Recently stayed at the Embassy Suites Riverfront, right next to the Tower Bridge and the Promenade. Throughout the day, this paved pathway served walkers, joggers, cyclists, and folks who don't seem to have anywhere at all to be.
Several plaques and signs teach little tidbits and factoids about the history of the adjacent Sacramento River. For the patient, there are some birdwatching and nature viewing opportunities from the Promenade-- I saw at least a dozen bird species, and two different types of water turtles basking on floating debris and flooded trees.
Recent rains have flooded the Sacto river, and there are huge logs, branches, and other assorted floating debris heading downstream to the delta.
At night, the Promenade's whole dynamic sort of changes... There are few, if any, joggers out there, but some of those folks with nothing to do from daylight hours seem to still be skulking around. Near the front of the hotel, I saw a fellow punch another man to the ground and steal his backpack, while his delightfully traileresque female companion shouted racial slurs at the fleeing attacker. Stay classy, Sacramento.
I'm not sure how far this Promenade goes in either direction, but the little piece near the bridge seems to be ok, at least during those Vitamin D daylight hours. read more