Bicycling -- One good thing about a town that's as flat as a tortilla: It's perfect for exploring on a bike. One of the best places to ride is Old Sacramento, along the paved 32-mile American River Parkway, through town. If you didn't bring your own wheels, the friendly guys at City Bicycle Works, 2419 K St., at 24th Street (tel. 916/447-2453), will rent you one for about $15 a day.

River Rafting -- Sacramento lies at the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers, and rafting on the clear blue water of the American is popular, especially on warm weekends. Several Sacramento-area outfitters rent rafts for 4 to 15 persons, along with life jackets and paddles for about $15 to $25 per person. Their shuttles drop you and your entourage upstream and meet you 3 to 4 hours later at a predetermined point downstream. A recommended outfitter is American River Raft Rentals, 11257 S. Bridge St. (at Sunrise Ave.), Rancho Cordova (tel. 888/338-RAFT or 916/635-6400).