Leave Sacramento

Leave Sacramento is for local Sacramentans who believe that the only thing to do in Sacramento is leave.

Don’t get us wrong, it’s a great place to live. The weather isn’t extreme, although many Sacramentans gripe when it rains and complain when the weather is over 95 degrees. There are a variety of local hot spots in different areas of Sacramento, but unless you live in midtown, nightlife is limited to being a D.D. or taking a costly cab ride home.

Sacramento is a great place to raise a family too. There are some excellent school districts, beautiful neighborhoods, and scenic parts. However, when it comes to mini-vacays, it only takes a few hours to get to some of the hottest spots in California.

A couple hours from Sacramento, Lake Tahoe has year-round activities to offer. In the winter, Lake Tahoe has a number of mountains and ski resorts including Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose, Northstar, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Squaw Valley, and the very affordable, family-owned Donner Ski Ranch.

In the summertime, there are a variety of campsites that surround the lake where you can jump in and enjoy the cold, crisp water. At night, you can enjoy the outside air and the glittering stars of the night sky while your campfire glows with warmth.

PISMO BEACH

It's amazing that a short drive from Sacramento can land you in some of the most beautiful beaches California has to offer. Seacrest Ocean Front Hotel in Pismo Beach offers you the luxury of walking out onto your balcony with a breathtaking view of the ocean. Each morning and every night you can wake up and fall asleep to the sound of the waves rolling in and out.

MENDOCINO

Mendocino Hotel in Mendocino, CA is also a quaint little, old-town beach community. It’s a little bit further of a drive but totally worth it if you plan on staying for more than three days. The driving route to Mendocino has stunning scenery, but beware of extremely windy roads. Those who are prone to motion sickness should plan on popping pills to dull the nausea or even sleep right through the windiness. Those who can handle it will thoroughly enjoy driving through Napa and seeing the rows of grape vines and wineries and also the forest going into Mendocino. Whether you want to hike the Jackson State Forest Trails, shop, or just relax, Mendocino is the place to do it.

MONTEREY BAY

Monterey Bay is a fantastic place to go with the family. Monterey Bay Aquarium is it’s main attraction, but the beach is what is also alluring. Here you can stay at a variety of hotels, take a bike ride to the beach, have a picnic, fly a kite, blow bubbles, and build sand castles.

NAPA

There are so many varieties of wineries to visit in Napa. Napa can be as romantic or as down-to-earth as you want it to be. One of our favorites at Leave Sacramento is the Silver Oak Cellars. There are always release date celebrations where you can enjoy the newest wine, listen to live music, and partake of the samplings that local restaurants have to offer.

RENO

The biggest little city of Reno boasts of lights and glitters with the high hopes of winning at the slot machines and card tables. Crowds from everywhere flock to Reno for concerts such as Tool, as well as pub crawls like the Zombie Pub Crawl in October. This is a place where you can let loose and have fun!

SAN FRANCISCO has lots of fun things to do. Whether you want to go as a couple or as a family, this city never sleeps. The family can take a trip to the California Academy of Science or discover new and exciting stuff at the Exploratorium. In the evening, you and your honey (and the kids) can take a trip to North Beach Restaurant to enjoy fine dining with the most wonderful and mouth-watering pasta! Also, a quaint little restaurant in Nob Hill, OLEA, offers exquisite cuisine.