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Families love Sacramento. Affordable hotels and restaurants give a top-quality experience while the outdoor recreation opportunities let everyone put down the phones, iPads and other devices to enjoy spending time together and making new memories.

Old Sacramento is straight out of a child's imagining of the Old West, and the fun they'll have roaming the wooden sidewalks, peeking into toy and candy shops and touring the hidden Gold Rush-era underground city is so immersive that they'll forget they're actually learning.

A trip to the Capitol is both fun and free, and the surrounding park is gorgeous, with many secluded spots for a picnic.

Relaxing in Discovery Park for a barbecue or a beach day at the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers is a fun childhood memory for most Sacramentans, and you give the same memories to your kids on a visit.

Another spot for kids to make memories and explore is William Land Park, which houses the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town, where children can take a hands-on approach to their favorite stories.

American Whitewater Expeditions

• 6019 New River Road
• Coloma, CA 95613
• (530) 642-0804
• Toll-free: (800) 825-3205

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Rafting fun and thrills on 3 Forks of the American River since 1980. 1/2 day, 1 day or 2 day trips. Lowest prices guaranteed! One hour from Sacramento. Group rates and Family specials. Our goal has always been to provide quality rafting adventures that are exciting, relaxing, and most importantly, lots of fun! When you raft with American Whitewater you know you are getting a top quality trip. Our guides are professional and friendly, our rafting equipment is always state of the art, our campsite is comfortable with clean restrooms and hot showers, and our menu is simply gourmet! With three different rivers and three levels of adventure to choose from, we can give anyone from ages 6 to 106 an unforgettable time rafting on the American River.

Effie Yeaw Nature Center

• 2850 San Lorenzo Way
• Carmichael, CA 95608
• (916) 489-4918

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Ancil Hoffman Park. FREE Family programs year-round on weekends (Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.). Community room available for group rentals. Interactive exhibits, live animals, trails through a 77-acre nature area and weekend programs give visitors an up-close look at the American River Parkway's wildlife. Open Nov. - Feb. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Wed. - Thurs., 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fri. - Sun.; March - Oct. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Wed. - Thurs.; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fri. - Sun. (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Day.) \$5 parking fee. W.A.

More than 230 days of sunshine and the most technologically advanced arena in the nation make Sacramento an excellent sports and recreation destination, whether you want to watch the professionals play or take advantage of the city's ample outdoor amenities.

Professional sports provide family-friendly excitement year-round, and with the city bordering both the American and Sacramento rivers, cycling, running, rafting, fishing and golfing all rank in the top outdoor activities for locals and visitors alike.

One of the best ways to see the beauty of the Sacramento region is by bike. More than 32 miles of paved bike trail along the scenic American River Parkway in Sacramento highlight the city's cycling amenities. Hop on the trail at many different points and ride along the American river, or rent a bike in Old Sacramento and take it for an urban spin - Sacramento has added multiple bike lanes in the past few years, including green-painted bicycling zones on Capitol Mall.

When you visit Sacramento, renting a bike is easy. Many hotels actually have bicycles for guests to reserve when they visit. Check with your hotel to see if they offer this service. If they do not, no need to worry. Bike rentals are easily arranged in Sacramento. Here are some of our partners who offer bike rentals in Sacramento.

Visit. Fish. Brag.

Sacramento sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers, and with the expansive Delta region, it makes a great fishing destination. In fact, Chris Zaldain caught the largest bass the Bassmaster Elites Series has seen earlier this year when the series held its tournament in Sacramento.

That fish was 12 pounds, and there are plenty more in the waterways around Sacramento, despite the drought in California. Don't miss your chance to brag.