Jo Smith Nature Trail, Arden Creek, Sacramento

I walked this short (about 1 mile each way) hike in mid-August.

It's a sweet, well maintained, urban hard packed dirt trail, weaving behind houses, but seemingly miles from anywhere. You can't see any sign of houses apart from a glimpse of a wall here and there behind the vegetation. It runs besides a little creek and goes by a small area with horses. It's woody and quite an amazing little find in the middle of this urban area. There's barely any traffic noise and only rare glimpses of urban life. A great way to escape in the middle of the city.

It's popular but hardly crowded. Worth a visit if you're in the area and dying for a quick nature walk.

http://www.arcadecreekrecreation.com/parks/arcade-creek-nature-area-jo-smith-nature-trail/