Travel Itineraries

In Rancho Cordova, adventure always chooses you back. Whether you're taking a mother-daughter trip through NorCal or planning a full-family road trip including Grand-pop, Rancho Cordova is a great and welcoming place for families of all shapes and sizes! From quirky cosplay opportunities to rip-roaring (and kid-safe) adventure, our city offers awesome attractions for all ages.

Our favorite family-friendly activities:

1. Look at Rancho Cordova's annual event calendar to see if any major regional events are happening at the time of your trip. If you can get a ticket to California Mermaid Convention, Hangtown Motocross Classic, or California Capital Airshow, you won't be sorry!
2. If you're feeling creative, head to Mills Station Arts & Culture Center (The MACC) to browse their latest free rotating art exhibit or take an arts and crafts class at Heart Craft Studio. Sacramento Children's Museum is also a wonderful stop for families with small children.
3. Learn about the life cycle of salmon at Nimbus Fish Hatchery or bring your permits and rods to go fishing on one of our many waterways.
4. Grab some clubs for tee-time on the green at Mather Golf Course or Cordova Golf Course. If you're looking for golf with a serious twist, try glow-in-the-dark putt-putt at Sac Town Family Fun! After you play a round without losing any neon golf balls, play skee-ball in the arcade or head right next door for virtual reality video games!
5. Take a drive through parts of the historical Gold Country region. Deeply rooted in Gold Rush history and with ties to the Pony Express, the cities and towns that make up the breathtaking Gold Country are filled with fun pit stops and tourist attractions everyone in the car will love. Cruise through Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, Amador, El Dorado, Folsom, and more!
6. Use Rancho Cordova as a base camp for affordable hotels, then take day trips to explore Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe.

Rancho Cordova is surrounded by sparkling waterways, making summer nothing short of breathtaking! With such close access to Lake Natoma and the American River, this region is spoiled with beauty and temperate weather, making it the perfect place for rafting, paddling, and sailing.

Here are our favorite ways to get on the water in the warmer months:

1. Looking for watersport rentals? Bring the whole family to Sacramento State Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma. Staffed by friendly student athletes, you'll find a huge selection of kayaks, sailboats, standup paddleboards, safety classes, and water-based obstacle courses for your enjoyment!
2. If you've got your own paddling gear or want to plan a river float, you can find launch points in many places along the American River. Please remember to read up on local water conditions and always wear a personal floatation device. For kids under 13, it's the law!
3. Adrenaline seekers will love white water rafting with tours guided by American River Raft Rentals or OARS American River Rafting.
4. Traveling with littles or tweens? Find splash parks around the city or head to Cordova Community Pool and go for a refreshing swim.

⚠️ Water Safety Notice ⚠️

Getting out on the river is fun, but it's important to be prepared! Strong currents, cold water (even in the summer), uneven river bottoms, changing water levels, and possible debris can impact your splash session in and around Rancho Cordova. Buckle up and don't forget to wear a life jacket. Kids under 13 MUST wear a life preserver according to local ordinance SCO 13.08.301 (a).

For more water safety rules, regulations, and recommendations, read the Regional Parks Water Guide for Sacramento County.

If you love tasting your way around the globe, let Rancho Cordova bring the world to you! Known for our diverse selection of cuisines, we've got everything from Thai, Korean BBQ, and Persian delights to Indian, Italian, and Vietnamese hotspots. American Classic rounds out the international vibes. You can always find great burgers and brews in town!

When you're hungry for a foodie adventure, here's what we'd recommend:

1. Choose from over 30 different flavors to curate the perfect mimosa flight at The Mimosa House or order a stack of piping-hot diner pancakes and a side of crispy bacon at Brookfield's Restaurant.
2. Enjoy a refreshing poke bowl from Poke Cube, fries and a milkshake from Famous Burgers & Brew, or tasty vegan bites at Green Grill.
3. Sip your way around Rancho Cordova's Barrel District if you're in the mood for craft brews, cocktails, hard kombucha, wine, mead, or mocktails.
4. Stop at Koreana Plaza International Market to pick up some snacks from around the world or some tasty boba tea and Happy Niyama Market for some fluffy banana pudding.
5. Head to J.J. Pfister's Distilling Co. for a romantic and laid-back American dinner, choose Il Forno Classico for Italian pasta and wine, or Shahrzad's Persian Restaurant for even more delicacies.
6. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a waffle cone at Handel's Homemade Ice Cream or some halo-halo at Artic Fox Shaved Snow & Desert.

Rancho Cordova is nestled between Sacramento and the rolling hills of Amador and El Dorado counties, making it the perfect base camp for a California wine tasting weekend. The most popular wine coming out of this region is the legendary Zinfandels of California’s Gold Country, which consistently gain national and even international attention. The full-bodied Syrahs, creamy Viogniers, smoky Tempranillos, and rich, jammy Barberas are just some of the other acclaimed complex wines this region produces.

If you're planning a weekend wine tasting trip to the area, you can stay in Rancho Cordova and explore our amazing local wine regions nearby. Here's our recommendation for a two-day weekend wine getaway:

1. When you arrive in Rancho Cordova and get settled at your hotel, start with a glass at local wine tasting room, Drink Eezy. This establishment also offers small bites.
2. Next, make your way to Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley, which is less than 30 minutes away and is famous for its Zinfandel, as well as other varietals. Stop at Helwig, a winery in Plymouth, wander down to Taste, a premier dining establishment, and enjoy historic Hotel Sutter in Sutter Creek as another good dining option for a late lunch or early dinner before you head back to Rancho Cordova.
3. On your second day of wine tasting, head to neighboring El Dorado County. Make a stop at Lava Cap, Starfield Vineyards, Scott Harvey Wines, and try the reserve flight at Boeger Winery too! During spring and summer, many visitors will go for a whitewater rafting trip on the nearby South Fork of the American River, the namesake of Lava Cap’s popular American River Red Cabernet Sauvignon Blend. For dinner, stop off in downtown Placerville for a hearty meal at Bricks, a classy but casual local favorite that serves updated American fare.