With summer approaching and families starting to make plans, ABC10 wanted to look into how you can save money and help make planning a little easier.
In a day and age where children as young as toddlers have smartphones and iPads, you may not think of a library as a place kids still want to go.
Amanda Foulk is a K-12 specialist with Sacramento Public Library. Her job is to reach out to to families and schools and to help them utilize the resources at the libraries.
"[Kids] are still engaging with content and information, it just looks different," Foulk said. "Whatever form those take. Maybe it used to be just a book."
Of course, books will always be available at the library, but now can also access e-Books, audiobooks, and stream videos from your smartphones and tablets.
"[You can] stream a video from line, waiting for your coffee...download a magazine to read for free," said Foulk.
All you need is a library card, something that's still free. It only takes about five to ten minutes.
Here are some not so obvious library card perks:
1. Passes to museums in Sacramento and even the Bay Area
2. Crocker Art Pack: Parents can check out a backpack filled a piece of art replicated from the Crocker Art Museum. Kids also get toys that are themed with the piece of art
3. Seed Libraries: You can check out seeds to plant in your garden
4. Kids Book Club: Get 15 copies of the same book for your kids and their friends
5. Library of Things: At the Arcade location, you can check out items like guitars, drawing tablets, video games, sewing machines, keyboards and drums. There can be a waiting list so make sure to sign up in advance!
Some of these new features of the library may surprise you, but one thing hasn't changed: you still have to be quiet!
Over in Land Park, the complete opposite of quiet. The Sacramento Zoo brings an experience that can't be lived through a tablet.
"While you see an exotic animal on TV, you can watch Discovery Channel...seeing one up close and in person is a completely different experience," said Tonja Candelaria, a spokesperson with the Zoo.
Especially at the Sacramento location, visitors can get the full experience in a short afternoon trip.
"Most people can visit the zoo in about two-and-a-half hours," said Candelaria. "We're on the smaller end of zoos."
The Sacramento Zoo is about four acres with 500 animals.
An annual membership starts at $40. Ninety-five dollars will cover two adults and four children for the year. That's about three visits to get your money's worth.
The membership will also get you discounts and early access to events like the Ice Cream Safari, Wine and Brew event for adults, and priority registration for Summer Zoo Camp.
"That sells out really quickly and so we do have a lot of people get memberships specifically for the Zoo Camp," said Candelaria.
The membership also includes discounts to more than 150 zoos and even museums across the country.
Here's what other season passes in Sacramento go for and which ones are worth it.
Daily pass: $32.99
Season pass: You'll automatically get a season pass to the Sacramento location with the daily pass.
How many trips to make it worth it: Only 1!
Other perks: The Sacramento season pass will get you access to the California State Fair.
For less than $10 more, you can go to all three locations in California.
2. Sunsplash
Daily pass (waterpark): $30.99
Season pass: $99.99
$89.99 if you purchase by May 1
How many trips to make it worth it: Around 3
Internet specials available.
Daily pass: $15 (1 adult, 1 child)
Season pass: $35 for lowest level membership (1 adult, 1 child)
How many trips to make it worth it: Around 2
Other perks: access to presale for Polar Express, discounts, etc
Daily pass: $4.75+ for adults & kids (changes depending on day)
Season pass: $45 for lowest level membership (2 people)
How many trips to make it worth it: Around 4
Other perks: Free guest passes, member-only nights, discounts on birthday parties, camps, events, and the gift shop.