Five Reasons To Visit Sacramento In The Fall

The Daily Meal Staff|Sept. 20, 2014 7:00 am EST

Deciding what you'd most like to see, or do, is a multi-layered experience around here in autumn. How much time do you have and what kind of autumn wonder would you like to see? While Sacramento is known as the City of Trees, the nearby Sierra puts on quite a show too. There are art galleries galore, fall festivals and cityscapes for all. Take your pick.

California State Capitol
1315 10th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 324-0333
www.assembly.ca.gov/statecapitol

The mild days and milder nights make this a perfect time to visit the capitol. Tour the museum and take the time to tour the building too. If you're lucky, you might get in to see your legislator at work. The Governor may pop out too. When you need some outside time, head out to the amazing rose garden, and simply enjoy an autumn stroll on the capitol grounds. It's a must-do trip, at least once in your life, and autumn is the best time to do it.

Sacramento Arts Festival
Sacramento Convention Center
1400 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 808-5291
www.sacartsfest.com

Date: Nov. 7-9, 2014

Curious about fall art festivals? Satisfy your curiosity in downtown Sacramento. The event has been gracing Sacramento for the last 17 years. Feast your eyes on the 225 artists who will fill the Convention Center floor. You have to go into this with a good bit of stamina. It could easily take you all day to just pick your way through all that is shown. There will be paintings in all media, prints, drawings, sculpture, clay, metal work and the list goes on. Treat yourself to a breather outside, and enjoy a meal at one of the many eateries around the center. The color of the trees could rival the colors of all that artwork.

Sacramento City Hall
915 I St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 264-5011
www.cityofsacramento.org

The action isn't at City Hall. It's just a place to get some information about all of the neighborhoods in Sacramento. The reason you want to know is this: the City of Trees puts on a vibrant, multi-colored dress of reds, golds, yellows, purples and oranges in fall. Autumn around here is gentle, and is a mind-boggling mix of color on the trees in all of those neighborhoods. The best way to experience it is to walk. Pick an area, one with some good cafes within reach, and stroll away. The colors, the autumn light and the unique smells of fall will be your reward, and it will be a wonderful reward.

California Capitol Book Festival
Sacramento Convention Center
1400 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 808-5291
www.ccbookfestival.com

Date: Oct. 25-26, 2014

Ah, a cool autumn night and it's time to curl up with a great read. Before you get to the great read part, head to this book fest on October 25 and 26. Walk onto the exhibit floor and your senses will be filled with books. This event is, amazingly, free to attend. Books, authors, booksellers, workshops, children's activities and interviews will keep you very occupied. Get your reading gears tuned up here, sink into your favorite reading spot and read your way through autumn and into winter. Start your journey here at the book festival.

The Pumpkin Farm
7736 Old Auburn Road
Citrus Heights, CA 95610
(916) 726-1137
www.pumpkinfarm.net

Date: Oct. 3-31, 2014

It's autumn, which means it is also pumpkin time. You simply cannot go through fall without a pumpkin, and a few other things. Starting on October 3 and running until October 31, the Pumpkin Farm will live up to its name and provide you with all of your pumpkin needs. The farm has about 100 tons of pumpkins on its 16 acres. Bu it's not just pumpkins. There's a corn maze, hayrides, a farm zoo, a unique train ride and more. Add to your autumn decor with gourds, Indian corn and corn stalks, all from right here on the farm. Do that either before or after your taste buds wrap around a wonderful piece of pumpkin or apple pie. It's fall all the way, right here.

Charles Ferris is a freelance writer who has lived in the Sierra, halfway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, for the last 37 years. In 2010 he retired from teaching after 36 years . He and his wife hike, kayak, cross country ski, snow shoe, ride mountain bikes and road bikes, year round. His work can be found at Examiner.com.