Kick off your Sacramento weekend with a Saturday morning walk through the colorful gardens and wooded corners of Capitol Park. Spanning 40 acres in the heart of downtown, the park features a rose garden, a cactus garden, and towering trees that provide plenty of shade for you and your dog. For another view of the city, head toward Discovery Park and follow the paved Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail that parallels the American River Parkway. The trail stretches over 30 miles and is one of the longest paved paths in the country — your dog will love the river views and the chance to sniff along the way. Or, play some fetch at Tahoe Park before stopping by Bacon & Butter for brunch on the pup-friendly patio.
On Saturday afternoon, grab the camera and go mural hopping in Midtown Sacramento. The Midtown Association offers a handy guide to many of the most vibrant paintings. It’s a great way to explore the neighborhood at your dog’s pace, stopping to admire the art while they take in the sights and smells of the city. Pause to pair pretzels, fries and sausages with German and Belgian beers, plus a few California-brewed options, at Der BierGarten on K Street. Back downtown, leashed pups can hang out with their people on the patio at Urban Roots.
As sunset approaches, enjoy the golden-hour skies during a walk along the Sacramento Riverfront Promenade. Cross the Tower Bridge to have an early weekend dinner at Tree House Cafe or Drake’s: The Barn and then relax back at your downtown hotel. Comfortable properties like the Kimpton Sawyer, Hyatt Regency Sacramento and Hyatt Centric happily accommodate dogs. The Kimpton is especially popular with pet travelers — there’s no pet fee, no size limit, and they provide beds and bowls at check-in.
On Sunday, see the sights on a River Fox Train ride. Dogs are welcome on select excursions. From there, do some window shopping in Midtown, or check out one of more than a dozen fenced dog parks found across Sacramento. Truitt Bark Park and Sutter’s Landing Dog Park are two off-leash options not far from downtown. Sutter’s Landing sits right along the American River, so your dog can splash around and burn off some energy before the drive home.
Sacramento’s warm climate and tree-lined streets make it a natural fit for dog travelers. The city’s farm-to-fork food culture extends to its patios, where water bowls and dog treats are common offerings. Pack a collapsible water bowl, a good leash, and your sense of adventure — Sacramento delivers a full weekend of dog-friendly fun.
