Founded in 1850 as a stagecoach stop, Elk Grove is now a bustling commuter city south of the California state capital, Sacramento. It remained an agricultural community until the 1980s when suburban dwellings were built and it was officially incorporated as a city in 2000.
Things to do in Elk Grove
If you're interested in the local history, visit the Elk Grove Historical Society, which occupies two buildings in the north-west corner of Elk Grove Regional Park. Admire the reconstructed 19th-century stagecoach stop and the original courthouse building and jail, which served the area until the mid-20th century. Also forming part of the complex is the oldest remaining residence in Elk Grove, the 1853-built Foulks House.
After your visit, you can explore the leafy walking trails of Elk Grove Regional Park, which centres around a duck-filled lake. Take advantage of the recreational facilities that include volleyball courts, a soccer field and a disc golf course or enjoy a swim at the Jerry Fox Center. Concerts regularly take place on Strauss Island and in the park’s pavilion.
On the edge of Elk Grove is the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, which provides an important habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. It encompasses wetlands, grasslands and riparian forests, as well as some of the Sacramento Valley’s last remaining freshwater lakes. Join a guided walk to spot great blue herons and Swainson’s hawks and the threatened valley elderberry longhorn beetle.
Getting around Elk Grove
Elk Grove is around 25 minutes’ drive from Sacramento and 30 minutes from Sacramento International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Buses connect to Elk Grove and travel throughout the city, although renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.