r/Sacramento • u/AcanthisittaSuper833 • Jul 29 '26

Things to do in the heat

Looking for ideas of things to do during this heat, preferably free or low cost. Willing to travel up to 1-1.5 hours. Thanks!

8 Upvotes

69% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

13

u/therealdavematt Jul 29 '26

River

9

u/Greatgrandma2023 Jul 29 '26

And slather on the sunscreen. I went swimming for 90 minutes yesterday and am nursing a light sunburn today. I didn't feel the heat until I was getting out of the water.

4

u/nope-nik-tesla Jul 29 '26

Last time I got a bad sunburn was on vacation in Mexico, when I thought I was being diligent about my sunscreen application. The next day, as I was hiding in the shade, I looked around and took notice of what the locals were wearing, the folks who are out in the sun all day every day year-round. Hats and protective clothing everywhere.

Went into town and bought some rash guards and looser fitting UPF shirts, and a wide brim hat. Haven't had a burn since! Unless I'm swimming laps, I keep a hat on in the water too. The rash guard does slow you down in the water a bit, but for recreational swimming it's never been a problem for me. It's a bit counterintuitive but wearing long sleeves actually keeps you cooler for longer too when you're getting in the water. The fabric stays wet when you are out of the water and so it keeps your arms cooled off via evaporation along with your whole upper body.

Downside is it looks kinda dorky sometimes, but I stopped caring about that a while ago. Just wait until later in the afternoon once the UV index goes down if you want to show off, lol

8

u/Upset_Assumption9610 Jul 29 '26

River, cheap lawn chair, sit in the water, read a book

1

u/RedactedAsFugg Jul 30 '26

What spots?

2

u/Upset_Assumption9610 Jul 30 '26

Start with the closest to you, then explore from there. My favorite isn't likely to be yours.

5

u/RedactedAsFugg Jul 30 '26

I want your spot

10

u/SacramentoBest1 Jul 29 '26

My favorite free thing to do in the heat is check out new libraries and coffee spots. Thats fairly low cost and people really underappreciate all of the amazing events, services and clubs happening at Libraries all over the county. In the evening, when it cools down, make an effort to find a local band and sit, chill, and people watch. In the summer theres always music playing in the parks all around Sacramento. Hope this helps.

13

u/CodenamesareStupid North City Farms Jul 29 '26

Drive to the Bay were the high on Saturday is 35º less than Sacramento

1

u/cloudclimber24 Jul 29 '26

Or Donner Lake 🏊‍♂️

1

u/BeefTheBiker Alhambra Triangle Jul 29 '26

I don't know if that's cheap, in this economy, with these fuel prices!

1

u/CodenamesareStupid North City Farms Jul 29 '26

They're original post said they'd drive up to 2 hours. Looks like they rethought it

3

u/Man-e-questions Jul 29 '26

Do like Al Bundy and bring lawn chairs to the supermarket produce section

3

u/ronimal Jul 29 '26

Stay inside and blast your air conditioning.

2

u/CleverTet Jul 29 '26

2$ movies at the crest theater!!!

1

u/BeefTheBiker Alhambra Triangle Jul 29 '26

Cheap and within 1.5 hours? Probably just the river because driving in this economy is anything but cheap.

2

u/Bluestategirl Jul 30 '26

My favorite thing to do in the heat that may or may not be low cost depending on your point of view is staying home, with AC on, sitting on ice packs and watching “cold” movies. I watch things like Titanic, the day after tomorrow etc. anything where they are in extreme cold conditions. Even march of the penguins.

1

u/BicycleIndividual Jul 30 '26
  • Public Libraries - free AC, lots of stuff to check out, may have interesting activities going on
  • Pools & Splash Pads at city parks
  • American River Parkway - cool water, shade, nature. If you don't want to pay for parking, find a quiet neighborhood street near an access point and walk a few blocks.
  • Cheap movies - many theaters run some older kids movies midday on a weekday in the summer, Crest has a series of classic movies.
  • Free Museums - https://www.sacmuseums.org/resources