The Sacramento region offers endless farm-to-fork dining options, whether you're hungry for a casual bite or a four-course meal. But beyond sampling from our restaurant scene, visitors can get a taste of local farm-to-fork culture through countless activities ranging from farm tours to culinary festivals. If you're hungry for a farm-to-fork adventure, Sacramento has something on the menu that is sure to please.

Farms and Ranches

Visitors to the Sacramento region can go well beyond tasting delicious food – you can also see where it comes from. Many Sacramento region farms and ranches offer private and group tours, as well as special events that provide travelers with a firsthand view of local food-sourcing. Samples of area farm tour options are included below; we suggest contacting the farm or ranch of your choice for more event details!

Soil Born Farms: A Sacramento County urban farm that supplies produce for area eateries and farmers markets, while also offering educational opportunities for kids and adults. Guided tours are available by request, and self-guided tours are free to visitors Monday-Saturday, from sunrise to sunset. (916) 363-9685.

Vierra Farms: The Vierra family owns and operates this large produce farm in West Sacramento. Vierra Farms not only sells their produce at regional farmers markets around Northern California, but also to large grocery retailers. Visitors can see the farm for themselves when Vierra's produce stand is open June-Oct. 2015, Mon.-Fri., noon-7 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m-6 p.m.

Clowell Thundering Herd Ranch:Located just thirty minutes outside of Sacramento, the Clowell family grows Owari Satsuma mandarins, Meyer lemons, Hachiya and Fuyu persimmons, oranges, limes, kumquats, pomegranates, apples and plums to create citrus oils and sauces. Individual visitors or tourism groups can travel to the ranch and sample products and fruits in the tasting room by calling (916)-672-7451 to make an appointment.

Del Rio Botanical:Visitors can tour this West Sacramento produce and seed farm, or sign up for deliveries of fresh vegetables right to their front door. Del Rio offers a menu of farm tours paired with food and wine tastings (and even an opportunity to milk the farm's goat!) throughout the year. Call 916-919-1843 for upcoming tour dates and to reserve a spot.

Hanks Hens & All Things Good: Foodies can find herbs, eggs, produce and lamb on this small farm just ten minutes outside of downtown Sacramento. Tours are available by appointment for individuals or groups at (707) 484-3464.

Farm Fresh to You: Known throughout the region for its produce delivery service, visitors can see where this unique farm's organic fruits and vegetables are grown in Capay, about 45 minutes outside of downtown Sacramento. Tours are offered from March-October, during the second Saturday of every month, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Farmers Markets

Visitors can find a farmers market in the Sacramento region 365 days a year, with multiple options available daily during the spring, summer and harvest seasons. Shoppers will find local produce, meats, desserts and other regionally-sourced products to create a farm-to-fork meal of their own. You can click here to find a market near you. (Map sources: The Sacramento Bee and Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner's Office)

Sacramento Central Certified Farmers Market:The largest California Certified Farmers Market in the state can be found year-round on Sundays from 8 a.m.-noon at 8th & W Streets under Highway 50/80 in downtown Sacramento.

Cooking Classes & Chefs Demonstrations

What's better than sampling some farm-to-fork delights in Sacramento's eateries? Going behind the scenes to see how these delicious meals are prepared, or learning to create them yourself! The Sacramento region offers a wide range of chefs demonstrations and cooking classes, ranging from Japanese food to craft cocktails. Included below are a sampling of offerings guaranteed to pique any budding chef's interest. 

Hook & Ladder:Forks aren't seeing all of the action in Sacramento; visitors can experience farm-to-glass with craft cocktail classes at Hook & Ladder. Aspiring bartenders cans get tips from the restaurant's mixologists, and of course, sip the fruits of their labor. Reservations are available for small groups by calling (916) 596-1952.    

The Kitchen:One of the Sacramento region's most renowned dining experiences, The Kitchen pairs cooking demonstrations with four-star cuisine, as participants sip wine and cocktails while viewing their dinner being prepared in “Acts,” much like their favorite play. Reservations in advance are required; call (916) 568-7171 for available dates.

Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op:Food lovers can try their hand at making everything from udon noodles to Indian street food at this Sacramento institution's cooking school. Classes are also available for kids and teens! Course schedules vary by week, and pre-registration is required. Visit www.sacfoodcoop.com for more information.

Sushiology, Mikuni:Learn about the art of sushi-making at one of Mikuni's popular Sacramento region locations. Sushi students receive a sushi kit to take home and will hone their skills while sampling appetizers, beer and sake. Class dates are ongoing; see mikunisushi.com/events for details.

Taylor's Market:Learn the basics of butchering at one of the Sacramento region's most well-known marketplaces from Taylor's Market owner, Danny Johnson. Students will try their hand that working with pork, followed by a delicious lunch.

Bike & Walking Food Tours

Looking to incorporate a little sightseeing into your culinary adventure? The Sacramento region boasts several options that allow visitors to savor local tastes on foot or even by bike. Whether it's a guided tour or a self-led exploration that you're after, it's time to lace-up those sneakers and work-up an appetite.  

Follow the Chef:Each spring, foodies can catch a glimpse of how a local farm-to-fork chef selects his ingredients, and then taste the results! Tour participants travel to downtown Sacramento's Cesar Chavez Farmers Market to talk about seasonal products with Chef Oliver Ridgeway from Grange restaurant. The tour ends with a Grange lunch made from the same ingredients. Tours are led each Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. each spring and summer – call 916-492-4450 for reservations and event dates.

Local Roots Food Tours:Serious foodies won't be disappointed in these walking tours of Sacramento eateries, with a focus on Farm-to-Fork. The half-day tours are available weekly and vary based upon the route, and you're sure to be rewarded for your steps with an unforgettable meal or two.

Sac Brew Bike: The Sacramento region is home to an exploding craft beer scene, with more than 40 breweries throughout the area. Thirsty visitors can pedal for their pints aboard this bicycle built for 15 while touring some of Sacramento's beer hot spots.

Culinary Festivals & Events

The Sacramento region doesn't just focus on food during one season – farm-to-fork is celebrated year-round. So it's no surprise that there are countless annual events that highlight the foods and drinks that have put Sacramento's culinary scene on the map. Included below are several well-known events sure to provide travelers with a taste of the region…and leave them asking for a second helping.

The Farm-to-Fork Festival (Sept. 27, 2015):Designed to demonstrate where our food and drinks come from, the Farm-to-Fork Festival has proven to be one of the region's most popular events. The free event hosted on the city's iconic Capitol Mall boasts an exciting selection of farm-to-fork offerings that are produced and available in the Sacramento region. Attendees will find food, wine and beer from regional eateries and purveyors, as well as live music, cooking demonstrations, a kids' zone, interactive booths from local grocers, farms and ranches and more. Visitors can find more information about the 2015 festival at www.farmtofork.com/festival-info.

California Craft Beer Summit Brewer's Showcase (September 12, 2015): New this year, Sacramento is home to California's first craft beer summit, bringing beer-lovers and industry professionals together to celebrate the state's best ales. At the showcase, consumers can mix and mingle with California's leading brewers and taste the beers that are putting the state on the map.

 The Big Crush (October 2015):Wine-lovers head for the foothills each fall, as the vintners of Amador County celebrate the harvest season with the annual Big Crush events. Located less than an hour outside of downtown Sacramento, this day-long celebration includes tastings from hundreds of wineries, food, music and more. More information can be found at amadorwine.com.  

Hoes Down Harvest Festival (Oct. 3-4, 2015):Visitors can celebrate the harvest season on a real working farm, when the team at Full Belly Farm (located about an hour from downtown Sacramento) puts down their tools for the day and kicks off an overnight party. During the day, visitors can attend farming seminars, sample local food and drinks, enjoy kids' activities, listen to live music and more. Then, guests can settle in for the evening with an overnight campout at the farm's orchard, with a huge farm-style breakfast to greet them in the morning. More information can be found at www.hoesdown.org.

Sacramento Beer Week (March 2016)In celebration of Sacramento's exploding craft beer scene, visitors can raise a pint during this week-long event, featuring beer tastings and releases at local breweries and restaurants across the region. This always-popular week culminates with a beer festival on Sacramento's Capitol Mall, attracting thousands of thirsty fans. More information can be found at www.sacramentobeerweek.com.

Sacramento Food & Film Festival (March 2016):Delicious meals and food-themed movies come together during Sacramento's Food & Film Festival. This annual event features daily meal and film pairings at rotating locations across the region. Ranging from four-star cuisine and documentaries to spaghetti and cartoons, there's something for everyone throughout the weeklong celebration. More information is available at sacfoodfilmfest.com.  

Bud Break & Barrel Tasting (April 2016): Visitors can celebrate Bud Break alongside Sacramento region wineries at the Old Sugar Mill during the annual Bud Break & Barrel Tasting weekend. Wine-lovers can sample new wines while enjoying a picnic lunch, take winery tours and seminars, or simply relax to the sound of live music. More information is available at oldsugarmill.com.