Sacramento, California – A summer getaway does not always require a packed suitcase, a long drive or a costly hotel room. In Sacramento County, the next outdoor escape may be waiting just a few miles from home.
July is Parks and Recreation Month, and Sacramento County Regional Parks is using the occasion to invite residents to plan a local staycation built around rivers, trails, picnic areas and open space.
The county’s park system offers a wide range of ways to spend a summer day. Visitors can ride bicycles along the American River Parkway, launch a kayak or paddleboard into local waterways, find a fishing spot, walk a shaded trail or settle beneath a tree with family and friends. Wildlife viewing and other outdoor activities add even more options for people who want to explore without leaving the region.
To make those visits easier and more affordable, Sacramento County Regional Parks has introduced a new Staycation Parks Pass priced at $25. The pass is available now and remains valid through Sept. 30, giving residents a simple way to return to county parks throughout the summer.
The timing is designed to turn Parks and Recreation Month into more than a one day celebration. Instead, the pass encourages people to discover several locations, revisit favorite trails and build more outdoor time into the weeks ahead.
Residents who buy the Staycation Parks Pass in person may also receive complimentary promotional items while supplies last. The available giveaways may include a cooling towel, drawstring backpack, beach ball, flying disc, reusable cup and other items connected to the county’s Life Looks Good on You river safety campaign.
The pass can be purchased at the Sacramento County Regional Parks administrative office at 10361 Rockingham Drive, Suite 100, Sacramento, California 95827. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday hours are noon to 4 p.m.
For residents who prefer to purchase from home, the Staycation Parks Pass is also available through the County’s online purchasing portal.
The campaign arrives during the heart of the summer recreation season, when Sacramento County’s waterways, trails and green spaces can offer a practical break from daily routines. For families, the parks provide places to share a picnic, play outdoors and spend time together. For walkers, cyclists and paddlers, they offer room to stay active. For others, a quiet bench, shaded path or view of the river may be enough.
Regional Parks is also highlighting the broader role that public outdoor spaces play in community life. Research has repeatedly linked access to parks with increased physical activity, lower stress and stronger opportunities for social connection. Parks can also support nearby businesses, improve air quality and give residents direct access to the region’s natural landscape.
Those benefits make the idea of a Sacramento County staycation especially timely. It offers an affordable alternative for residents who want a change of scenery without the planning and expense of a longer trip.
The invitation from Regional Parks is simple: try somewhere new, return to a place you already love or spend an unhurried afternoon outside. A bike ride, a morning on the water or a family picnic can become its own summer destination.
With the $25 pass available through Sept. 30, residents have the rest of the season to explore, experience and enjoy more of Sacramento County’s outdoor spaces, one local adventure at a time.