Ancil Hoffman Park

Oak woodland trails down to the American River where you'll likely spot deer, plus a nature center with live animals and programs for little kids. Watch for rattlesnakes and ticks in the warm months.

A food hall with seven counters (pizza, sushi, tacos, gelato, pie), so everyone orders what they want and nobody negotiates.

Ride-on miniature steam trains over a mile of track, trestles and all, run by volunteers in Hagan Park. Public ride days are one weekend a month in the warm months, plus a pumpkin train and a Santa train, so plan around them.

Rancho Cordova's biggest park, by the American River trail, with three playgrounds and tons of grass and picnic spots. There's a parking fee on summer weekends.

Carmichael's community park, with two playgrounds, lots of picnic tables and summer concerts at the bandshell.