Fun Things to Do in Sloughhouse

Sacramento County may be home to the State Capital, but that’s hardly all it is known for. We’re talking about a county filled with gems in every corner, and most people go searching for them as soon as they’re done checking all the fun things to do in the city off their list. Among the many gems in Sacramento County is Sloughhouse - a suburban unincorporated community just 17 miles east-southeast of Downtown Sacramento. Sloughhouse also happens to be a California Historic Landmark due to being a favorite stopping place for travelers heading to Amador mines in the 1800s, most famously, Leland Stanford, a former governor of California. 

This off-the-beaten-path area is where city life takes a break and gives way to vast greenlands where serenity and relaxation are offered. Whether you’re a Sacramentan looking for some fun nearby, or road-tripping to your favorite county and looking for all the exciting stuff you can discover in its small towns, here’s a list of fun things to do in Sloughhouse that will make your visit to the area extra memorable.

Cool Things To Do In Sloughhouse, CA

1. Join the Ranks of Those Who’ve Fallen in Love With the Sweet Corn From Davis Ranch

If you’ve never heard of or been to the Davis Ranch, we tell you, you are in for a treat. Better known as the “The Home of Sloughhouse Sweet Corn”, this family-friendly farm is where nature produces the best of its produce for your enjoyment. People come here from all across the county and beyond to take bite after bite of the famous, juicy Sloughhouse corn. But there’s so much more to the Davis Ranch than just its out-of-this-world yellow and white corn. Sweet asparagus is another specialty of the farm, and you will want to buy pound after pound of the freshly cut vegetables.

The ranch has recently added a new must-have experience to its list of experiences, and it comes in the form of a U-pick farm. Corn, cucumbers, summer squash, zucchinis, green beans, and peppers are just some of the fresh produce you can pick and take home with you from this Sloughhouse U-pick farm. And if you need more reasons to love the Davis Ranch, we’ll give you one more. Every year, right after Thanksgiving, the ranch offers “choose and cut” Christmas trees to set the mood for the season. It will just take you one visit to realize you’re at one of the best Christmas tree farms in California. Make a family outing out of your trip to the Davis Ranch, and we promise, you’ll have the best fun in nature you’ve ever had. 

2. Have a Yummy Bite at The Sloughhouse Kitchen

It’s tapas time in Sloughhouse, CA, and our next destination is The Sloughhouse Kitchen. Between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. from Wednesday through Sunday, the restaurant has one thing and one thing on its menu, and that’s of course an assortment of tapas. The bountiful five plate serving consisting of meats, cheeses, pickled seafood, seasoned pickled peppers, and freshly made sourdough bread is one of the reasons why people show up in Sloughhouse specifically around lunchtime. 

If you’re in town in the afternoon or evening hours (between 4:30 and 9:30 p.m.), you’ll have even more options to choose from — even though tapas should still be a go-to. Between the mouthwatering salads, appetizers, pastas, and the famous duck confit, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Next time you wonder why you should visit Sacramento, The Sloughhouse Kitchen should be your answer. 

3. Enjoy Your Favorite Outdoor Sports at Deer Creek Hills Nature Reserve

Did you know that one of Sacramento County’s biggest nature preserves is located in Sloughhouse? If you didn’t know, now you do, and you should start planning a trip to Deer Creek Hills Nature Reserve soon. Spanning 4,060 acres, the park is a working cattle ranch with over 170 species of birds, 105 species of mammals, and around 50 amphibians and reptiles. Rangelands, oak woodlands, grasslands and seasonal creek​​s make up most of the surface area of Deer Creek Hills.

From February through May and from October through November, you can dedicate a Saturday to explore the three marked trails of the park between 9am and 1pm. You can also check with the park for guided tours and hikes which feature botany, birding, history, stargazing, and yoga. But, if you’re not much of a hiker, and are on a constant quest to find the best mountain biking trails in California, Deer Creek Hills is the place to be. Every Monday night between July and October, you can join your fellow mountain bikers on a journey of exploring gorgeous oak woodlands. 

4. Stay at the Nearby Murieta Inn and Spa

Rancho Murieta is a census-designated region right next to Sloughhouse, and is home to the famous Murieta Inn and Spa. No matter which part of Sacramento you are visiting, this is the lodging you need to consider for your overnight stay, and especially if you’re visiting Sloughhouse, CA. Featuring 83 unique guest rooms and suites, Murieta Inn and Spa promises comfort within a picturesque setting. Between the beautiful nature of Rancho Murieta and the panoramic Sierra Nevadas, as well as the admirable classic Spanish Hacienda architecture of the inn, your eyes are in for a treat both indoors and outdoors.

The Murieta Inn and Spa was not built to keep you locked in. Truth is, with all the amenities available, you’ll want to leave your room as much as possible. The hotel’s Cupola Spa offers guests amazing body treatments, refreshing facials, and different types of massages, including the Himalayan Salt Stone massage, the Deep Tissue massage, and the Couples Ritual massage. Here you’ll also find The Gate Restaurant, which is probably the best representation of American-style cuisine, with all locally-sourced ingredients. 

If you’re in the area with your family, you’ll be glad to know that all of you will have a blast at the hotel, at all times of the day. Between the awesome outdoor pool, playground, life-sized board games, and fire pits for late nights’ mores, you’ll be having the time of your life. And if you and your boo would love to enjoy a good round of golf at one of the best golf courses in California, the hotel has you covered as well. You can book your golf package and take a swing at the private, members only, Rancho Murieta Country Club. 

A day in Sloughhouse is a day well spent, and if you’ve come to realize that already, it’s time to plan your next California road trip and dedicate a full day to this laid-back town. Just make sure you don’t leave this gem for last, because chances are you’ll regret that decision soon enough. 

Disclaimer: California.com is not receiving any type of compensation for reviewing any of the products or services mentioned in this article.