Road Trip With Kids, Traveling through Sacramento

The San Francisco Bay Area is a wonderful place to raise children. No, not because they are living amongst some of the most innovative high tech experts in the world (we’ll save that for another post), but because we have access to some of the most beautiful travel destinations in the United States, and some might even say the world!

Within an hour or two, you can drive from a state beach, to wine country, and to a redwood state park. You can go from the city to a lake, or to a national forest. There’s so much to see and do! No matter what route you take, one of these days you’ll be doing a road trip with kids, traveling through Sacramento region.

So here are our recommendations on places to stop along the way, mostly off of the Interstate 80 or US Route 50. Your kids will thank you. Well, maybe. 🙂

Visit the Jelly Belly Factory

One Jelly Belly Lane
Fairfield, CA
Jelly Belly Factory Website

Admission Cost: Free!

Take a self-guided tour of the famous Jelly Belly factory. The best time to visit is in the early morning, and also on a weekday, non-holiday, when the factory workers are there and the machinery is on. Either way, weekday, or not, you’ll get to learn how jelly beans are made, and even enjoy some free samples! A fun little stop for the kids, and a great opportunity to teach them about machinery and how this fun candy is made.

Visit Fairytale Town Sacramento

3901 Land Park Drive
Sacramento, CA
Fairytale Town Website

Admission Cost: $6/Person on Weekends, $5/Person on Weekdays

Fairytale Town offers children and families a safe place to imagine, play and learn. The park includes play structures based on nursery rhymes and fairytales, a friendly flock of farm animals, two performing arts stages and several gardens. This is a perfect place to stop on a road trip with kids. Give them a break from the long car ride and let their imagination run wild and free.

Note to Parents: We tend to make this an early morning stop, preferable right when it opens. It’s nice and quiet, the animals are out, and leaves time for a late breakfast/early lunch before hitting the road again. Be sure to check for hours of operation.

Feed The Fish at Nimbus Fish Hatchery

2001 Nimbus Road
Gold River, CA
Nimbus Hatchery Website

Admission Cost: Free!

Located in eastern Sacramento County, Nimbus Fish Hatchery raises Chinook salmon and steelhead for release to the American River. The Nimbus Hatchery Visitor Center offers fun and educational activities for children and adults of all ages, including the opportunity to feed the fish. Enjoy the on-site nature trail along the American River to view wildlife, as well as the American River Parkway trail directly adjacent to the Nimbus Hatchery.

Note to Parents: Be sure to check for hours of operation, which typically ends around 3pm each day.

What do you think of these recommendations? Have you been to any of these places? What was your experience like? Share your fun stories with us! We’d love to hear from you.