If you live in the Sacramento area and have a fondness for old Victorian architecture, then a walk through Alkali Flats is a must. This residential neighborhood is the oldest standing community in Sacramento. After a huge fire that wiped out wide parts of the city back in 1852, this area became the resting place of many of Sacramento’s elite. The end result was the beautiful Victorian architecture much of which is still standing today. In addition to these homes, you will find office buildings and industry scattered throughout.
One of the interesting things about this area is that there are some truly unique stores dedicated to your four-legged companion just outside of the neighborhood. Grooming and vet services are not hard to find either.
Sacramento weather is perfect for walking from fall to spring with low annual rainfall. The summer heat can easily be combatted with early morning adventures, so enjoy the ability to walk all year long!
Alkali Flats is so named perhaps for just how flat it is. Lack of elevation is never a problem for the casual walker since most times your goal is to give your dog some fresh air and a chance to stretch their legs. The lack of hills also means that you will have more time to explore more of the neighborhood if you are not working so hard to climb elevations. There is some great scenery provided by some of the truly old Victorian homes in the area, some of which are 170 years old. Keep in mind that in the months of June through September, you should consider walking early in the morning when the concrete that composes most of your walking terrain is cooler. Mid-day walks could result in burned tender paws. Make sure to take plenty of water because both of you will need it as the temperatures start to climb!
If early morning walking does not suit you, there are a couple of parks you can take your furry companion to that have plenty of grass to them to run on. Zapata Park has some grass for your dog to utilize as well as trees and benches that can help both you and your buddy escape the heat. J. Neely Johnson Park is also a smallish park, but it has ample grass and trees to satisfy most pet needs.
If you are up for an adventure, a much larger park to the east is Sutter’s Landing Regional Park. It is a bit of a drive, but the park runs along a river and has plenty of ground that can be walked without being on concrete. Best of all, a dog park for both large and small dogs is on site. At just 3 miles away, it is a great alternative to risking your dog’s feet to blistering hot sidewalks.