Sacramento Road Trip

Will be spending 4 nights in Sacramento in late Sept. Looking for suggestions for a (perhaps Sunday) day trip to anywhere in the area that would be a good outing. We will have a car.

Always interested in cool or unique bookstores as well.

Thanks in Advance.

Sacramento is a great hub for exploring Northern California, and having a car gives you a lot of flexibility for day trips. Late September is ideal because the weather is usually mild and many local events are still happening.

For a Sunday day trip, you have several appealing options depending on your interests:

• Napa Valley or Sonoma Wine Country: About 1.5–2 hours drive. Even if you’re not a wine connoisseur, the scenery, small towns, and local food options make it worthwhile.
• Lake Tahoe: Around 2.5–3 hours drive. Early fall is quieter than summer, and you can enjoy hiking, lakeside walks, or scenic drives along Highway 50 or 89.
• Apple Hill / Placerville: About an hour away. Perfect for fall-themed outings, local apple farms, pumpkin patches, and homemade pies.
• Old Sacramento & Railtown 1897 State Historic Park: A short drive within the city, but if you haven’t explored it yet, it offers unique historical vibes, museums, and train rides.
• Gold Country towns: Auburn, Nevada City, or Grass Valley are charming historic towns with cafes, small shops, and nice walks.

For unique bookstores around Sacramento and nearby towns:

• Independent bookstore in Sacramento known for a curated selection and cozy vibe.
• Great for finding vintage or hard-to-find books.
• If you head toward Gold Country, this is a classic local bookstore with a great selection and lovely small-town charm.
• Another charming spot for rare finds and second-hand treasures.