild turkey.

The 16 square blocks surrounding the historic state capitol building comprise the California State Capitol Museum. You can take guided tours of the capitol building, legislative chambers, and offices or visit the many gardens and monuments across the museum grounds. One of the Capitol’s interesting features is its extensive painting and sculpture collection, which is on display in the building. In addition to paintings and murals celebrating California’s history and landscape, each State Senator chooses a painting by a contemporary artist to hang in his or her office, also available for public viewing.

The scenic Cesar Chavez Park, named after the famed human rights and labor movement leader, is a lovely space in the middle of downtown Sacramento. With its prime location adjoining City hall and the Public Library, it’s a great location for a view of the city skyline. On summer Fridays, it hosts a popular outdoor concert series.

Sacramento’s history has been kept alive in the Old Sacramento district, with its wooden boardwalks and horse-drawn stagecoaches to remind visitors of its past as a pioneer town. It also features museums and modern restaurants and shopping, so there’s plenty to do as you soak up the atmosphere. The Sacramento History Museum helps put everything you see here in context as it traces the region’s history from before the Gold Rush to the present. Railfans will also be interested in the California State Railroad Museum, which maintains a old but well-maintained trains and equipment, explaining how rail contributed to California’s development. You can even take a 40-minute-long steam train ride from the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot just south of the Railroad Museum.