36 Hours in Rancho Cordova

Rancho Cordova is the ideal basecamp for exploration of northern California’s history, culture, and recreation.

Northern California’s Gold Country region is home to mazes of sparkling waterways and the sweeping landscapes of the Sierra foothills, boasting more affordable accommodations without sacrificing any of the rich beauty that has come to be known as California's best selling point.

Travelers love to use Rancho Cordova as a hub and spoke destination to explore other Northern California delights, like the State Capitol, Lake Tahoe, and the Sierra Foothills Wine Country. That's precisely what makes Rancho Cordova a great place for families, groups, and budget travelers. We’re one of NorCal's best-kept secrets!

Planning Your Gold Country Stay

With easy access off Highway 50, Rancho Cordova is the perfect midway stop between San Francisco and South Lake Tahoe. We’re 25 miles from Sacramento (SMF), 90 minutes from Oakland (OAK), and 90 minutes from San Francisco (SFO) International Airports. We boast 16 hotels with over 2,000 guestrooms, plentiful parking, and inclusive amenities like breakfast!

Rancho Cordova is home to quirky attractions for all ages, and truly unique, jaw-dropping events that will leave you wanting more. We're a hidden gem that offbeat adventurers, families, and budget travelers love to explore.

Keep reading to find a 3-day itinerary for exploring Rancho Cordova and the Gold Country region!

Day 1 – Rancho Cordova Retreat

Start your morning in Rancho Cordova proper. Head to Lake Natoma and the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, which offers miles of flatwater famous for rowing, but is also ideal for stand up kayaking, paddleboarding (SUP), sailing, and canoeing. Savor the cool refreshing waters and take in the wildlife surrounding this hidden gem onboard one of the Aquatic Center’s many rentals.

If you want to raise your heart rate, you can also find river rafting or scenic cycling opportunities nearby. Take a guided rafting tour in the swirling rapids or enjoy a bike ride along the 32-mile, paved American River Parkway - Jedidiah Smith Memorial Trail.

After you've worked up a sweat, head to fan favorite KP International Market, a global grocery store, food court, and bakery which features cuisine from around the world. You'll find over 80,000 square feet of foodie delights from Korea, Mexico, Russia, Japan, Italy, Poland, Germany, and many more countries!

Spend the early afternoon looking for vintage treasures at Bliss Marketplace or walking through the historic 113 year old Mills Station Arts & Culture Center (MACC) to check out current art exhibits, theatrical plays, musical concert performances, or fantastic community events!

Close out your day by exploring the fast-growing Rancho Cordova Barrel District to enjoy award winning beer, mead, wine, craft cocktails, hard kombucha, and even more delicious local bites. Everyone can find sips to savor at 5 craft breweries, a hard kombucha taproom, a meadery, a distillery, and a brand new wine tasting room.

Explore the Rancho Cordova Barrel District below:

Day 2 – Capitol Region Exploration

Travel from Rancho Cordova on a smooth public transit ride, like Light Rail, or take a quick Lyft ride to downtown Sacramento. Explore many amazing venues like the famous California State Railroad Museum, one of the largest and most prestigious railroad museums in North America, where train exhibits include beautifully restored engines and railcars, walk-through tours, and immersive experience that transports visitors back to the golden age of rail travel.

Afterwards, head across the street to explore Old Sacramento, and have lunch in one of the many restaurants, including riverfront establishments. Following a delicious meal, hop aboard the Hornblower Cruise for a narrated tour of the Sacramento River.

Once off the gorgeous Sacramento River, head to the newly renovated Crocker Art Museum, one of the oldest continuously operating art museums in the western United States, founded in 1885, to discover a diverse collection of artwork spanning centuries, continents, and cultures.

Day 3 – California Gold Country & Wine Country

Travel farther down Highway 50 into Historic Downtown Folsom and then head along Highway 49 to historic Placerville to explore and shop along the streets lined with art galleries, antique shops and restaurants. Afterwards, satisfy your interest in the historic at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, where fortunes were made during the California’s Gold Rush.

James W. Marshall discovered gold in 1848 on the South Fork of the American River in the valley the Nisenan Indians knew as Cullumah. This event led to the greatest mass movement of people in the Western Hemisphere and was the spark that ignited the spectacular growth of the West during the ensuing decades. The gold discovery site, located in the still visible tailrace of Sutter's sawmill, in present day Coloma, California, is one of the most significant historic sites in the nation. During the walking tour, see a replica of the original sawmill and over 20 historic buildings!

On your way back to Rancho Cordova, continue through the nearby Sierra foothills, where world-class wine tasting and bites are offered in Amador County including beautiful Boeger Winery, Cielo Estate Winery, and Starfield Vineyard & Winery, just to name a few.