“It looks like Ireland out there!” proclaimed my teenager. Yes, our backyard is popping with green, as are the Zelkova trees that line our street. As the Sacramento Valley inches towards the wettest year on record, there’s a lot of green to be had. Take advantage of the lush landscape and enjoy the green outdoors. Here are three places in the Sacramento Valley where you can do just that.

Mountains of green

The Sutter Buttes, dubbed the world’s smallest mountain range, is 10-mile wide circle of volcanic peaks smack dab in the center of the Sacramento Valley. Get up-close and personal with these dramatic pinnacles by hiking in this special region. Middle Mountain Interpretive Hikes, offers various hiking experiences, from easy to extreme in difficulty.

UC Davis Arboretum

Nearly 22,000 trees and plants call the UC Davis arboretum home, so it’s clear this place is bursting with green, among other colors of the rainbow. The arboretum, founded in 1936, is always open and always free. Along with the lush landscape you’ll see ducks, birds and even horses (in their corrals of course!) along the arboretum’s paths. 

Photo courtesy County of Placer

Miles of meandering

Hidden Falls Regional Park, near Auburn, in Placer county, has 30 miles of trials and among it’s 1,200 acres. It also boosts 30-foot waterfalls, swimming and fishing areas. Besides hiking, these trails welcome biking, running and horseback riding.

So get outside, even the teenagers are noticing, the Sacramento Valley is going green for spring.