Perk up at a park

Brodie playing in the park Sacramento enjoys a mild fall and winter climate perfect for outings with your pup. If you’re a visitor and weather permits, start your explorations at the navel of California political activity, the state capitol. No, you can’t go inside—but the two of you can explore Capitol Park, a 40-acre urban preserve surrounding the imposing domed structure. Hundreds of labeled plants from around the world make this park a garden enthusiast’s delight, while somber memorials recall sacrifices made in war. Read more.

Explore the countryside

Photo by Jetsetting Fashionista.

The words “wine” and “Sacramento” may not seem to go together—until you realize more than 200 wineries and tasting rooms are situated within 75 miles of the state capital. Read more.

Lick your chops

Callie and Cream in Sacramento. Photo: Jo & Joey (CC) Each month, it seems, more and more Sacramento restaurants are breaking the dog barrier by welcoming human-canine parties at their patio and sidewalk tables. There’s no better time to sample their cuisine than during Farm-to-Fork Restaurant Week, Sept. 21-29, when eateries throughout the region will be showcasing farm-inspired, fixed-price menus; wine and beer pairings; and other culinary promotions geared to show off local produce. Read more.

Moveable feast

Maggie on the RiverTrain This just in: The Sacramento RiverTrain is now dog-friendly! That’s right, your pooch can ride along with you in open-air cars on three-hour, themed daytime trips that feature wine or beer tastings; picnics, “great train robberies” and, on the horizon, zombie trains and pumpkin-patch visits. While fares for human passengers vary according to trip, dog tickets are priced at a bare-bones $10. Read more.

City of Sacramento animal care services 2013

In the old days, the City of Sacramento's animal shelter was a notoriously dark, even abusive institution. When we checked in with them a couple of years ago, new management was arriving on the scene with a determination to do better. Now, says Animal Care Services Manager Gina Knepp, "We have been doing so much out-of-the-box, crazy, innovative stuff at City that I don't know where to begin. We have turned this place around. We used to be pond scum and now we are not! As you can imagine, this makes me intensely happy." Read more.