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Hi Cyrus I would recommend Jenkinson lake. It is a little more than an hour drive from Sacramento (Hwy 50 to Sly Park exit), but worth the trip since you will be in a relatively large lake surrounded by trees; the elevation is about 3500 feet. I think they even have kayak rentals on the weekends. In the other direction (west) is Lake Berryessa, also nice but not as scenic as Jenkinson. Depending on where you put your kayak in, it is 1-2 hours from Sacramento. If you have a little more time and want an even more scenic place (and probably more quiet too), I like Silver lake on highway 88. It is about 7500 feet elevation and surrounded by trees and a large rocky mountain face. (The fastest way to get there is to continue from Jenkinson lake on the Mormon Emigrant trail - about 40-50 minutes; however this road is closed until the snow melts, so now you might use highway 16 to highway 88 or Omo Ranch Road). All of these lakes also have hiking trails.

Hi Cyrus, If you want to stay close to the Sac area, the most popular spot is Lake Natoma, within California State Park area with wooded bike and hiking trails all around it. You can rent kayaks at the Cal State Aquatic Center, and at a couple other state park areas (on the weekends), including Willow Creek access in Folsom and Negro Bar access in Orangevale/Folsom.

I second the suggestions that Lake Natoma and Jenkinson are great choices. Lake Natoma is right at the outskirts of the Sacramento area in Folsom/Orangevale area and is a quick trip if time is short for you. If you're ok with an hour's drive I'd also suggest Lake Clementine in Auburn/Foresthill area as well as Rollins Reservoir. If you're feeling adventurous I would also suggest Stumpy Meadows and Oxbow Reservoir. Icehouse has always been one of my favorites but it's a fair clip farther up US 50 (nearly to Tahoe) than Jenkinson. I used to go up the creek at the back of Icehouse a mile or two and relax in the natural pools.

Thanks everyone. I will rent kayaks from Beale Airforce Base; is there any top suggestion close to Yuba City?

If you want to be south of Sacramento, past Elk Grove but north of Lodi, there is the Cosumnes River which can be kayaked. It's surrounded by wetlands/preserve so it's part of the migration route for many species of birds including the annual Sandhill Crane. There is also a 3 mile trek or a 1 mile handicap accessible circuit. There is also an educational nature center.