Ticket to a summer vacation

A truly indulgent weekend get-away doesn’t necessarily equate to draining one’s bank account on luxurious spas and $600 dinners at the French Laundry.

Extravagance can come in the abstract form of simply deviating from normal daily routine and allowing oneself to be chauffeured on a new adventure.

For Martinez residents, the train offers an abundance of vacation possibilities, and an occasion to leave all the stresses associated with driving at home.

Since the California State Fair is underway though Sunday, Aug. 1, one easy and economical trip idea is to hop the train to Sacramento, stay the night on an uber-quaint riverboat or historic mansion, and take in the concerts (come on, we know you are dying to see the Village People, Eddie Money or ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic this coming week!), art displays and fair exhibitions – all included in the $12 admission price – at the annual event celebrating all things Californian.

Since Capitol Corridor is currently running a special “kids ride free on weekends” promotion and Fair general admission tickets for kids 5-12 are just $8 (children 0-4 are admitted free), it’s also a great trip choice for families on a budget.

Leave Martinez just after 10 a.m. and you’re in downtown Sacramento by 11:13 a.m. All transportation-related information can be found at www.capitolcorridor.org, and a round-trip adult ticket between Martinez and Sacramento costs $32. Seniors ride for less.

Upon arrival in the state capitol, a ten-minute walk west (right on I Street and left on Front Street) brings visitors to Old Sacramento and the charming and beautifully refurbished Delta King. 

Touted as an “authentic, historic and permanently moored riverboat,” the Delta King offers two restaurants, 44 cabins, two dinner theaters and a wine school.

Small staterooms for two start around $150, and the Delta King also offers package deals such as a night in a stateroom, two tickets for a Hornblower river cruise, hot breakfast and a $58 credit towards dinner in the Pilothouse Restaurant for $217.

For even more economical accommodations, book a private room or dorm bed at Hostelling International’s (HI) Sacramento Hostel.

Housed in the classic 1885 Llewellyn Williams mansion, the hostel offers four types of private rooms (blankets, towels and sheets provided). One with a twin bed is $55.75 a night; a room with a full-size bed and twin bunk is $71.50 a night for two, $94 for a family of three.

A private suite with a queen bed costs $71.50 - $81.50, and the River City Suite with a full-size bed and private bath is $91.50 a night.  

A comfy bed in a shared, single-sex dorm room costs $28 per night; great if you’re a solo traveler looking to meet like-minded folks, or if you just want a place to crash at night after a day full of sightseeing.

It’s worth the $28 annual members ship fee in order to stay at a discounted rate at any of HI’s 4000 hostels in 60 countries. But of course, with a train ride that is just over an hour, the most economical option is returning home to your own accommodations. 

From the Amtrak/Capitol Corridor station, it’s just a seven minute walk east on H Street to the hostel. See http://norcalhostels.org/sac for complete details and lots of activity ideas in the immediate vicinity, such as the daily walking tours and partnerships with bike rental companies.

To get to the California State Fair grounds from both the Delta King and the Sacramento Hostel, take the Light Rail to 29th Street Station, and hop on one of the many shuttle buses to Cal Expo at 1600 Exposition Blvd.

Although the California State Fair ends on August 1 (see www.bigfun.org for all details), other August events include the 25th Annual Festa Italiana on Aug. 7-8. Check out www.sacramento365.com or www.discovergold.org for many more activity ideas.

All aboard and bon voyage, Martinez!