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Elk Grove grew up in 1850, when James Hall opened the Elk Grove House, a hotel and stage stop on the road between Sacramento and the gold country, named for the herds of tule elk that once grazed among the oaks. The settlement became a farming town surrounded by vineyards, hop fields, grain and dairies, and its main street gained brick stores, churches and a hotel in the late 1800s.
For more than a century Elk Grove remained a small rural town south of Sacramento, until the late 1900s brought rapid growth. It was incorporated as a city in 2000 and soon became one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, a diverse, family-oriented community with large Asian, Latino and Black populations and many parks.
Old Town Elk Grove keeps its historic main street, with restored buildings, local restaurants and the Elk Grove Historical Society's park and museum. Elk Grove Regional Park hosts the yearly Western Festival, the fall Giant Pumpkin Festival draws huge pumpkins from across the West, and the nearby Cosumnes River Preserve and Stone Lakes wildlife refuge are famous for wintering sandhill cranes.
Old Town Elk Grove is the city's historic center along Elk Grove Boulevard, with older brick and wood buildings, restaurants, bars, antique shops and the Old Town Plaza. It hosts events such as the Western Festival and seasonal markets. Park once and walk the few blocks; evenings are livelier than weekday mornings.
The Elk Grove Historical Society looks after a small historic park with restored buildings, including the Rhoads School, a one-room schoolhouse from the 1870s. Exhibits show farm life, early school days and the town's past. Opening days are limited and often tied to events, so check the historical society schedule first.
The Elk Grove Western Festival is a long-running spring community celebration of the town's ranching roots, held in Old Town with a parade, live music, food booths, vendors and family activities. It draws big local crowds. Arrive early for parking and a good spot along the parade route, and bring sun protection.
The Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival is held in early fall at Elk Grove Regional Park and features a weigh-off of enormous pumpkins, some topping 1,500 pounds, plus carnival rides, live music, crafts and food. It is fun for families. Check the dates each year and go early in the day before the heat and the crowds.
Elk Grove Regional Park is a large city park with a small lake, walking paths, picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields and a softball complex. It hosts many community events through the year. It is a good place for a relaxed afternoon; bring a picnic and look for ducks and geese around the lake.
District56 is Elk Grove's modern civic and community campus, with a community center, a senior center and a nature area with paths, ponds and native plants. It hosts classes, concerts and community events. Walk the nature trail loop in the morning or early evening, and check the events calendar for what is on.
The Laguna Creek Trail is a paved multi-use path that follows the Laguna Creek parkway through the neighborhoods of Elk Grove, connecting parks and open green space. It is flat and good for walking, running and casual cycling, with birds along the creek. Access points are spread around town, with street parking nearby.
The Cosumnes River Preserve south of Elk Grove protects one of the last undammed rivers flowing from the Sierra Nevada, with wetlands, valley oak forest and flooded fields. Winter brings sandhill cranes and many waterfowl. Start at the visitor center and walk the easy boardwalk and the River Walk Trail.
Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge lies along the western edge of Elk Grove and protects wetlands, grasslands and riparian forest on the Pacific Flyway. Winter is best for waterfowl and sandhill cranes. Public access is limited to certain trails and open days, so check the refuge website before you go.
Sky River Casino opened in Elk Grove in 2022 and is one of the largest casinos in the Sacramento region, with slot machines, table games, several restaurants and bars, and a food hall. It is open around the clock with free parking. Visitors must be 21 or older to enter the gaming floor.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Justine Belson/USFWS, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
