Labor Day Weekend has arrived! That’s why this month’s newsletter is dedicated to weekend events, getaways, and local happenings in and around Northern California. So whether you feel like kicking back and relaxing at home or treating yourself to an epic day trip with family and friends, we have some fun ideas on how you can “live your best life” this Labor Day Weekend!

You don’t have to leave town to enjoy the weekend… Below are some fun ways to kick off this holiday weekend in and around the Sacramento area!

32nd Annual Chalk It Up! Chalk Art and Music Festival: The Chalk It Up! Chalk Art and Music Festival is a three-day celebration of local artists and the arts community in Sacramento. In this family-friendly event, artists turn the sidewalks around Fremont Park into works of art with chalk. The event also features live music and local food vendors along with a 21-and-over beer garden at the park on Q Street in midtown Sacramento. The event is free and takes place from September 3rd through the 5th from 10 am to 6 pm.

Van Gogh Exhibit in West Sacramento: The Immersive Experience: Have you ever dreamt of stepping into a painting? Take an awe-inspiring journey into the incomparable universe of Van Gogh, one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the 19th century. Explore his life, his work, and his secrets as never before through cutting-edge 360-degree digital projections, a one-of-a-kind VR experience, and a uniquely atmospheric light and sound show. The Sacramento exhibit even offers Yoga classes so that you can relax and unwind one breath at a time while admiring Van Gogh’s best work. Book your experience here.

National Cinema Day: Movie theaters across the country and the Sacramento area are participating in the newly launched “National Cinema Day.” Moviegoers will be able to watch a movie at participating theaters for just $3 for every showing in every format throughout the day. Click here to see which Sacramento-area movie are offering $3 movie tickets.

FoodieLand Night Market: FoodieLand Night Market is another family-friendly event that takes place over four days at Cal Expo. This event features 150 vendors with a variety of foods, arts, crafts, games and entertainment. Admission for this event is $5 and children 5 and under are admitted for free. The event begins on September 2nd at 3 pm until 10 pm. From September 3rd through the 5th, the event’s hours are from 1 pm to 8 pm. Click here to purchase tickets.

Sac Anime: The SAFE Credit Union Convention Center will host the annual Sac Anime event from Friday, September 2nd to Sunday, September 4th. This event will feature panels, video game exhibits, and an array of vendors on site selling clothing, books videos and more. The hours of the convention’s first day is 12 pm to 11 pm, followed by 10 am to 11 pm the next day and 10 am and 6 pm on the final day. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at sacanime.com.

Wanna get away? This Labor Day Weekend is the perfect opportunity to venture out and take a fun day (or weekend) trip. The great thing about Sacramento is its close proximity to places including the foothills, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley Wine Region. So if you’ve found yourself daydreaming about getting away, consider escaping the heat and treating yourself to an exciting outing!

Apple Hill: Apple Hill is officially open for business! Founded in 1964 with just 16 apple ranches, Apple Hill has grown to include over 50 unique fruit and veggie farms, wineries, B&Bs, flower gardens, Christmas tree farms, and even a day spa. Get your first taste of fall by relaxing at Ponderosa Bed & Breakfast and going apple picking, visiting High Hill Ranch for fishing, pony rides and a delicious slice of pie, or grabbing an award-winning hard cider at North Canyon Cider Company. The best part? September is known to be less crowded so it’s a great time to visit. Check out the remaining Apple Hill destinations here!

Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe is the perfect escape from the summer heat with its wide array of recreational activities including boating, water sports and hiking in the summer, and skiing and snowboarding in the winter. They also have fantastic restaurants, concert venues, and shopping! Take a look at some of the local events taking place this weekend by checking out their “Labor Day Lake Tahoe Guide”. This local guide is also a helpful resource when planning your weekend.

Napa Valley: What better way to celebrate the long weekend than by taking a quick trip to Napa and enjoying a nice cold glass of wine, exceptional cuisine and mesmerizing views of vineyards…because “wine not”? Take a ride on the Napa Valley wine train and soak in breathtaking landscapes, soar above the clouds (and heat) in a hot air balloon, enjoy a culinary experience at one of their many award-winning restaurants or visit one of their 460+ wineries. Click here for a list of weekend events and here for lodging accommodations.

Summer isn’t over just yet…and this weekend is the perfect excuse to fire up the grill and cook up some summer favorites! Savor the end of summer by trying one of these classics to make this your best cookout yet.

1. Labor Day Burger: Dubbed “The Labor Day Burger”, this mouth-watering burger is packed with extra flavor and punch! A juicy patty, crispy bacon, avocado, pepper flakes, and melted cheddar cheese all come together to create this delicious main. Get the recipe here.
2. Goat Cheese & Cherry Caprese: Make your summer plate a little lighter (and more colorful) with this gorgeous and easy to assemble salad packed with heirloom tomatoes and fresh goat cheese, and drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Learn how to make it here.
3. Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries: A burger is not complete without some crispy fries to accompany the meal. Up your fry game with these unbelievably crispy low carb zucchini fries! Try out the recipe here.
4. Ice Cream S’mores: Believe us when we say this recipe will have you asking for “s’more”… Putting its own unique twist on traditional s’mores, this recipe adds a little something extra with melted chocolate and ice cream creating a cookie-like s’more. The best part? You won’t have to stand around a hot campfire…Get the recipe here.

While the temperatures may be soaring, the Sacramento housing market continues to cool off. According to the Sacramento Association of Realtors, July sales in Sacramento dropped 31% compared to 2021. When compared to June of last month, sales marked 1,081, a 17.5% decrease (1,310). The median sales price also decreased 1.8% from $560,000 to $549,000 when compared to June, while listing inventory increased 12%, from 2,237 units to 2,505 units. Moreover, the months of available inventory continue to creep up from 1.7 months in June to 2.3 months in July. Median days on market increased from 8 to 11, and average days on market increased from 14 to 19.

So what does this mean for buyers? While rates are still adjusting, we are seeing more opportunities for qualified buyers due to a steady rise in both inventory and average days on market.