Summer fun near Sacramento

June has begun - which means if you don't have a big summer vacation planned (maybe you're staying local because you're having a baby) you might want to find some cool things to do locally. Or at least within a few hours drive.

I'm looking forward to the Soul Food Farm Vintage & Antique Marketplace next Saturday in Vacaville. I've never been, but a vintage market on a farm? Sounds like a winner to me. It will be a good way to spend my birthday weekend with some out of state visitors.

There is always music in the park as well. I'd love to go to one of the Pops in the Park events. If you want outdoor theatre the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival is worth checking out.

Since Martin baby #2 is due end of July - I have a feeling I'm in for some hot miserable days. Lucille and I will be enjoying some sno-cones from Osaka-ya for sure. They are available on a seasonal basis (April 1 - September.) There is also our great local ice cream parlors - Gunther's (yum Swiss Orange Chip!), Vic's and Burr's.

We will be getting lawn seats for some River Cats games this summer - I'm sure. Maybe sneak in a Sacramento Republic FC game too.

On days that its not too hot - I'm sure we'll be checking out some of the local nature reserves. Effie Yeaw, of course and the UC Davis Arboretum are a few good ones in the Sacramento area. If you want to go for a bit of a drive - then I'd recommend the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. It's right off I-5 about 75 mins north of Sacramento.

If you want a nice little drive - I'd consider the Truckee Brew Fest - June 14. Pictures make it seem kid friendly - and I would totally go if only I was drinking beer. Sorry husband, maybe next year. Another Father's Day weekend opportunity is the Isleton Cajun Festival - seems like good food and good music on the Delta!

If you're kids are of the movie going age - and you are lucky enough to be able to sneak away to a 10 a.m. movie during the week - check out Cinemark's Summer Movie Clubhouse. This is a nationwide program and the Sacramento participating theaters are downtown and Greenback Lane. It costs $1 at the door or you can purchase a 10 pack for $5. That's worth the air conditioning alone.

As the picture at the top shows, we have been already enjoying the summer-like weather. If you haven't tried DavePops, I highly recommend them. Lucille and I shared this carrot-mandarin orange pop at the farmers market last weekend.