Long Summer Weekend

Staying in Rancho Cordova for the California capital airshow weekend? We've got just the plan for you!

DAY 1 | FRIDAY (DAYTIME): HIT THE WATER

A must-do before summer is over! Grab your friends and family and float the American River in a raft from American River Raft Rentals. This leisurely float mixes in a little whitewater action in the San Juan Rapids. You can also Stay cool on a stand up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak on Lake Natoma. The Sacramento State Aquatic Center offers a variety of affordable rentals. Adjoining Nimbus Flat Lake Natoma State Park offers lake-side picnic tables, swimming, and access to the American River Parkway Trail. In the evening, hit the pool at one of Rancho Cordova’s many hotels.

DAY 2-3 | SATURDAY & SUNDAY: ATTEND THE AIR SHOW

Every year it just gets bigger and better! There’s so much to see and do for everyone, you’ll need two days to experience it all! From spectacular in-the-air shows, to exciting attractions and displays on the ground, you can get all the details for an experience you will never forget here.

For the adult crowd, download our mobile Barrel District Passport for exclusive discounts and a chance to win prizes! From hard kombucha to mead and craft breweries and distilleries, there is something for everybody. When visiting these locations, click "Redeem." Next, show your screen to the cashier to unlock your discounts.

Day 4 | Monday: Relax and Unwind in California’s Gold Country

Start in Rancho Cordova. Travel to the historic 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 including mining, house, school, and store exhibits.

Then, travel along aptly-named Highway 49 to historic Placerville to explore the historic downtown, lined with art galleries, antique shops and restaurants. After lunch, continue down Highway 49 to the Sierra foothills Shenandoah Valley, where world-class wine tasting is offered in Amador County.