The best trip within about five hours of Sacramento for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. After the weekends there are 3 day trips that work any weekend.
6 weekends
1 cityLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Sacramento. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.
Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.
We don't post event listings for these places, so check the official page for hours and what's on. The numbers match the map.
Steam trains and an old roundhouse in Gold Country, open 9:30 to 4:30 daily. The Polar Express train ride runs here November 27 to December 20.
Granite cliffs, waterfalls and flat valley-floor walks that work with a stroller. The park is open around the clock all year, and entry is $35 per car for seven days.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Sacramento that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Sacramento has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Sacramento that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Sacramento has the local list.
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Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in Sacramento this weekend.
Opens 11/13; runs through 12/21. Wednesday to Monday after Thanksgiving, select days before. Tickets went on sale in September, so expect some dates to be gone.
Fri Nov 13 · 3:30, 5, 6:30 and 8pm (no 8pm on Dec 21)Central Pacific Passenger Station, Old Sacramento
Coach $80–$85, First Class $100–$110 per person; under 2 free on a lap
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Sacramento that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Sacramento has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Sacramento that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Sacramento has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Sacramento that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Sacramento has the local list.
Places outside the city that are worth the drive on any weekend. Hours and prices are what the official pages showed when we checked.
A small county zoo off Highway 99 with golden lion tamarins, ruffed lemurs and other animals on short, shady paths. It's an easy size for toddlers, and kids 2 and under get in free.
about 1 hr from Sacramento · Lodi
Wednesday–Sunday 10am–5pm, last entry 4:30pm$5 ages 14+, $3 ages 3–13, free for 2 and underA city park in the foothills where you can walk into a real hard-rock gold mine with a hard hat, then see the stamp mill and blacksmith shop. Bring a jacket because the mine stays cold.
about 1 hr from Sacramento · PlacervilleNov 1–Mar 31 weekends only, 10am–4pm (mine tours close 3:30pm); daily Apr–OctPark and trails free; mine $12 adults, $8 ages 6–17, free for 5 and underThe spot on the American River where James Marshall found gold in 1848, with a replica of Sutter's sawmill and old buildings to wander between. Gold panning lessons run most days, and the riverside picnic areas are shaded by oaks.
about 1 hr from Sacramento · ColomaGrounds 8am–5pm Nov–Feb; museum 9am–4pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas$10 per car; gold panning lessons and guided tours cost extra
Car snacksPack more than you think you’ll need.
StrollerZoo paths and light trails are long for little legs.
Time the napLeave right before nap so the drive does double duty.
Overnight bagPast three hours, pajamas beat a 9pm drive home.
Parking cashFree admission days often still charge for parking.
Rain planPick one indoor backup, like a museum, before you leave.None of our other cities are close enough for a weekend pick yet, so start with a day trip: Micke Grove Zoo in Lodi (about 1 hr), Gold Bug Park & Mine in Placerville (about 1 hr), Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma (about 1 hr).
Stockton–Modesto (about 1 hr), San Francisco Bay Area (about 2 hr 15 min), Reno (about 2 hr 30 min), Fresno (about 3 hr 15 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (about 2 hr 15 min), Yosemite Valley (about 4 hr). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go.
Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.