If you enjoyed the Garden Highway, you should drive the levee road on the other side. The Old River Road is much prettier, more farms/wildlife, you can see the front of the mansions on the other side, and you can not see Natomas. The only bar is Elkhorn Station, just before you run into I-5 (at the exit just north of the airport.) Nice place to be on a warm weekend.

open space - if you enjoy trespassing to have a nice picnic on asphalt then you will miss this open space.