Gateway to California
If you’re looking to stretch your legs and leave town for a day or two when you come to the 2011 WMA Championships, Sacramento is a jumping-off point for some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.
San Francisco
One of the world’s most scenic cities is located just
90 miles (145 km) west of Sacramento. San Francisco
is the financial, cultural and transportation center of
the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of more than 7 million people. Iconic landmarks include
cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown. San Francisco’s
summer temperatures are considerably cooler than Sacramento’s.
Yosemite National Park
Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite National Park is internationally recognized
for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, ice-clear streams, Giant Sequoia trees and biological
diversity. Park sights include Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Cathedral Rocks and El Capitan. The
park is located 175 miles (280 km) southeast of Sacramento in the Sierra Nevada range. Car traffic
in the park is restricted, so make sure to plan ahead.
Lake Tahoe
The largest alpine lake in North America
was called the “fairest picture the whole
earth affords” by author Mark Twain. Lake
Tahoe is known for the clarity of its water, the
panorama of surrounding mountains on all
sides – and picture-perfect summer weather.
Located 100 miles (160 km) east of
Sacramento on the California-Nevada border,
Lake Tahoe features spectacular recreational
opportunities and vibrant night life. The
Nevada side of the lake has numerous casinos
and hotels. 
Napa Valley
The Napa Valley region produces some of the
world’s finest wine. Located just an hour’s
drive west from Sacramento, the Napa Valley
features more than 300 wineries and grows
many grape varieties, including Cabernet
Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Zinfandel.
Napa Valley is visited by as many as five million
people each year and offers golf and ballooning
opportunities in addition to incomparable
wine-tasting.
Gold Country, California Delta and White-Water RaftingCalifornia Gold Rush towns such as Coloma, Angels Camp, Placerville, Sutter Creek, Jackson, Auburn, Columbia, Nevada City, Grass Valley and Sonora offer a trip back in time. Each is within easy driving distance of Sacramento. The California Delta is an intriguing labyrinth of waterways that flow into the San Francisco Bay. With 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of meandering channels, rivers, sloughs and cuts, this fresh-water system offers an abundance of water activities in a languid setting. For a complete list of events and activities in the Delta, visit www.californiadelta.org. Sacramento 2011 will be hiring a tour operator for the WMA Championships. More information will be available on www.wma2011.com. For more information about California tourism, visit www.visitcalifornia.com.
