Inexpensive Family Day Trips from Sacramento

Getting out of town is a popular pastime in the beautiful spring and the hot summer months in the Sacramento region. Sadly, with gas prices running higher than $4 per gallon, getting out of town is costing more this year than it ever has in the past. The only way around this is to make the most of your day trip buck by finding fun and low cost destinations that the whole family can enjoy. Here are a few of our favorite inexpensive family day trip destinations from Sacramento, California.

Stinson Beach

Just over two hours from Sacramento, in the backwoods of Marin County, off of legendary Highway 1 in the Mount Tamalpais State Park is the beautiful beach and village of Stinson Beach, California. This is a great summertime destination, on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, and this inexpensive day trip is a great way to beat the Sacramento heat.

Some points of interest not to be missed when in Stinson Beach:

· Point Reyes Lighthouse, Point Reyes National Seashore - Stunning ocean views and a quaint coastal lighthouse make this a destination unto itself

· Bolinas Lagoon Preserve - The Egrets and Herons nest here in the springtime, making it a breathtaking visit

· Mount Tamalpais State Park - This hundred year old state park is a beautiful nature area and wildlife habitat

· Muir Woods - 500 year old trees covering 560 acres. View them on marked hiking trails with descriptions of the trees and their life cycles make this both a beautiful and educational destination

· Marin Headlands - Featuring dramatic overlooks of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, this is a photographer's dream

Lake Tahoe

The higher elevations of Lake Tahoe and the huge, landlocked body of water offer relief from Sacramento's triple digit summers. The Nevada side of the lake is well known for casinos and gambling destinations, but there are plenty of family friendly activities on both sides of the border as well.

Lake Tahoe is only about two hours from Sacramento, making it an inexpensive day trip, and here are some of the family friendly activities that you will find there:

· Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park - On the west side of the lake, just north of Meeks Bay, the Sugar Pine Point State Park is a stunning location to get away from it all. The Hellman-Ehrman Mansion is a beautiful tour, and annual living history events make this destination all the more fun for the family.

· Squaw Creek - In the wintertime, Squaw Valley is an internationally known destination for serious skiers, but in the summer time it is home to the Resort at Squaw Creek. This offers all sorts of entertainments for the family, including boating, biking and hiking on hundreds of miles of beautifully developed trails. Bring the fishing rods along and make some time fly fishing on the beautiful Squaw Creek.

· Sand Harbor at Incline Village This is another hidden gem that goes unnoticed during the long Tahoe ski season, but in the spring and summer it becomes a fresh face on an old favorite. Rocky coves and a stunning beach make this a true hidden wonder at Lake Tahoe.

Grass Valley/Nevada City

These neighboring gold country towns are filled with history and quaint appeal for kids and adults alike, making this an educational as well as an inexpensive day trip from Sacramento. Family friendly restaurants and shopping opportunities abound, and museums and attractions fill out the opportunity for an adventure filled day. In addition to all the regular appeal, both of these little towns host events all year long, ranging from the Victorian Christmas and Cornish Christmas events in winter to bicycle races and arts and music events in the spring and summer months. These are both inexpensive and family friendly destinations that are truly not to be missed.

Here is a sampling of the activities to be engaged in, in the Grass Valley/Nevada City region:

· Empire Mine State Historic Park - The Empire Mine is a huge remnant of the bitter end of the gold rush era. Tours of the mine and the mine house are available for modest fees, or, even without an organized tour, the grounds of the park can make for a beautiful visit.

· Eat a Pasty - Or a tiddy oggy, as the Cornish might have it. These little meat pies were fundamental to the diets of the early Cornish settlers of Grass Valley, and they are still a staple of the local food scene. Offered at great prices, these treats will appeal to the whole family.

· Shopping on Broad Street - Nevada City's Broad Street is a quaint shopping area offering crafts and specialty shops for all ages. There are vendors here to appeal to every budget ranging from t-shirts and trinkets to antiquarian books and fine leather goods.