The Perfect Pit Stop: How to Add Rancho Cordova to Your San Francisco-to-Tahoe Road Trip

Rancho Cordova is road trip ready. Located smack dab in between San Fran and South Lake Tahoe (90 minutes in either direction), it's got warm and welcoming small town vibes.

Start your morning by taking Highway 80 until it turns into Highway 50, the easiest connecting route between the two destinations. If you're a history or poli-sci buff, pull over for a tour of the capital building in downtown Sacramento. Grab a selfie on the front steps, then get back on Highway 50 and drive just 15 more minutes until you reach Rancho Cordova.

Take a right off Zinfandel or Sunrise to find a wealth of fun activities and economical hotels. If you're hungry for lunch, head to Brookfield's for an American diner menu that has something for every tastebud in your travel group. This local favorite is a must!

With 17 hotels in town ranging from economical to 4-diamond, there are options to meet every traveler's needs. Easy self-parking, renovated rooms, spacious family suites, and amenities like pools and hot breakfast will give you a safe and satisfying landing so you don't have to make your whole trip in one day.

As a truly savvy traveler, you already know the joy of taking it slow. Before you left San Francisco, you decided to spread out your road trip fun and stay the night with us, reserving a Rancho Cordova hotel room in advance. We're excited that you're here and promise we won't even snore!

If you snagged an early check-in time, unload your bags and head out for some fun around town.

Kickstart your outdoorsy weekend the right way! Rancho Cordova boasts access to Hagan Community Park and Lake Natoma, two lush nature escapes perfect for spending an afternoon. Take the kids, dog, or yourself on a walk on Hagan Park's nearly 80 acres of shaded grounds to stretch your legs. You can also swim laps or enjoy a shallow children's pool for a small cash fee at Cordova Community Pool, also located at the park. Don't forget to check pool hours before you go.

If you were planning to paddle in Tahoe but the rental prices made you do a double-take, enjoy watersports in Rancho Cordova before heading up the mountain. You'll find affordable hourly rentals for kayaks, SUPs, sailboats, and more at Sac State Aquatic Center, plus you'll enjoy the luxury of a smaller lake crowd and much easier parking. Rentals are beginner friendly, fun for all ages, and include any equipment and floatation devices you'll need.

If you're looking for ways to cool off, Rancho Cordova offers plenty of fun indoor activities to help you beat the heat.

Want to keep it a little more active? Try rock climbing at Granite Arch Climbing Center or glow-in-the-dark mini golf and arcade games at Sac Town Family Fun. To take it slow, browse a free art exhibit at Mills Station Arts & Culture Center (The MACC), where you might also catch a $5 quartet concert playing upstairs. Another highly-recommended idea is to take a trip to KP International Supermarket where you can find incredible snacks from all over the globe. Pick up a few goodies for your Tahoe beach picnic and thank us later.

Rancho Cordova is home to 80,000 residents who speak more than 90 languages, and you can definitely see it reflected in our cuisine! You can find Rancho Cordova restaurants serving up everything from Greek, Thai, Indian, Mexican, and Japanese to Vietnamese, Korean BBQ, Italian, vegan specialty, and American classics. And there's still more in every direction you look. What sounds good for dinner?

Swanky Italian dishes? We've got that. Down-home brisket and collard greens? We have that, too. Ramen, carne asada, burgers, falafel plates, bao buns, Korean shaved ice with sweet red beans... Rancho Cordova has it all and dim sum.

How about a night cap? If you enjoy discovering local libations when you travel, the Rancho Cordova Barrel District is home to a cozy cluster of craft breweries, a distillery, a craft winery, and a meadery that are racking up the awards. Whether you love your IPAs hazy or your ales pale, we'll find you the perfect beverage to wind down with.

This no‑pressure, laid‑back tasting circuit is a fun detour for solo travelers, families, couples, or small groups—especially after a long day of fun. Each location is kid and dog friendly, and some offer fun activities like cornhole for the whole family. Most Barrel District locations provide food truck access and a few offer small plates.

Looking for recommendations? Burning Barrel has the most extensive beer menu, Dao Distillery is the first distillery in California (and second in the nation) to offer tastings of rare Vietnamese rice liquor, and LogOff Brewing is a quaint little spot for enjoying a beer over borrowed boardgames. Just make sure to stay hydrated to avoid any snags in tomorrow's road trip wake-up call.

Good morning, Tahoe traveler! The fun isn't over just yet. After you check out of your Rancho Cordova hotel room, you might want to explore other regional sites in Gold Country. Rancho Cordova is pretty central to many NorCal hotspots, after all.

For a fascinating history lesson, stop at the Big House Prison Museum in Folsom. Yes, that Folsom Prison made famous by Johnny Cash! Continue up Highway 50 to explore tasty bakeries and seasonal orchards in Apple Hill or head to wine country in the El Dorado foothills to grab a few bottles of delicious vino for the rest of your trip. Then enjoy your time in Tahoe!

Visitor statistics show that once a traveler stops in Rancho Cordova, they make plans to return a second time at some point in the future. Why wait when you can stop here again on your way back down the mountain? Another rest in a comfortable hotel, perhaps? Or at least an easy place to grab some grub and take a clean bathroom break? We'll take it.

Thank you for being our guest! We've loved having you!