Best Places To Sunbathe In Sacramento

Soaking up the rays during the long hot summers and warm autumn days in Sacramento is easy to do. Where you do it is the only question. Mix it up. Stay in the city, go out into the county or up into the foothills or mountains. Just remember your summer book, some snacks and by all means, good sunscreen.

Beals Point
1 Beals Point
Granite Bay, CA 95746
(916) 988-0205
www.parks.ca.gov

Beals Point has been a summer favorite in Sacramento for too many years to count. It's on the shore of Folsom Lake, and it has a lot of space to catch the sun's best rays. The amenities include covered picnic tables, restrooms, snack bar and water, lots of water. The lake will cool you down or fill your need for a swim while you are toasting yourself. Find a spot full on in the sun, or close to a shade tree. You'll have a perfect spot to see all of the water sports that occur on the lake. You and you favorite book will enjoy quite a beautiful panorama from the shore.

Miller Park
2710 Ramp Way
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 808-5200
www.cityofsacramento.org

Just a short hop, skip and jump from Old Sacramento, the park is part of the Sacramento Marina. The great Sacramento River flows past here, and the marina is in a nice protected spot. Find your way here on a summer day, and claim a picnic table and BBQ if you plan to do more than catch the rays. Restrooms, green grass, some trees for shade and the river make this a close-to-downtown spot to spend a lazy day sunbathing.

Livermore Community Park
6004 Riley St.
Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 984-2848
www.folsom.ca.us

If you are planning on a day sunbathing, and your children are part of the day, consider this community park as a spot to spread your blanket. There is a very wonderful water feature for children to splash about in. You can soak up Old Sol's warmth and rays while keeping an eye on them. Great grassy areas, picnic tables and under-the-canopy shaded spots will take care of your need for sun and shade. Just because you aren't a child doesn't mean you can't take a turn under the waterfall here. Just don't hog it. The children will want their turns too.

Related: Best Swim Classes In Sacramento

Henningsen Lotus Park
950 Lotus Road
Lotus, CA 95651
(530) 621-5360
www.edcgov.us/Henningsen_Lotus_Park

The South Fork of the American river cruises past this very nice and accessible park. Located just a short drive from Sacramento, you'll find yourself enjoying a different and less crowded space to spread your gear. When you feel a bit too warm, the American River will provide some very cooling waters to remedy that. There are plenty of places to lay out, with trees and cover if you want it, and wide open sun too.

Lake Natoma
1901 Hazel Ave.
Gold River, CA 95670
(916) 278-2842
www.vistfolsom.com

This gorgeous lake is just downstream from Folsom Dam and the Sacramento State Aquatic Center is here. The lake itself is restricted to human-powered water craft, so your time in the sun will be more quiet if that's your speed. Cruise the shoreline for a spot, or claim a part of the large grassy area as yours for the day. Picnic tables with shade covers are available. If you need to get your sunning self moving, swim or rent a kayak or paddle board from the Aquatic Center. Follow the sun for as long as you want, and then roll into the shade of the trees that grace this very family-friendly lake.

Related: Best Summer Vacation Activities In Sacramento

Charles Ferris is a freelance writer who has lived in the Sierra, halfway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, for the last 37 years. In 2010 he retired from teaching after 36 years . He and his wife hike, kayak, cross country ski, snow shoe, ride mountain bikes and road bikes, year round. His work can be found at Examiner.com.