We have come here a handful of times now for fishing. Not only do we always have a blast, but it is…read moreabsolutely gorgeous here. We haven't been here at sunrise, but the sunsets and stars are so beautiful... you can't help but slowly walk out when it is time to go. Lake Theodore is right off the road and not too hard to spot the entrance. For parking, you can park on the side of the road, right up to the entrance. There is a park & route below about 50 yards away, but that's quite a walk. You do go through a swirly gate and down a path, and there is a trail that leads to the back of the lake. There are spots you need to really pay attention to because of rocks and tree roots. Some trees are growing into the path. There is also some scat along the way, but hey! It's nature. What else do you expect! I have yet to take the path all the way around the small lake, but I have gotten halfway. It's easy to get stuck casting in spots because you'll see some big fish swimming by, or we start catching. In this small lake, you can expect to catch big mouth bass, small mouth bass, lots of blue gill, green sun fish, and a few extras swimming around. For us, the most popular bait we use is the natural big earth worms and night crawlers. For the big mouth bass, the seenkos are pretty popular... 3"-4" long (and we use the watermelon ones). I do like to head back to the front before it gets dark. You can see random spiders building their webs as the sun starts to set and heaven forbid I walk through those trees and go through a web and end up with a creepy crawly! I love bugs and fishing... but a random bug will make me shriek bloody murder, lol! When the sun goes down(on my side of town), there are so many stars to look at. Planes mostly fly over from the backside of the lake and those are fun to watch, too. I think we sat one night until 11pm casting and watching the stars. It was nice the moon was not out this particular night because it made it nice and dark and the stars shined so bright... As precautions, I suggest bringing bug spray and sun block. Bring some small collapsible chairs. Stock up on some water or whatever you drink. I easily spend 4+ hours at a time here admiring the beauty of nature. For those of you that know... tight lines!

I drove here today with a friend. We did not mean to come here...just found it by accident…read more It is located off his 80 a little above Auburn ca. As you drive up...there is a small parking area. You cannot drive in...there is a gate...so you park on the outside and walk in. There is a dirt path you can walk or ride a bike. By the water you will find places to put a chair and fish. This is a small lake. It is not for boating...or swimming.. There is a sign that clearly states no boats. It is so beautiful here. Peaceful. It would be a great place for lunch or just to sit for a while. I saw some ducks...and birds but no other wild life. It would be a nice place to walk your dogs. Don't wear new shoes...lots of red dirt.

Beautiful park in the Carmichael area, well maintained, great for hosting groups, picnics, BBQs -…read moreattended a corporate family day event here and it was great - plenty of space for multiple bounce houses for kids, shaded awnings, large grassy areas. Parking isn't free but it's also very reasonable. Park is maintained clean and the bathrooms are good. Parking can be a little tricky if there are multiple events going on at the same time, but overall manageable. Not too far from much of East Sacramento and beyond - a solid place for an afternoon walk or outing w/ the family/kids.

Great multi use park!…read more Location: Located in Carmichael off cozy side streets is this great little park with connections to the American River Bike Trail. For the longest time I did realize how extensive the roads and parking is into this area as generally my entrance into this park is off the Bike Trail. It makes a great stop for picnics or for a quick restroom breaks. Activities: There are a lot of open fields, picnic areas, and water areas to explore off the river. One thing is that I would caution exploring the waterways around here as they can be deceptively fast and dangerous. There is also a great handicap accessible fishing areas off the farthest parking lot. Great for working and watching the waterway from the Harold Richy memorial bridge. Cons: It is a self-pay park so important to keep in mind. Can be a little hard to find but is straight down Arden Way.

Hagan Community Park is BIG and beautiful! Plenty of open space, a playground, dog park, and more…read more There's something for everyone, including the pups. Parking is $8, but you can find free parking about a 10 minute walk away. I'll happily walk 10 minutes to save $8. Great location, lots to do, and a perfect spot for a family day out or letting the dog burn some energy!

Came here looking for a shaded dog park. Hagan offers paid and free parking. Parked in the free…read moreparking and the walk was not bad at all. Went to the large dog park side which was semi-shaded. There was a double gate to enter. A hose with a water bowl and lots of seating for owners. All the dogs had a blast here

If you have never been to the Lake Natoma Recreation area, you are missing out on a very beautiful…read morelake. It is the place to Paddle board, swim in the water, look at sailboats big & small. There are kids learning to kayak in classes, families setting up day tents and people just enjoying a beautiful lake. The geese just paddle in the water and ducks fly low to the water as you paddle by. Right off of highway 50. This is my first paddle boarding experience. You take out the paddle board out of the bag, Lay it out. Blow it up, put on 3 fins on the bottom and you your paddle are ready to go. Have your life jacket, hat, water and a camera. I met really great people just floating and paddling today. This lake is really big. I stayed close to the main recreational area since I am new. I heard there is a cave you can explore. Natoma recreational park is a place for picnics, families, water sports, paddle boarding, sailing and fun in the sun. I am hooked on paddle boarding now. I love this lake! See you again. Bring the family or just yourself. Have an adventure. Julie A

Love Lake Natoma. Lots of water loving options for fun. Beach, picnic areas, connections to trails,…read moreand shade. No current is family friendly swimming for all. Love to take in a sunset on our stand up boards. You've got to check this place out for yourself. I am eager to return soon. Great place to beat the heat.

First time here, nice experience. Relatively quiet (blowers from the golf course next door the only…read moreminus on that count) and wholly uncrowded on this December Thursday afternoon. There's a trail on both sides of the lake, benches, picnic areas, large play structure that doesn't dominate the landscape and lots of nature. Parking is $6 (automated kiosk for that) and while there are restrooms, you will share them with the handful of homeless that are staying there. Who I saw on this day were mostly respectful and relatively clean, but just be aware that there's a chance you'll come across this. Non-motorized boats are allowed--none out on this day--and we'll give this place a try with kayaks to explore a bit all around the lake. Overall, this is a nice spot close to us here in Rancho.

Nice place to walk, has many trails. Good for boating and fishing. Nice bathroom. Multiple private…read moreeating sections with BBQ pits. first come first serve. Also large gathering area in the front of the park. And 2 huge play places for kids. Lots of places to park.Multiple handicap parking as well as 2 extra shaded handicap parking spots near the lake. Multiple small trash cans throughout the park, as well as 2 large Atlas containers if necessary for trash on your way out of the park.

Funday Sundaze! Love…read morethis place!! A local getaway to have some fun in the sun with the whole fam. Whether it's paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, fishing or just BBQING. Can't beat the calm water! Have been paddle boarding here year after year. Other: -Day pass $10 -cash and card -Plenty of parking -Plenty of bathrooms -Plenty of places to set up your tent -some life jackets available/ first come first get lol - this place is right next to the aquatic center - if you want to rent a kayak other gear you go to the aquatic center first.

We came here over the 4th of July weekend and let me say how pleased I was to see not as much…read moreovercrowding as I was expecting and no price gouging on rentals due to the holiday! Parking included. ($10 only) This place makes for a great lake day not too far from Sacramento and right off the Hazel Avenue freeway exit. I'll take a 20 minute drive versus 45 to 1 hour to Folsom any day. Unless of course you plan to do boating or jet skiing. I have not been here since I was in college. As a Sac State student (Go Hornets!) you get discounts on the rentals. However, if you're not a student the pricing on their rentals were very affordable. For reference, we rented a paddle board and kayak for 3-3.5 hours paying only $100! Again, over a holiday weekend! That's a win in my book. The shore is pretty rocky in some areas, especially the beach area near the entrance. If you continue towards the bend there is more sand for little ones to dig and play with. You'll encounter rocks but not nearly as large and in such an abundance. The beaches, walkways, and parking lot were pretty clean. Bathroom wasn't disgusting either! We absolutely will be back again for the rest of this summer and through the warmer months after!

Great place to park and walk the river, have a picnic or hang with family. So grateful for these…read morebeautiful gems in our town!

Been here once. Plenty of trails, parking, latrines. Bring a…read morepair of hiking boots as the trails are uneven.

The beauty of the American River and its surrounds is closer than you think. This is a great spot…read morefor hikes, bird-watching and nature-admiring. If you park close to Equus Court in Fair Oaks, you can hoof it past the toll booth if you would rather not pay the fees. Driving towards the main gate, you'll see a path to the right of the yellow gate. Take this path and meander until you reach the pond! I have a horrible sense of direction so I can't tell you "walk 10 yards at 2:00 in a north-easterly direction" but if you take this path, you'll still have a beautiful walk, trust me. The pond links to the river and during times when the river is high, this place fills up too. I'm pretty sure someone released their pet goldfish in here because sometimes I'll see a large orange object in the water; a goldfish on steroids, I kid you not. Another friend has also seen it, but you have to be here when the light is right, when the water is still and when no one else is looking. Maybe I'll call it "Bessie" (instead of "Nessie"). You can also spot turtles sunning themselves, numerous waterfowl and a large-mouthed bass lurks in the deep. (To David O., Sailor Bar is not an actual bar. I know you were impressed when I checked in here at 8:30 am the other day. You probably thought I was hanging out with sailors from the Navy, being a lush and all. Hate to disappoint you, but it was for a hike, not Bloody Marys!)

Visited a couple weeks ago and launched some kayaks from here for a trip down the American River to…read moreAcil Hoffman Park. Nice small boat ramp and was not over crowded.

The American River Parkway is a gem. Nice paved trails are patrolled and kept in great shape. Dirt…read moretrails veer off the main paved trail for additional biking fun. I regularly ride from Hazel (Nimbus( to Beale Point and back, about 20 miles. On weekdays the trails are sparsely populated; on weekends very crowded. Get a Poopy Pass to park at a State Rec Area. And don't bother trying to park on the weekend, likely the lots are full and you'll be turned away. Nice picnic areas along the way, some with toilets.

Running along the American River Parkway trail delivers a seamless mix of natural beauty and…read moreoutdoor convenience. The clean, paved trail is ideal for all activity levels, offering shaded pathways and stunning views of the river throughout. Whether you're getting in a serious workout or just taking a relaxed weekend walk, it provides a quiet, refreshing environment.

I just came in today to get some supplies to go Shad fishing this weekend. It's my first time…read morefishing for Shad and an employee, Jonah, helped me find what I would need to have my best shot at catching the fish. The jigs and lines were a decent price and I was able to get in and out in under $20 and 20 minutes. Good value, good service, and the parking isn't too bad either.

The service here is terrible. They clearly could not care less about serving customers if it means…read morethey have to stay open during business hours. At least 20 minutes before closing on Friday, I heard who I presume to be a supervisor at the front, tell the other employees to get everyone to the register immediately. When I asked why I was being rushed to purchase my items when there was still plenty of time, he said because he has to count the register before he can leave. Sir, the way you run a business is to stay open during business hours. He was rude, dismissive and unappreciative of my business. You will never get another dime from me. And based on the other reviews, I imagine this business is regularly losing customers because of poor customer service.