West Sacramento: what to see

River Walk Park (651 2nd St) runs 9.7 acres along the water between Tower Bridge and the I Street Bridge. It has a promenade, a grand staircase down to the river, Veterans' Plaza and picnic areas with barbecues, with views of Old Sacramento and the downtown skyline. City parks are open dawn to dusk; the city warns that the restrooms here may be closed because of vandalism.

Tower Bridge marks one end of the River Walk, with the I Street Bridge at the other. Visit Sacramento describes the walk between them as having good views of the Old Sacramento waterfront and the downtown skyline. According to Visit Yolo, the county's visitor bureau, a paved walking and biking path along the water passes Tower Bridge on its way to Mill Street Pier.

Visit Yolo describes Mill Street Pier as a historic shipping pier with an illuminated "WEST" sculpture that is a favorite photo spot. Along the River Walk you will also find "Subtile", a piece made of 34,000 stainless steel plates that shimmer in the breeze. Come toward evening, when the sign is lit.

The ballpark at 400 Ballpark Drive sits in the riverside Bridge District. The city describes it as home of the River Cats, the AAA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, and the ballpark's site also lists the Athletics. Parking is sold through ACE Parking, linked from the ballpark's site.

The deep-water port opened for commerce in 1963. It lies 79 nautical miles from San Francisco, and the 40-mile Deep Water Ship Channel connects it to Suisun Bay. Its main cargoes today are rice exports and cement imports. The River City Rowing Club, Lake Washington Sailing Club and Washington Outboard Club are based there. For time on the water, the Barge Canal Recreational Access (2100 Jefferson Blvd) has a hand-carry boat ramp, fishing on the canal's south bank, a trail and panels about the port and its environment.

This 12-acre park (3650 Southport Parkway) in the Southport area has an amphitheater, a spray ground, a baseball diamond and paths around the lake.

Westacre Park (1755 Evergreen Ave) was rebuilt with a state park grant. It now has an expanded skate park with a pump track, pickleball and futsal courts (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.), a playground with a climbing wall, a seasonal spray ground, a reflexology path and a wellness labyrinth. Reservations are not taken; everything is first come, first served.

The city boat ramp at 103 4th St gives access to the Sacramento River, with covered picnic areas, restrooms and a fish cleaning station. The ramp itself is removed for the winter season and stays closed until further notice, so check the city's Parks and Recreation page before you tow a boat.

This one is outside the city, near Davis (45211 County Road 32B), about 10 miles west of Sacramento. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife manages about 16,600 acres of wetlands and riparian woodland there, home to waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, bats and turtles. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset except Christmas Day, and parts may close in winter because of flooding. From I-80, take the East Chiles Road exit. Cyclists can start at Roland Hensley Bike Park (4940 West Capitol Ave), which connects to the Yolo Causeway bike path.

The city-run Recreation Center has a gym, fitness classes, tennis courts, a rock climbing wall, adult and children's pools and a large water slide. It is a good family option on a hot summer day.