New York has Central Park... San Francisco has Golden Gate Park... Well Sacramento being the capital city of California is fortunate to have "William Land Park" (a.k.a. Land Park). Owned and operated exclusively by the City of Sacramento, this 200+ acre park has served locals and tourists dating back to the late 1800's. It is situated in between I-5 and State Route 160 while major streets such as Land Park Dr., Sutterville Rd., Freeport Blvd., and 13th Ave. surround it.

What makes this park a win-win is that in the several dozen times I have been here, it has never been crowded. You have more than enough ample space to relax by the man made lakes (where you can see ducks, swans, geese), go for a stroll or bike ride, enjoy a picnic (which include benches and BBQ pits), play frisbee, and enjoy the luscious landscaping that includes thousands of fresh flowers, shrubs, and willow trees. There is also a nice children's playground that includes monkey bars, swings, and slides. Parking is surprisingly easy to find on any given day and with the amount of trees here, this can provide a lot of shade on the hotter summer days.

In addition to the leisure activities here, this park also includes a very generous golf course as well as three (3) soccer/rugby fields nearby. The park also offers basketball courts, a jogging path, six (6) softball fields, a wading pool, and a rock garden. One really big plus about this park is that it is within walking distance to the Sacramento Zoo, Fairytale Town, and Funderland (which offer carnival-type rides for young children). And best of all, public restrooms are located throughout the park as well as plenty of areas to dispose of your trash.

For anyone that wishes to test their photography skills, this is definitely the park to do so. The lake also provides a beautiful scenic view that is great for engagement photos and other special occasions. I also feel that Sacramento has done a fair share of upkeep on this park to make it look welcoming for people that wish to visit on a regular basis. With that said and done, I am giving "William Land Park" a perfect five star rating.