The Abridged version:
- Sacramento is within easy reach of mountain lakes, a historic delta and one of the most-rafted rivers in the United States.
- Whether you want to paddle a glassy lake at sunset, white-knuckle through Class II rapids or simply post up for a fish taco with a great view, there’s a water experience in this region for every agenda.
- Most options are within 45 minutes of Downtown Sacramento, several are under $15 to get started and a few are unlike anything else you’ll find in Northern California.
Here’s a hot take: You can absolutely enjoy the water this summer without owning a boat.
With the Sacramento and American rivers framing the area, Folsom Lake as the anchor and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta stretching out southwest, you’ve got plenty of water to explore. Rent a raft or paddleboard, hop aboard a small cruise with booze, book that open-water fishing trip or grab a table and taco with an Instagram-worthy view.
Below, find a guide for getting on the water, grouped by your Saturday personality. Want adrenaline? Need something the kids will talk about all week? Aiming for a craft cocktail at the lake? Find your category, then get yourself outside!
If relaxing isn’t really your thing:
Whitewater Rafting, South Fork American River
Running 21 miles through the Sierra Nevada foothills and Gold Rush country, the South Fork of the American River draws more than 100,000 rafters each year. The reason is simple: it’s built for rafting. You get Class II and Class III rapids, with flows controlled by dams.
Most people go for the Lower Gorge, where the rapids come with names like Fowler’s Rock, Satan’s Cesspool and Hospital Bar. They sound scarier than they are, but you’ll still end up soaked and smiling.
Most outfitters operate out of Coloma, about 45 minutes from Sacramento. Try Tributary Whitewater Tours or American Whitewater Expeditions. After your float, head to Troublemakers Beer Garden in Lotus: a local craft beer garden named after the Troublemaker rapid itself, with live music every night they’re open and flatbreads that justify the detour.
Half-day guided trips range from $100–$130/person; full-day $129–$160/person.
Clark’s Hole, Auburn State Recreation Area
Back in the early 1900s, Auburn thought of Clark’s Hole as its municipal swim spot, complete with concessions and lifeguards. Today it’s once again a river canyon swimming hole, and you have to work a little bit harder for the reward.
The hike in runs about a mile along the Clementine Trail from Old Foresthill Road under the Foresthill Bridge, which happens to be the tallest bridge in California. At the bottom of the trail you’ll find a large natural pool with a small sandy beach, clear water and canyon walls surrounding you. Bring bug spray and sunscreen, and keep an eye out for poison oak along the edges of the trail. Weekdays are noticeably quieter if crowded trails aren’t your thing.
Take Highway 49 south from Auburn to the bottom of the canyon, and find parking on Old Foresthill Road. $10 parking fee (or California Annual Poppy Pass). No lifeguards on site.
Guided fishing charter, Sacramento and Feather rivers
A fishing charter is an adventure that often gets overlooked, so let’s change that. Imagine sitting in a drift boat just before the sun comes up, the river quiet around you, and you’re joined by an expert guide who knows every bend and current of the river by heart. They’re on the water all the time, because that’s the job: knowing where the bite is and how to get it.
Summer means striped bass and king salmon, which regularly weigh in at 20–30 pounds on the Sacramento River. You’ll experience all the fun without the fuss — gear and bait are provided, and when the trip is over, your guide will clean and fillet your catch. Multiple outfitters serve the valley, including Championship Sportfishing and Kirk Portocarrero, the original Sac River Guide.
Approximately $250–$300/person for a full-day guided trip. California fishing license required, sold separately.
If your kids are part fish:
Granite Bay Main Beach at Folsom Lake
Most beaches on Folsom Lake are beautiful but completely unsupervised. Granite Bay Main Beach is the welcome exception. It’s one of the only spots on the lake with lifeguards on duty and a buoyed swim area that keeps boat traffic out. The gradual sandy entry lets kids wade in slowly, and don’t forget to pack the sand toys.
When hunger inevitably hits, Anchored Eats is right on the beach, serving fresh-grilled burgers, bites and drinks from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. They also rent kayaks, paddleboards and floats — everything you need to make it a true beach day. For a full-day setup, barbecue pits and grassy shaded areas work well for picnics or bigger groups. Get there by 9 a.m. on summer weekends; parking fills fast.
Day-use parking $12/vehicle. Kayak rentals from $15/hour (single) and $20/hour (tandem). Paddleboards $20/hour. Jumbo floats $30/hour. Daily summer hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
White Rock Splash Park, Rancho Cordova
Try explaining to a five-year-old that a 200-gallon dump bucket doesn’t count as a body of water. White Rock is one of the largest splash parks of its kind in Northern California, and for good reason.
Parents, rejoice: It’s fully gated, staffed and priced so affordably it will almost definitely earn a spot on your weekly rotation of kid-pleasing activities. Water slides, jets and cannons galore, your kids will come out the other end smiling and primed for a long afternoon nap. Daily sessions run 90 minutes and capacity is capped, so arrive early and bring some shade to post up on the grassy sidelines.
The park is at 10488 White Rock Road in Rancho Cordova. $1/child per session (cash only). Adults free. First come, first served.
If you’d rather work for the view:
Sacramento State Aquatic Center, Lake Natoma
Lake Natoma is a narrow and beautiful five-mile stretch of water between Folsom and Rancho Cordova, and the 5 mph speed limit keeps motorboats from taking over. What you get instead is one of the calmest paddling spots in the region.
The Sacramento State Aquatic Center has been based on the lake since 1981, renting kayaks and standup paddleboards to the public on a first come, first served basis. The lake itself feels open without being overwhelming, making it a perfect playground for both beginner and expert paddlers. The scenery does its part, too, with Sierra views to the east and a shaded shoreline for a post-sweat picnic. The center also runs guided sunset SUP paddles during summer evenings, which is arguably the best finish to a hot Sacramento day.
Located at 1901 Hazel Ave. in Gold River, off Highway 50. Free parking for patrons. Single kayak $15/hour; tandem $20/hour; stand up paddle board $18/hour. Open daily 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer.
American River Raft Rentals, Rancho Cordova
American River Raft Rentals is your one-stop shop if you want to cruise down the river at your own pace. They’ve been putting people on the Lower American River since 1974, and on any hot Sacramento summer weekend (that is, every Sacramento summer weekend), the river beneath the Sunrise Bridge looks like a floating block party.
The Lower American is a Class I and Class II stretch, which makes it lazy, clear and cold, with sandy beaches and a few rapids for just enough splash. The classic 6-mile Sunrise float takes about four hours. A newer 2-mile Sailor Bar route launched in 2025 for younger families, with a minimum age of 5 for all rafters, and the shuttle is included. They stop renting by 1 p.m., so plan for a morning start to your float.
Located at 11257 South Bridge St. in Rancho Cordova. A four-person raft is approximately $95. Shuttle $10/person.
If you want to sip and stay awhile:
Sacramento River Cruise, Clarksburg
Clarksburg is a quiet river town just 20 minutes south of Downtown Sacramento, surrounded by vineyards most city residents drive past without stopping. Now there’s a new reason to stop: the Sacramento River Cruise, captained by Emil Gagliardi, runs three daily two-hour private cruises.
Board the Roccus, a 24-foot antique boat holding up to six passengers, and prepare yourself for a memorable time on the river. Meander slowly down the river past waterfront farms and vineyards, while sipping on flights of locally sourced wine or craft beer, all from surrounding Clarksburg, Amador and Lodi makers. Midway through your cruise, the engine slows and the thoughtfully-curated charcuterie spread comes out. The river does the rest.
The 5 p.m. departure is the most popular, so book early. Private cruise from $268 (two guests) to $449 (six guests), plus tax.
Sac Brew Boat, Old Sacramento
You’ve probably seen (or heard) the Sac Brew Bike rolling through midtown. Now the fun is on the river. The Sac Brew Boat is a 14-passenger, pedal-powered party boat that departs from the Old Sacramento waterfront for 90 minutes on the Sacramento River. Passengers should bring their own drinks (beer, wine, cider, canned cocktails) and expect to pedal lightly.
The captain handles navigation while you handle the fun and festivity. The boat passes under the Tower Bridge and past the Delta King — two Sacramento icons in their own right. Louder and more social than a traditional cruise, the Sac Brew Boat is the clear winner for birthdays and groups who want a shared experience on the water.
Approximately $55/person for public tours. BYOB up to four drinks per guest. Minimum eight seats required for public tours to depart.
If you’re just here for the tacos:
Swabbies on the River, Sacramento
Swabbies is the kind of place Sacramentans know about and almost never mention, in hopes it stays somewhat under the radar. Sitting on the Sacramento River just off Garden Highway, this local favorite has been around for over two decades. It offers an expansive outdoor yard of picnic tables shaded by trees that have been there longer than most of its regulars.
The fish tacos are the crowd favorite for good reason, with golden beer-battered cod nestled into a Parmesan-crusted shell. Try them once and you’ll find yourself driving across town for them every chance you get. With 19 beers on tap, a kids menu and a riverside stage hosting live tribute bands on weekend afternoons, you can’t go wrong with this classically Sacramento pick for waterfront grub.
Located at 5871 Garden Highway along the Sacramento River. Open daily for lunch and dinner. A cover may apply when bands play if you arrive after the set starts.
Crawdads on the Lake, Folsom
In 2024, the team behind Sacramento River staple Crawdads on the River took over the old Cliff House space in Folsom, and opened a second spot above Lake Natoma. Expect the same casual vibe, but with a considerably better view: a large outdoor deck hanging over the water, with the Folsom hills framing the rocky shoreline.
The menu leans Cajun and comfort (jambalaya, ahi nachos, Nashville chicken) and the margaritas have their own following. Weekend live music pulls a crowd, so try for a weekday dinner if you want the sunset view without the elbow-to-elbow scramble.
Located at 9900 Greenback Lane, Folsom. Entrees are generally $15–$30. The free Historic Folsom shuttle runs from 5:30–10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Sacramento may be known as the City of Trees, but a strong case exists for City of Water Adventure, too. With rivers, lakes, a lazy delta and summer heat that makes swimming feel less like a luxury and more like survival, it’s all right here.
Pick your personality, nail down a day and go find your spot. A great day on the water is closer than you think.
Julia Perinovic is a freelance writer based in Fair Oaks.