Forget spring cleaning and head to these unique events along the Capitol Corridor! Travel back in time on a historic vintage excursion train ride in Sacramento, then add to your oldies but goodies collection of vinyl records in Davis. Keep heading south to browse through hundreds of artisan made goods at a craft fairs San Francisco and San Jose.
Excursion Train Rides: 4/7 – 9/23, Sacramento
Happening: 11am – 4pm
Head over to Old Sacramento to spend a history-rich weekend on the Sacramento Southern Railroad Excursion Train. During this 45-minute excursion enjoy a relaxing and memorable train ride along the picturesque levees of the Sacramento River pulled by a vintage steam locomotive or a historic diesel locomotive. Appealing to all ages, the experience will offer guests the chance to enjoy train travel from an earlier era. Trains feature a combination of vintage closed coaches with comfortable seats; open-air “gondolas” with bench-style seating; or VIP train ride experiences on board one of the California State Railroad Museum’s three, first-class cars — the El Dorado lounge observation car, the Audubon dining car, or the French Quarter lounge car that served the famed Southern Pacific “Sunset Limited” service in the 1950s. This year marks the 35th consecutive season the excursion trains have been operating in Old Sacramento. Tickets are available for pre-purchase online, except for the day of the excursion. Tickets are available on the weekends on a first-come, first-served basis starting 10:30am.
Getting there: Take the train to the Sacramento Station, which is a five-minute walk to the California State Rail Museum.
Vinyl and Music Fair: 4/7, Davis
Happening: 8:30am – 4pm
Calling all retro vinyl fans! Get ready to dig through some of the best music memorabilia at the Vinyl and Music Fair in Davis this weekend. Hosted by Armadillo Music and KDVS 90.3 FM, the biannual event will feature more than 50 vendors from all over California selling their collections of new and used vinyls, CDs, DVDS, tapes, equipment, and music memorabilia. The family-friendly event is for anyone who wants to sell, buy, trade, or just connect with other collectors. It opens to the public for free at 9am at the Davis Senior Center, but early birds can enter for $5 at 8:30am.
Getting there: Take the Capitol Corridor to the Davis Station, which is just over half a mile from the Davis Senior Center.
Renegade Craft Fair: 4/7 – 4/8, San Francisco
Happening: 11am – 6pm
Out with old, in with the new! (That’s what spring cleaning is about – right?) At the Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center shoppers will explore a curated showcase of independent craft and design vendors. With live music and DJ sets playing in the background, browse more than 300 of the best indie-craft and handmade goods, including ceramics, paper items, bath and body products, home furnishings, apparel, accessories, glass art, textiles, fiber arts, and leather goods. Visitors can indulge the inner artist by learning a new skill from the many Do-It-Yourself (DIY) workshops available. The event will also have a lineup of local food and drink vendors. Renegade is a celebration of the creative spirit and attendance is free.
Getting there: Depending on your station of origin, take the Capitol Corridor train to the Richmond Station or Oakland Coliseum Station, connect to BART, and get off in downtown San Francisco. From downtown you can take Muni, or catch a cab, Lyft, or Uber to Fort Mason.
Makers Market: 4/7, San Jose
Happening: Noon – 6pm
San Francisco isn’t the only spot for unique, handcrafted items this weekend. In the South Bay, check out the curated marketplace at Makers Market in San Jose’s Santana Row Park. More than 100 local artisan-crafted works from some of the Bay Area’s most skilled craftspeople selling organic, ethically-produced goods such as jewelry, handbags, ceramics, glassware, soaps, succulents, and candles. Sample complimentary wine and bites while enjoying live music and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) workshops in a beautiful outdoor park setting. Supporting local small businesses, Makers Market in the Park features new makers and new products each month.
Getting there: Take the train to the San Jose-Diridon Station. From there you can walk or take a short light rail ride on the VTA’s Mountain View line with a free Transit Transfer. You can also catch VTA’s free Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH). The event address is 377 Santana Row, San Jose.
Written by Sylvia Sheehan
Photo courtesy Kelly Huston