Fall in Sacramento is the long, golden kind. The heat breaks, the trees turn and the river trail beside campus is at its best. If you’re looking at apartments near Sac State, here’s what fall looks like from The Crossings on Ramona Avenue, sorted by how far you’ll go.
What is fall like at the Crossing apartments near Sac State?
Fall here is when you can be outside all day again. Sacramento summers push everything indoors. By October the mornings are cool, the afternoons are warm and a bike is the best way to get anywhere.
The Crossings is at 2920 Ramona Avenue, near Sacramento State. There are indoor bike racks in every building, which tells you how people get around. I’ll start with what’s closest.
Closest: campus and the river
Sac State sits on the American River, and that’s the first thing to use. The Guy West Bridge, the one that looks like a small Golden Gate, crosses from campus to the trail on the far bank.
From there, the American River bike trail runs for miles in both directions. Ride it, run it or walk a stretch between classes. In October the cottonwoods along the water go yellow, and you’ll see more wildlife than you’d expect this close to a city. Go in the late afternoon.
Campus itself is worth a slow walk in the fall. Sacramento calls itself the City of Trees, and Sac State has its share.
A bike ride away: Midtown
Midtown is where the city’s coffee shops, murals and restaurants concentrate. It’s a flat ride from the Sac State area, and fall is the season to do it.
Go on a Saturday morning for the Midtown Farmers Market. It’s a big one, with produce from farms that are a short drive away. Sacramento takes its farm-to-fork identity seriously, and October is harvest time. Check the market’s hours before you go.
Buy fruit, get a pastry, lock your bike and wander. I won’t name restaurants. There are too many, and you’ll have opinions of your own within a month.
Across town: is Old Sacramento worth a visit?
Once, at least. The Old Sacramento Waterfront is the Gold Rush district on the river, with wooden sidewalks, old storefronts and a railroad museum. It’s touristy. It’s also a real piece of the city’s history, and a good place to take family when they visit.
Go on a weekday afternoon if you can. Weekends are crowded.
The day trip: Apple Hill
This is the fall tradition around here. Apple Hill is a group of farms and orchards in the foothills near Placerville, east of Sacramento. In October it’s apples, cider, pie and pumpkin patches.
Two tips. Go on a weekday or go early, because weekend traffic up the hill is famous. And fill the car, so you can split gas and parking. Reserved parking at The Crossings means your spot is waiting when you get back.
Come home with a pie. Eat it with your roommates in the courtyard. That’s the whole plan and it’s a good one.
What about staying in?
Some of the best fall evenings are the ones where you don’t leave. The Crossings has a fire pit with a seating lounge and a courtyard with a grill and chill space. Once the sun goes down in October, it’s cool enough to want a fire.
Shoot around on the outdoor basketball court while dinner’s on the grill. The resort-style pool is there for the warm afternoons Sacramento still hands out this time of year. Check hours with the office.
If you have a dog, the community is pet friendly, and fall is the season your dog has been waiting for. The river trail is a great walk. Check leash rules for the section you use.
What should you plan around this month?
Midterms, most likely. Check each syllabus. The 24/7 study lounge at The Crossings covers the work, and the trips on this list make good rewards.
Halloween is a Saturday this year, October 31. Then daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 1. The clocks fall back, and evenings get dark early. As the days get shorter, an afternoon ride may mean bringing bike lights or moving your plans earlier.
So ride now. You can see the fire pit and courtyard in the gallery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there bike parking at The Crossings?
Yes. There are indoor bike racks in every building.
How do you get to the American River trail from Sac State?
The Guy West Bridge on campus crosses the river to the trail. Map the route from your building.
When is Apple Hill season?
Apple Hill farms are busiest in the fall. Check individual farm hours and expect heavy weekend traffic in October.
Is The Crossings pet friendly?
Yes. Contact the office for the current pet policy.
Key Takeaways
- Fall is bike season at the Crossing apartments near Sac State, with indoor bike racks in every building.
- The American River trail and Guy West Bridge are the closest and easiest outing.
- Midtown’s Saturday market and Old Sacramento are a ride or short drive away.
- Apple Hill is the classic October day trip; go early or on a weekday.
