As travel prices increase and it becomes too expensive to travel to favorite destinations, there is an option: Finding a trip “away” while still at home.

With the state of the economy as it is and the soaring costs of travel, a new buzzword has been created; a lot has been said about “stay-cations.” A hybridization of the words “stay” and “vacation,” the obvious meaning is that being of short trips near home, either one or several days at a local attraction. This new form of vacation is becoming increasingly popular.

A Night on the Town in Town
Monica Wright, a trauma nurse and mother of two, began taking “stay-cations” with her husband after their first child was born four years ago.

“We left the kids at my parents’ house and stayed at the Embassy Suites in downtown Sacramento,” she explained. “We walked over to Old Town and took the River Rat [boat] up the river where we could stop at a restaurant for dinner.”

Now a seasoned stay-cationer, Wright is very well aware of the benefits of such outings.

“We don’t want to spend all of our vacation dollars on the travel [portion],” she said. “The only expense for us is on the actual destination.”

Their most recent trip was a campout at Folsom Lake, a popular destination for many who want to lie on the beach and do a little recreational swimming or boating.

Hawaiian Hiatus
Those who can no longer afford to fly the family to the beautiful (though expensive islands) of Hawaii, but still wish to have a water-sport filled summer vacation can find an option in Folsom Lake and Lake Natomas, destinations that can be reached with less than a tank of gas.

The CSUS Aquatic Center is the perfect spot for those who don’t have their own water sports equipment. Kayaks, canoes, sailboats and windsurfing boards can all be rented from the aquatic center. Classes are also offered in all of the above activities as well as in water skiing, wakeboarding and jet skiing. There is also a beautiful sandy beach behind the aquatic center and shaded picnic tables for a barbecue.

“I always go kayaking,” explained Marcia Maurer of Fair Oaks as she waited in line at the rental desk. “I’m a really bad Kayaker, but I enjoy it. It’s nice to have a break from the house and it’s easy and affordable.”

Broadway Without the Bucks
For those who are drawn to more sophisticated “stay-cations” but can’t afford to travel to Broadway, Las Vegas or Ashland, Ore., there are several wonderful theaters in the area that put on incredibly professional performances that are entertaining and enjoyable. The longstanding Music Circus productions are always an option, but if you are looking for a more affordable and intimate theatre setting, the Sacramento area is full of community theaters.

“Many people have misconceptions of dinner theater; they may associate dinner theaters with a more dated and serious production,” said Mark Ferreira, co-owner of Garbeau’s Dinner Theater for the past year.

He explained that they have worked very hard at creating a fun and fresh feel to the theater. They also have a comedy club the first Tuesday of every month that “is growing every month.”

“We’re putting on more dynamic productions that appeal to a wider demographic, we’ve completely modernized it,” he added. “People leave [the theatre] more energized than they come in.”

Garbeau’s Dinner theater is also conveniently located right across the freeway from the CSUS Aquatic Center, which could mean a very exciting weekend for stay-cationers.

Other small theaters in the Sacramento area include Runaway Stage Theater, located on 24th street, which produces incredibly professional productions of very popular musicals; the Magic Circle Theatre in Roseville, which offers a variety of musical and non-musical productions at their two Vernon Street theatres; The B Street Theater where newer and less well-known plays are presented; and the Summertime Shakespeare in the Park in William Land Park for fans of the Bard.

Historic Heartland
History buffs can indulge in their favorite pasttime without having to fly across the country to New England or across the world to Europe. Living in the middle of the beautiful gold country, Sacramentans have the wonderful opportunity to rediscover local roots and see the trails of California Gold Rush history. One very popular location to witness this history is Nevada City.

“It’s a beautiful place to visit. There’s a lot of great history there,” said former resident Patsy Cooper. “The second week of August [the county puts on] one of the top ten county fairs in the state.”

The Empire Mine is open to visitors and a few miles south on Highway 49, visitors can spend a day exploring Coloma, the site where gold was first discovered in California. A number of bed and breakfasts, art and antique stores can be explored along the way.

Nix Napa
Wine tasting can be great fun, but the drive to Napa may just break the bank for some. Yet, on only a quarter of a tank of gas, one could drive up to Placer County and Apple Hill to visit great wineries, bed and breakfasts and spas. A peek in at the Madrona vineyards revealed a number of patrons on a warm summer Sunday afternoon enjoying the wines and camaraderie of fellow day travelers. Amador County also offers a great number of wineries along its scenic winding roads.

With so many wonderful opportunities in the area, Sacramentans can count on “stay-cations” to provide great fun this summer while holding the line on spending.

Where is your favorite place to go at home? Email . For a list of local theatres, visit www.SacUnion.com.