Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gold Rush Days
CULTURE
Horse races, period costumes, music and kids' events make Old Sacramento particularly
festive on Labor Day weekend (early September).
DON'T MISS
THE GREAT MIGRATION
The Sacramento Valley serves as a rest stop for countless migrating species that arrive in
such great numbers, they are a spectacle even without binoculars.
October to February
Four million waterbirds winter in the warm tules (marshes) on
their way along the Great Pacific Flyway. Tours at
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
.
October to January
Endangered chinook and steelhead fight their way upstream to
916-358-2884;
www.dfg.ca.gov
; 2001 Nimbus Rd, Gold River;
8am-3pm Mon-Fri, from 9am
Sat-Sun).
March to June
Cabbage white, painted lady, and Western tiger swallowtail butterflies
come to party. Their offspring will gorge and then grow wings to fly north.
Sacramento
National Wildlife Refuge
has details.
June to August
Hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats shelter under the
Yolo Causeway. Tours (
www.yolobasin.org
) catch them alighting at twilight.
Sleeping
The capital is a magnet for business travelers, so Sacramento doesn't lack in hotels. Many
have good deals during legislative recesses. Unless you're in town for something at Cal
Expo, stay Downtown or Midtown, where there's plenty to do within walking distance. If
you're into kitschy motor lodges from the 1950s, cross the river into West Sac for the last-
standing members of
Motel Row
on Rte 40.
HI Sacramento Hostel
HOSTEL
shared/private bath from $58/99;
check-in 2-10pm;
)
