2023 EXPLORE SACRAMENTO | Guest and Relocation Guide
Neighborhoods Cities & Towns
Health Care & Education Parks, Trails & Waterways Arts & Culture Nearby Destinations
NOW TAKING NEW PATIENTS!
At Kids Care Dental & Orthodontics, our flossophy (get it?) is to provide the absolute best care and have fun while doing it.
We believe that no parent should have to stress about the dentist. We make it easy for you with convenient online scheduling, diligent health and safety policies, AND a fabulous staff of experts that will have your kiddo begging to come back!
At Kids Care, we don’t just care for smiles—we create them.
Connecting families to WORLD-CLASS CARE
Proud to serve our region as Sacramento’s #1 hospital
We take pride in advancing health and improving lives in new ways, here at home and beyond.
As Sacramento’s No. 1 hospital and its only nationally ranked academic medical center, we’re honored to bring together expertise, research, and innovation to understand what makes our patients unique — so our communities can be stronger and healthier.
There are many ways that we provide extraordinary care, including:
■ World-class expertise from doctors rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by patients
■ 150 specialties with nationally ranked care in heart, cancer, maternity and more
■ 17 primary care clinics from Davis and Sacramento to Auburn and Elk Grove
■ Convenient telehealth options for urgent needs and same-day video visits
■ Sacramento’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, offering early-stage clinical trials and the latest diagnosis and treatment options
■ The region’s only nationally ranked, comprehensive children’s hospital with a level I Children’s Surgery Center verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS)
■ Inland Northern California’s only level I trauma center for both adult and pediatric emergencies
■ Magnet ® designation – the nation’s highest recognition for nursing excellence
From routine check-ups to life-saving treatments, you’ll always have an expert team behind you with UC Davis Health.
Welcome to Sacramento
Whether you’re here for the weekend or forever, we know you’re going to love it. As a burgeoning metropolis, home to the state Capitol and center of California’s state government, this several-county region teems with opportunities for people doing business, dining out, engaging with the arts, enjoying the great outdoors, shopping, watching sports and much more. Sacramento’s position in the middle of the Central Valley has generated a couple of specific designations, including Farm-to-Fork Capital of America (because of the rich agricultural valley land just beyond our doorsteps) and “close to everything,” because it’s so close to so much else that makes Northern California wonderful. Sacramento has a rich Gold Rush history and a present-day vibrance that continues to grow and evolve. We’re glad you’re here. Now let’s explore!—Krista Minard, Editorial Director
Reaching Beyond Traditional Therapies
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK | 10 AM - 4 PM
Gabriel
Teague
Tim Engle
GUEST AND RELOCATION GUIDE | 2023
ON THE COVER:
About the Cover—At Dust Bowl Brewing Co, grab a beer in the city of Elk Grove, one of the region’s most vibrant and family-friendly cities. With a thriving downtown, plenty of shopping and dining and outdoor recreation options, Elk Grove has one of the area’s fastest-growing economies, with beautiful neighborhoods and lots of employment opportunities. Please see ad on pages 16–17.
Photography by Tim Engle
PUBLISHER
Dennis Rainey
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Krista Minard
ART DIRECTOR
Gabriel Teague
PROJECT ART DIRECTOR
John Facundo Jr.
EDITORIAL AND ART
MANAGING EDITOR
Darlena Belushin McKay
DINING EDITOR
Marybeth Bizjak
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Debbie Hurst
CONTRIBUTORS
Ryan Angel, Debbie Cunningham, Tim Engle, Marcus Meisler, Tyler Mussetter, Kari L. Rose Parsell, Mariah Quintanilla
ADVERTISING
ADVERTISING MANAGERS
Lisa Bonk, Du y Kelly, Victor Obenauf, Carla Shults
SENIOR ADVERTISING DESIGNER
John Facundo Jr.
MARKETING AND WEB
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND DIGITAL MEDIA
Dan Poggetti
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Stephen Rice
CIRCULATION
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Barbie Baldwin
SACRAMENTO MEDIA LLC CEO
Stefan Wanczyk PRESIDENT John Balardo
The Allergy Station delivers the highest value of care for your allergy, respiratory, and immunology needs. Our unparalleled, relationship-focused care is comprehensive, proactive, and personalized—keeping you feeling your best all year long! Dr. Travis Miller is a Board-certified Allergy/Immunology specialist, who also carried certificates in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine. As an internationally renowned thought leader with nearly 20 years’ experience, colleagues look to Dr. Miller for advice, support, and cutting-edge guidance. Come experience the difference!
We WILL care for you.
A beautiful night descends upon downtown Sacramento.
Tyler Mussetter
Pleased To Meet You!
Now that you’re here, you’ve probably already noticed that our fair city is also a friendly one. Our residents love to show off our region, and there’s good reason for that: Under our wide-open Central Valley skies, opportunities abound for recreation, entertainment, dining and nightlife. But although it may seem so, we’re not all play all the time. There’s serious opportunity in our growing region for career-minded folks. After all, Sacramento history claims commerce at its core.
Th e city was settled as a supply center for gold prospectors who came from around the globe to make their fortunes along the American River (where gold was discovered in Coloma, just east of Sacramento, in 1848). The city sprang up at the intersection of the American and Sacramento rivers (now the Old Sacramento Waterfront), and over the co urse of the second half of the 19th century, it withstood floods and fire to become a thriving commercial and railroad hub—and California’s capital. Now Sacramento is the capital city of the fifth-largest economy in the world, so it’s an attractive location to start or grow a business. A robust workforce, ethnic diversity and seismic stability make it one of the most livable cities in the nation. And the region has surged in prominence since Golden 1 Center, the $558 million arena, debuted in 2016. The
“greenest” and most technologically advanced arena in the world is home to the Sacramento Kings, our city’s NBA team, and it also hosts a plethora of high-profile concerts an d events.
Sacramento has burgeoned into a hip metropolis with a vibrant cultural scene replete with theater, music and dance. Two of the newer annual offerings are Aftershock—a four-day extravaganza of hard rock and heavy metal bands—and GoldenSky, which features top country music acts. Both festivals take place at Discovery Park. You’ll also find literary readings, comedy shows and lots of community events. And artworks painted during the Wide Open Walls mural festival have splashed color throughout the city.
Sacramento offers much for families and recreationalists in the way of year-round outdoor activities, too. With several regional parks, including McKinley and William Land, golf co urses and gathering spots along the American and Sacramento rivers, the area draws people who love the great outdoors. One local gem: the 32-mile American River Bike Trail, which runs from Old Sacramento to Folsom and beckons not just cyclists but runners, walkers and others who just want to explore along the banks of the river. Cool off at Folsom Lake, where miles of trails wind into the foothills, or Lake Natoma—home of Sacramento State Aquatic Center.
The region’s other river, the Sacramento, provides prime boating conditions.
Ca tch a game while you’re here: The Sacramento Kings play at Golden 1 Center; the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate, th e Sacramento River Cats, play baseball at Sutter Health Park; and at Cal Expo’s Heart Health Park, the Sacramento Republic FC puts on a rousing soccer match.
As you delve into our region’s offerings, you can feast at some of the many dining spots that use the freshest and most local California ingredients. Many of them have extended their alfresco options. The region’s designation as the Farmto-Fork Capital of America celebrates its position among some of th e greatest agricultural producers in the world. Very few places offer a similar bounty to Sacramento’s, thanks to our Mediterranean climate. From the verdant fields of the Capay Valley just north of town to the apple orchards of El Dorado County east of it, the region produces an admirable array of fruits, vegetables, livestock and other foodstuffs, and chefs and farmers see each other as partners in what turns up on restaurant plates. Farm-to-fork encompasses everything from the vine-ripened tomatoes in your Caprese salad to the craft cocktails (alcoholic and nonalcoholic) that you sip at local bars. So enjoy! We’re glad you’re here.
Welcome to Elk Grove!
Whether you’re relocating for work, settling down with your family or moving just for a change of scenery, you’ll find something for everyone in the city of Elk Grove.
It’s a family-oriented community known for its award-winning school district, a diverse culinary scene, dozens of beautiful parks, a prosperous business community, promising careers and much more. Just 20 minutes from Sacramento with easy access to two major freeways, the Sacramento Airport International Airport, the Port of West Sacramento and with Amtrak service nearby, Elk Grove is an ideal homebase that makes it easy to explore all that Northern California has to offer.
Things To Do
Family Friendly
Elk Grove is a great place to grow up! The city provides plenty of opportunities for action and adventure for the whole family. Sports leagues, state-of-the-art facilities and a variety of businesses that cater to families make the community a safe spot for growth, learning and making friends.
Elk Grove’s vibrant community provides an abundance of activities, including shopping, dining, arts & culture, local events and festivals, outdoor adventure and plenty of diverse options for keeping busy.
Taste Your Way Through Elk Grove
Elk Grove is an up-and-coming location for some of the state’s boutique wineries and microbreweries. Whet your palate and indulge in the local hops and spirits with the Elk Grove Beer & Wine Trail Pass. We promise, it’s a great way to meet people and explore your new city. Get your pass today at CorksandCaps.org!
NATOMAS -
1,394 to 2,298 sq. ft.
Close to Downtown Sacramento Off E. Commerce / Near Del Paso
From the $400s 916.496.4074
RESCUE - REVERE
1/4 - 3/4 ACRE HOMESITES
2,526 to 3,457 sq. ft.
Single and Two-Story Homes | Pool-Sized Lots
Near Green Valley Rd. & Silver Springs Pkwy
From the $900s 530.771.7369
RESCUE - OAKHAVEN
BETHEL ISLAND - DELTA COVES LIVE ON THE WATER
1,864 to 2,286 sq. ft.
Every Home has a Boat Dock Off Bethel Island Rd. & Gateway Rd.
From the $1 millions 707.317.3927
1,873
Only 33 Homes | Top Rated Schools Near Eureka & Auburn-Folsom
WINERIES
BEAR RIVER WINERY & DISTILLERY bearriverwinery.com
BONITATA BOUTIQUE WINE bonitataboutiquewine.com
CANTE AO VINHO canteaovinho.com
CASQUE WINES casquewines.com
CIOTTI CELLARS ciotticellars.com
CRISTALDI VINEYARDS cristaldivineyards.com
DAVIS DEAN CELLARS davisdeancellars.com
DONO DAL CIELO WINERY donodalcielo.com
DORA DAIN WINES doradainwines.com
HAPPY DAYZ VINEYARD happydayzvineyard.com
HILL TOP OAKS WINERY htowine.com
LONE BUFFALO VINEYARDS lonebuffalovineyards.com
MT. VERNON WINERY mtvernonwinery.com
BREWERIES
MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH WINES TASTING ROOM mountsaintjosephwines.com
Sacramento Valley Station 401 I St., Sacramento, (877) 9743322, amtrak.com/stations/sac
Open daily 5 a.m.–11:59 p.m.
Capitol Corridor (capitolcorridor. org) is an intercity passenger train system that runs daily service among 18 stations, from Auburn to San Jose, connecting the Sacramento region to the Bay Area. The 170-mile rail corridor services eight counties. A dedicated motorcoach network provides bus connections to Napa, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Marysville, South Lake Tahoe and beyond. San Joaquins (amtrak.com/san-joaquins-train) runs daily passenger service between Sacramento (or the San Francisco Bay Area) and the Central Valley, including bus connections to Yosemite National Park and between Bakersfield and Southern California.
Public Transit/Bus Service
Sacramento Regional Transit (916) 321-2877, sacrt. com
SacRT buses operate 365 days a year, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. every 12 to 60 minutes, depending on the route. Light rail trains serve 53 light rail stations starting at 4 a.m., with service every 15 minutes weekdays, 30 minutes evening/weekends. Together with SmaRT Ride (on-demand rideshare shuttles), SacRT GO (ADA paratransit services), Airport Express Bus service from downtown to the airport and Causeway Connection buses linking UC Davis sites in Sacramento and Davis, SacRT covers a 400-square-mile service area. Access mobile-optimized m.sacrt.com to plan trips and check bus and train locations in real time, including the next scheduled stop at each location. Download SacRT’s mobile fare app, ZipPass to purchase bus, light rail and SmaRT ride tickets from your smartphone, or purchase at kiosks.
• SmaRT Ride sacrt.com/apps/ smart-ride
• SacRT GO Paratransit Services sacrt.com/apps/ sacrt-go-paratransit-services
• Airport Express Bus sacrtairport.com
Access Sacramento International Airport via Airport Express Bus (Route 142) in zero-emission buses from downtown Sacramento every 60 minutes daily from 5:15 a.m.
• Causeway Connection causeway-connection.com
Zero-emission buses run hourly express service weekdays between the UC Davis Medical Center campus in Sacramento and the Silo Terminal on the UC Davis campus in Davis.
• RydeFreeRT sacrt.com/ rydefreeRT
Students (TK–12) can ride free on the entire SacRT network; pass is required.
Yolobus (530) 666-2877, yolobus.com
Intercity bus, microtransit and paratransit services in West Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, Winters and other Yolo County towns, downtown Sacramento and Sacramento International Airport. Connects with local transportation systems including Sacramento Regional Transit.
Service from Sacramento to more than 230 Greyhound stations in cities throughout the U.S.
FlixBus (855) 626-8585, flixbus.com
Budget bus service between Sacramento and numerous West Coast cities; picks up at 29th and K streets, midtown and Second and J streets, Old Sacramento
App-Based Rideshare Services
SmaRT Ride
sacrt.com/apps/smart-ride
SacRT’s on-demand microtransit rideshare shuttle takes riders curb to curb or corner to corner in zones throughout the city and suburbs; pick up and drop o within same boundaries.
Lyft lyft.com
Uber uber.com
Via Rideshare (916) 318-5101, cityofwestsacramento.org
Via contracts with city of West Sacramento to take riders throughout city for a flat rate.
Wingz wingz.me
Taxis
Access Taxi Cab & Town Car (916) 444-8888, accesstaxicabsacramento.com
Americab (916) 441-5555, americab.net
Best Deal Taxi Cab (916) 444-0404, best-deal-taxi-cab. business.site
California Co-op Cab (916) 444-7777, californiacoopcab. com
US Coachways (855) 287-2427, uscoachways.com/ sacramento-bus-rental
Car Rental
Rental car companies at Sacramento International Airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty and Zipcar. See carrentals.com, expedia.com, kayak. com, priceline.com, orbitz.com or rentalcars.com for available cars at these companies.
The Sacramento region is ready for you, whether you’re visiting for the weekend, new in town, or waiting for your perfect home to be ready. With some 16,000-plus hotel rooms in the area, we’ve got the welcome mat out. Big-name luxury, moderate-level comfort, chic downtown hot spot, historic B&B or a bargain pillow right off the freeway—you’ll find it. Here’s a select list of inns and hotels in and around downtown, near the central city action.
Call 9-1-1 (to report a fire, save a life, or report a crime in progress or just occurred)
Non-Emergency:
Sacramento Police Department (916) 8085471, cityofsacramento. org/police
Sacramento Fire Department (916) 8081300, cityofsacramento. org/fire
Sacramento County Sheriff (916) 874-5115, sacsheriff.com (events in Sacramento County only)
City Services and Utilities
Sacramento City Hall 915 I St., Sacramento, (916) 264-5011, cityofsacramento.org/city-hall
The oldest incorporated city in California, Sacramento was founded in 1849 and is run by an elected city council, consisting of a mayor and eight council members.
Sacramento Public Library
828 I St., Sacramento, 24-Hour Information on 28 Branch Locations/Hours: (916) 264-2700, Customer Service: (916) 264-2920, saclibrary.org
City of Sacramento Services
Call 311 or (916) 808-5011
– available 24/7; 311. cityofsacramento.org
Report non-emergency issues or request information about animal control, code enforcement, parking, streets, urban forestry, water, utilities and more.
County of Sacramento Health and Social Services
Call 211 or (916) 498-1000
– available 24/7; 211sacramento.org/211
Request information about essential social and health services—food, shelter, counseling, disaster relief and more.
County of Sacramento Services
Call 311 or (916) 875-4311 outside county – available 24/7; 311.saccounty.gov
Report non-emergency issues or request information about abandoned vehicles, animal control, curb repair, drains, illegal dumping, street lights and more.
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
Customer Service Center 6301 S St., Sacramento, (888) 742-7683, smud.org
As the nation’s sixth largest publicly owned, not-for-profit electric service, SMUD has been lighting up Sacramento for over 75 years. It serves 1.5 million customers in
900 square miles, boasts rates among the lowest in the state and is an industry leader in renewable power technologies. Start, stop or transfer electricity services at myaccount.smud.org.
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) 24-Hour Customer Service: (800) 743-5000; 24-Hour Power Outage Information: (800) 7435002; pge.com
PG&E provides natural gas service in Sacramento, although the company (est. 1905) provides both natural gas and electricity to 16 million customers in northern and central California. To report a suspected gas leak, leave the area and call 911, then call (800) 743-5000. Before digging on property, call 811. Manage account at m.pge.com/#login.
City of Sacramento
Department of Utilities 1395 35th Ave., Sacramento, Service Requests: (916) 264-5011, Accounts/ Billing: (916) 808-5454, cityofsacramento.org/ utilities
The city provides water, sewer and storm drainage services and manages billing for trash, recycling and yard waste services. Services appear on the same bill. Manage your account at secure8.i-doxs.net/CityofSacramento.
The county provides water, sewer, garbage/recycling and stormwater drainage services. Manage bills at Consolidated Utilities Billing and Service at sacutilities. saccounty.org.
Sacramento365—local events, arts and entertainment resource with an extensive online events calendar 1608 I St., Suite 200, Sacramento, (916) 8088642, sacramento365.com
Area Business Organizations & Chamber Information
Downtown
Sacramento
Partnership
980 Ninth St., Suite 200, Sacramento, (916) 4428575, downtownsac.org
Galt District Chamber of Commerce
604 N. Lincoln Way, Galt, (209) 745-2529, galtchamber.com
Greater Sacramento Economic Council
400 Capitol Mall, Suite 2520, Sacramento, (916) 441-2144, greatersacramento.com
Handle District (916) 765-5052, thehandledistrict.com
Midtown Association 1401 21st St., Unit A, Sacramento, (916) 442-1500, exploremidtown.org
KXPR 88.9 Capital Public Radio/Classical, Jazz, Blues, Opera
KQEI 89.3 Public Radio (KQED, San Francisco)
KVMR 89.5 Community Radio/Variety, Nevada County
KDVS 90.3 Non-commercial/Eclectic/College, UC Davis
KXJZ 90.9 Capital Public Radio/NPR/News
KBEB 92.5 Soft Adult Contemporary (“The Breeze”)
KFBK 93.1 News/Weather/Traffic (“NewsRadio KFBK”)
KYRV 93.7 Classic Rock (“The River”)
KKDO 94.7 Alternative Rock (“Alt 94.7”)
KYMX 96.1 Adult Contemporary (“Mix96”)
KSEG 96.9 Classic Rock (“96.9 Eagle”)
KRXQ 98.5 Rock (“98 Rock”)
KLVB 99.5 Christian Contemporary (“K-Love”)
KZZO 100.5 Hot Adult Contemporary (“Now 100.5”)
KHYL 101.1 Classic HipHop (“V101.1 – Sacramento’s #1 for Throwbacks”)
KCCL 101.5 Classic Hits (“101.5 K-Hits”)
KHHM 101.9 Global Latin Urban/Hot Hits (“Radio Fuego”)
KSFM 102.5 Rhythmic Contemporary Hits Radio
KNTY 103.5 Classic Country (“Real Country 103.5”)
KKFS 103.9 Contemporary Christian (“The Fish”)
KNCI 105.1 Country (“New Country 105.1 KNCI”)
KSAC 105.5 Business (“Money 105.5”)
KUDL 106.5 Top 40/ Contemporary Hits Radio (“106.5 The End”)
K296GB 107.1 New Country (“The Bull”)
KZIS 107.9 Hot Adult Contemporary (“KISS 107.9”)
TV Stations
KCRA 3 NBC “KCRA Channel 3”
KVIE 6 PBS “KVIE Channel 6”
KXTV 10 “ABC 10”
KOVR 13 “CBS 13”
KMUM-CD 15 “Telemundo Sacramento”
KUVS 19 “Univision 19”
KMAX 31 “The CW 31”
KTXL 40 “FOX 40”
KQCA 58 “My 58”
Great Place To Learn
Whether you are relocating to the region or moving to a new neighborhood across town, “How are the schools?” is a worthy question to ask—definitely if you’re a parent of school-age children, but even if kids aren’t currently in your orbit. After all, the health of schools (including colleges and universities) impacts the quality of life for everyone in a community.
So how are Sacramento-area schools?
The good news is that there are great educational options throughout the Sacramento region—from nurturing neighborhood elementary schools to high schools whose academic programs consistently send students to the best colleges and universities. Sacramento also is home to an array of options when it comes to PreK–12 education: myriad charter, magnet and religious-affiliated schools, schools with dual-language immersion and International Baccalaureate programs, and public and private schools offering Montessori and Waldorf educations. You’ll find Sacramento-area educational options well-represented on niche.com, which reviews and ranks schools—PreK–12 to university and beyond—using an informative range of metrics.
Major School Districts Within Sacramento County
Elk Grove Unified School District (PreK–12) 9510 Elk Grove-Florin Road, Elk Grove, (916) 686-7700, egusd.net
Folsom Cordova Unified School District (TK–12) 1965 Birkmont Drive, Rancho Cordova, (916) 294-9000, fcusd.org
Natomas Unified School District (TK–12) 1901 Arena Blvd., Sacramento, (916) 5675400, natomasunified.org
Sacramento City Unified School District (TK–12) 5735 47th Ave., Sacramento, (916) 6437400, scusd.edu
San Juan Unified School District (TK–12) 3738 Walnut Ave., Carmichael, (916) 9717700, sanjuan.edu
Twin Rivers Unified School District (TK–12) 5115 Dudley Blvd., McClellan, (916) 566-1600, twinriversusd.org
Major School Districts Adjacent to Sacramento County
Buckeye Union School District (TK–8) 5049
Robert J. Mathews Parkway, El Dorado Hills, (530) 677-2261, buckeyeusd.org
Davis Joint Unified School District (TK–12) 526 B St., Davis, (530) 757-5300, djusd.net
Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District (TK–8) 8849
El Dorado Union High School District (9–12) 4675 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville, (530) 6225081, eduhsd.k12.ca.us
Eureka Union School District (TK–8) 5455
Eureka Road, Granite Bay, (916) 791-4939, eurekausd.org
Rocklin Unified School District (TK–12) 2615 Sierra Meadows Drive, Rocklin, (916) 624-2428, rocklinusd.org
Roseville City School District (TK-8) 1050 Main St., Roseville, (916) 771-1600, rcsdk8.org
Roseville Joint Union High School District (9–12) 1750 Cirby Way, Roseville, (916) 786-2051, rjuhsd.us
Washington Unified School District (TK–12) 930 Westacre Road, West Sacramento, (916) 3757600, wusd.k12.ca.us
These public high schools get top marks for academics, Advanced Placement courses and scores, high graduation and college admission rates, and (for some) outstanding programs in sports or the arts:
C.K. McClatchy High School / Humanities and International Studies Program, Visual and Performing Arts Program
Davis Senior High School 315 W. 14th St., Davis, (530) 757-5400, dshs.djusd.net
Folsom High School 1655 Iron Point Road, Folsom, (916) 294-2400, fcusd.org/fhs
Granite Bay High School 1 Grizzly Way, Granite Bay, (916) 7868676, rjuhsd.us/granitebay
Mira Loma High School / International Baccalaureate Program 4000 Edison Ave., Sacramento, (916) 971-7465, sanjuan.edu/ miraloma
Natomas Charter School / Performing and Fine Arts Academy (6-12) 4600 Blackrock Drive, Sacramento, (916) 928-5353, pfaa. natomascharter.org
Pleasant Grove High School 9531 Bond Road, Elk Grove, (916) 6860230, pghs.egusd.net
West Campus High School 5022 58th St., Sacramento, (916) 395-5170, westcampus. scusd.edu
Vista del Lago High School 1970 Broadstone Parkway, Folsom, (916) 294-2410, fcusd.org/vdlhs
These top-rated private schools draw high school students from throughout the region:
Al-Arqam Islamic School and College Preparatory (PreK–12, College Prep, Islamic, Coed) 6990 65th St., Sacramento, (916) 391-3333, alarqamislamicschool.org
Christian Brothers High School (College Prep, Catholic, Coed) 4315 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Sacramento, (916) 733-3600, cbhssacramento.org
Jesuit High School (College Prep, Catholic, Boys) 4660 Fair Oaks Blvd., Sacramento, (916) 4826060, jesuithighschool.org
St. Francis Catholic High School (College Prep, Catholic, Girls) 5900 Elvas Ave., Sacramento, (916) 4523461, stfrancishs.org
Sacramento Country Day School (PreK–12, College Prep, Independent, Coed) 2636 Latham Dr., Sacramento, (916) 4818811, saccds.org
Sacramento Waldorf School (PreK–12, College Prep, Waldorf, Coed) 3750 Bannister Road, Fair Oaks, (916) 9613900, sacwaldorf.org
The Sacramento region is home to several community colleges, a California State University, a University of California, top-ranked vet and medical schools, a prestigious law school and more.
Los Rios Community College District 1919 Spanos Court, Sacramento, (916) 5683041, losrios.edu
Four campuses—American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College and Sacramento City College—plus six outreach centers serve 70,000 students, offering degree, transfer and certificate programs.
Sierra College
5100 Sierra College Blvd., Rocklin, (916) 624-3333, sierracollege.edu
Two-year community college with campuses and centers in Rocklin, Roseville, Grass Valley and Tahoe-Truckee.
William Jessup University
2121 University Ave., Rocklin, (916) 577-2200, jessup.edu
Evangelical Christian university serves about 1,700 undergraduate and graduate students on 125 suburban acres.
Sacramento State (California State University, Sacramento) 6000 J St., Sacramento, (916) 278-6011, csus.edu
One of the most diverse campuses in the West, “Sac State” serves 31,500 undergraduate and graduate students.
University of California, Davis One Shields Ave., UC Davis campus, Davis, (530) 752-1011, ucdavis. edu
Ranked first in the nation for agriculture and forestry (2022, Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings) and fifth among public U.S. universities (2022, Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education), this Tier 1 research university is third largest of UC system, serving over 39,000 undergraduate, graduate and health science students. It has professional schools in education, law, management, nursing, veterinary medicine (#1 in U.S.) and medicine.
Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing 2570 48th St., Sacramento, (916) 734-2154, health. ucdavis.edu/nursing UC Davis School of Medicine 4610 X St., Sacramento, (916) 7344110, health.ucdavis.edu/ medschool
University of the Pacific, Sacramento Campus 3200 Fifth Ave., Sacramento, (916) 739-7105, pacific.edu/ sacramento-campus Stockton-based UOP offers graduate and professional degrees in Sacramento at McGeorge School of Law, School of Health Sciences and Benerd College.
— California Association of Independent Schools, Accreditation Team
Founded in 1963, St. Michael’s is a fully-accredited, independent school that prides itself on personalized learning and small class sizes for preschool, elementary and middle school students. As one of Northern California’s top private schools, our mission is to inspire students to think critically, act responsibly, lead compassionately and innovate wisely.
Our dedicated teachers discover and nurture the gifts of each child, guiding them to reach their full potential through a customized learning approach that honors students as individuals. St. Michael's is widely known for academic excellence, thorough preparation and stellar high school and college placement. Students experience a balanced educational journey as we integrate academics, athletics, art, music, leadership and hands-on learning in our beautiful campus garden. Our parent engagement is exceptional, with countless opportunities to experience the campus learning environment and connect with other families to foster lifelong friendships.
We welcome you to visit our campus! To schedule a tour or attend an Open House event, please contact admissionsteam@smeds.com, call or visit smeds.net. We are now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year.
Dedicated to Your Health
From the top of your head to the soles of your feet, your healthy body is the priority of our region’s medical professionals. Sacramento is home to many independent practitioners as well as the four major medical groups highlighted here.
Dignity Health’s mission is rooted in the compassion of the Sisters of Mercy, a group founded in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. Several of the Sisters arrived in San Francisco in 1854 to care for the city’s residents. The organization grew and in 2012 changed its name to Dignity Health. Dignity blankets our region with six hospitals: Mercy General Hospital, Mercy Hospital of Folsom, Mercy San Juan Medical Center, Methodist Hospital of Sacramento, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital and Woodland Memorial Hospital. dignityhealth.org
Kaiser Permanente provides high-quality, affordable health-care services to uplift whole communities by promoting health rather than
solely treating illnesses. The organization focuses on access to care and coverage; community and family safety; economic security; and mental health and wellness. Kaiser’s 24/7 advice line streamlines service for members seeking to schedule appointments, receive treatment advice or locate the nearest urgent care. thrive. kaiserpermanente.org
Sutter Health is a not-for-profit network whose hospitals serve more of the Medi-Cal patient population in Northern California than any other health system. This integrated network has created a model of care that strives to be accessible to all, including the region’s diverse communities. Sutter Medical Center, Sacramen-
to is centrally located in midtown and houses facilities that include the Ose Adams Medical Pavilion and Anderson Lucchetti Women’s & Children’s Center. sutterhealth.org
UC Davis Health has the expertise, discoveries and technology of a world-class university behind it. The UC Davis Medical Center, located in Sacramento, is a leading referral center for medically complex cases and the most seriously ill or injured patients. It’s the only Level 1 trauma center for adult and pediatric emergencies in inland Northern California. UC Davis is also renowned for its MIND Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center and Institute for Regenerative Cures. health.ucdavis.edu
Things To Do in Sacramento
It’s time for some sunshine, shows, sports and socializing.
The sun goes down over the Old Sacramento Waterfront
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Visit the Old Sacramento Waterfront. The historic district is known for its boarded sidewalks, museums, shopping and dining, and also its newer attractions, such as the Waterfront Wheel (a 65-foot Ferris wheel) and the Front Street Carousel. There’s also a water experience for everyone— slow and easy via City Cruises (formerly Hornblower), at a thrilling clip on Sacramento Jetboats, or by pedal power on a Sac Brew Boat.
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Enjoy o erings fresh from a farmers market.
The Sacramento region contains about 1.5 million acres of farmland and 8,000 acres of boutique farms, earning its status as America’s Farm-toFork Capital. In the summertime, the farms kick into high gear, delivering a huge variety of produce at its biggest and best. Take advantage of this freshness boon—and support local growers.
The Sacramento region has more than 40 farmers markets. Some are open year-round. Others open in mid-spring and close in mid-fall. But during the summer, they’re all open for business, and it’s boom, boom, booming.
Of course, you’ll find much more than just fruits and vegetables. You’ll likely also come across goodies like artisanal cheeses and honeys, baked goods, herbs, flowers, locally ranched meats and locally caught fish. Some, like the Oak Park Farmers Market, feature live music or kids’ activities like storytelling, face painting or art making. california-grown.com.
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See a film at the Crest Theatre. The beautifully lavish art-deco Crest has the same story as many K Street traditions: It was great, then it wasn’t, there were renovations and re-imaginings, and now it’s cooler than it’s ever been. Having undergone an extensive modernization project a few
years ago, the Crest has been fully restored as the heirloom crown jewel of the downtown district. Catch a screening of an old-time favorite like “Singin’ in the Rain” (shown seasonally). crestsacramento.com
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Cheer for a sports team. Fans of the Sacramento Kings basketball team have been through a lot together (see: the early ’90s, 2013 and the Maloofs), and perhaps nothing signifies the pride of that NBA journey quite like ringing an engraved cowbell at Golden 1 Center. Catch a game between October and mid-April. nba.com/kings
At a Sacramento River Cats baseball game, you’ll find a fully loaded kids’ zone and an unbeatable view of the sunset. You’ll have plenty of reasons to raise your glass and cheer with your fellow Sutter Health Park revelers for the Giants Triple-A a liate baseball team. Games take place April through September. rivercats.com
still find cows in the center of town. The California State Fair & Food Festival hosts an animal education center as well as a petting zoo, so when you chase a corn dog with a funnel cake and call it dinner, you can chalk up your appetite to all that manual labor on the makeshift farm. castatefair.org
6Walk, run or bike the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail. Also known as the American River Trail, it runs 32 miles along the American River, connecting a string of public spaces including Sutter’s Landing Park, Paradise Beach, William B. Pond Recreation Area, River Bend Park and Beals Point at Folsom Lake. Each spot has its own highlights, from the salmon ladders at Nimbus Fish Hatchery to the archery range at Discovery Park and the creature comforts of Old Sacramento.
By taking an Old Sacramento Underground Tour you’ll learn how Sacramento was literally raised out of flood danger. A colorful cast of guides take you underground, through hollowed-out sidewalks and sloped alleyways. sachistorymuseum.org
Hop on your bike or rent a Lime bike for California Gold Rush: The Sacramento Grid by Bicycle, a two-hour audio tour led by storyteller Marc Christensen. Departing and ending on the west side (10th Street) of the State Capitol, the tour stops at various sites that describe the state’s founding and Gold Rush. voicemap.me (search “Sacramento grid by bicycle”)
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If you think professional soccer is just for Europeans, you’ve never been to a football match in the States. And if you think Americans only get excited for American football (as opposed to the football we know as soccer), you’ve never witnessed the Tower Bridge Battalion at a Sacramento Republic FC match at Heart Health Park. This group of crazed fans is on their feet, chanting in unison and waving custom flags and banners at each and every match. The season runs March through October. tbbattalion.com
5Meet the animals of the California State Fair & Food Festival, and eat some fried food, too. People used to call Sacramento a cow town, and while the expanding downtown skyline laughs at the city’s former reputation, for 17 days you can
The Jedediah Smith is one of the longest paved trails in the country. If you’re on a bike, you can ride just long enough to justify a destination reward. But the trail has plenty of room for everyone. Families and couples abound on both wheels and sneakers. regionalparks. saccounty.net
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Take a tour in the city. You might not know that the late Bishop Alphonse Gallegos was a lowrider fan or that 30 movie theaters were built on J, K and L streets between 1922 and 1932. These fun facts are some of the many nuggets of knowledge you’ll gain on a Local Roots Food Tour. The walking tours, in midtown, R Street, downtown and the Sutter District, are led by savvy guides and blend bits of Sacramento history and popular culture with samples of food from area restaurants and stops at locally owned shops. localrootsfoodtours.com
Visit the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether for religious reverence (it’s the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento) or architectural reverence (construction started in 1887, and the building is one of the largest cathedrals west of the Mississippi River), the cathedral holds a special place in the hearts of many Sacramentans. Mass is held seven days a week, guided tours are o ered on Sundays, and video-assisted self-guided tours are available. cathedralsacramento.org
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Check deck where you
Say hello to exotic animals at Sacramento Zoo. Some animal lovers have mixed feeling about zoos. But seeing animals from faraway places is fun. It stirs the imagination. It promotes conversation. Kids love it. And the very best time to go to Sacramento Zoo (3930 W. Land Park Drive) is first thing in the morning when the critters are waking up. So get up early and go hang with the coolest vertebrates when they’re active. Check out the viewing deck where you can meet gira es eye-
Tim Engle
Tim Engle
to-eye. And the big-cat exhibits are always a crowd-pleaser. saczoo.org
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Peruse the artifacts at a local museum. The world-class California State Railroad Museum is the largest of its kind in North America, boasting 19 steam locomotives and telling the story of the Transcontinental Railroad, which was completed only yards from the museum’s entrance. With more than 225,000 square feet of space for exhibits with trains that kids (and adults) can climb aboard and peek inside of, storyboards detailing railroad history (such as Abraham Lincoln’s influence over the Union Pacific Railroad and the Pullman strike of 1894) and current events (high-speed rail), the museum o ers a full day of entertainment and education. californiarailroad.museum
Specimen 12038,7,” a clear, acrylic resin sculpture modeled after a moon rock brought back from the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, and “Cathedral,” a 25-foot homage to California’s forested landscape. safecreditunionconventioncenter.com
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Also well worth a visit are the California Museum, Sacramento History Museum, Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum and others. sacmuseums.org
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See a show at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. The newly renovated performing arts center boasts a new L Street entryway, activity plaza north of the theater, enhanced accessibility, new AV and lighting systems and larger concessions areas, among other enhancements. It’s home to Broadway Sacramento’s Broadway on Tour series, Sacramento Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” and the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, among other local arts groups. While there, take a minute to see the diverse art installations—including “Lunar
Get out on the river. Sometimes it’s fun to be on the water looking back at the shore instead of the other way around. American River Raft Rentals has been a Sacramento staple for water cannon-toting rafting enthusiasts since 1974. Rafters flock to the American River for the three- to four-hour floats starting at the Sunrise Bridge and down to River Bend Park, a mostly easy, family-friendly ride with a little thrill through the San Juan Rapids. Happily, because of the need to keep saltwater out of the Delta to protect fish flows, enough water is released from the upstream dams to accommodate recreational use, even in times of drought. Expect myriad wildlife sightings and maybe even an all-out water cannon fight among rafts. raftrentals.com
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View art at Crocker Art Museum. The museum permanently houses more than 15,000 works of art. World renowned for its collection of California art and European master drawings, the museum also o ers a diverse spectrum of exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections, including films, concerts, studio classes, lectures, children’s activities and more. While you’re there, check out “Portrait of My Father,” a large-scale acrylic-on-canvas painting, which artist Stephen Kaltenbach completed over seven years. crockerart.org
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Listen to music in the park. Free, live music extravaganzas transform Cesar Chavez Park into Friday-night dance parties. Concerts in the Park, presented by the Downtown Partnership, fills the vast block at 9th and J streets from 5 to 9 p.m. from May through July with the amplified sounds of local artists—think Nate Curry, Arden Park Roots and Camilla Covington—and national bands, as well as DJs. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the longest-running outdoor music festival in the city. godowntownsac.com/CIP
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Experience Wide Open Walls. Once a year, artists come from all over the world to join local artists in creating murals throughout Sacramento. This Sacramento festival was founded in 2016 to activate buildings and alleyways throughout the city. Among the many interesting o erings: At 1730 12th St. downtown, Jeks Mural memorialized notable Sacramentans Levar Burton, Joan Didion, Russ Solomon and Wayne Thiebaud. wideopenwalls.com
Courtesy of Wide Open Walls
Gabriel Teague
cannon-toting
Tim Engle
Artist Kristin Farr painting her mural for Wide Open Walls in the alley of J and Sixth streets, DOCO
The Sacramento region spans several counties and includes a vibrant downtown core, suburban communities and several smaller cities on the outskirts. Let’s take a tour of some of the area’s most-desired neighborhoods.
DOWNTOWN
Until not too long ago, downtown Sacramento was largely known for being the center of state government. (The State Capitol is located there, along with a number of state agency buildings.) But Golden 1 Center changed all that. The $558 million sports and entertainment arena, which opened to great acclaim in late 2016, has provided downtown with a massive boost of energy and excitement. The Sacramento Kings basketball team plays all its home games there, and the arena attracts top-caliber entertainers such as Andrea Bocelli, Chris Rock and The Who, along with productions such as Disney on Ice and Cirque du Soleil. But you don’t need a ticket to enjoy the arena’s elegant architecture, marked by undulating exterior panels that evoke the foothills, or to visit the striking Je Koons sculpture on the plaza. (In case you’re wondering, the colorful sculpture depicts Winnie-the-Pooh’s Piglet.) A multitude of new restaurants and bars have popped up around the arena and on nearby K Street Mall, making this a great place to grab a drink or a bite to eat.
Downtown is home to Crocker Art Museum (the oldest art museum in the West) and California Museum, where you can visit the California Hall of Fame. Nearby, the State Capitol offers fascinating guided tours that allow you to watch legislators at work when they’re in session. Stroll the grounds of Capitol Park, which feature the International World Peace Rose Garden and the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
MIDTOWN
This live wire of a neighborhood in the heart of the city is a magnet for fun lovers. There are dozens of hip restaurants and bars, and the monthly Second Saturday Art Walk draws many merrymakers. On Saturday mornings, the Midtown Farmers Market on 20th Street between J and L is a great place to shop for seasonal produce from local farmers, along with artisanal food products and handmade goods. Midtown is also home to a large number of independently owned boutiques and art galleries.
The neighborhood is both walkable and bicycle friendly. It’s made up of several smaller sub-neighborhoods, each with its own distinct personality. The Handle District is the epicenter for fine dining, with restaurants such as The Waterboy (Mediterreanean), Zócalo (Mexican), Mulvaney’s B&L (American) and Sibling by Pushkin’s (gluten free). R Street Corridor is Sacramento’s old warehouse district. Many of those atmospheric old buildings have been redeveloped and are now home to exciting bars, restaurants and shops, including Bottle & Barlow, Beast & Bounty, Anthropologie, West Elm and Salt & Straw. Lavender Heights is the hub of Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ community. Shaded by trees and built on a gentle rise, Poverty Ridge is largely a residential neighborhood, known for its classic Victorians and Craftsman bungalows. (It got its colorful name from the gold rush days, when the city’s poor would flock here during heavy rains to escape the floodwaters.)
LAND PARK
Life in this elegant, tree-shaded neighborhood centers around William Land Park, a 166-acre oasis of green in the middle of the city. In addition to a jogging path, picnic areas and picturesque ponds, the park offers attractions such as the Sacramento Zoo, Fairytale Town (a children’s play park with 25 sets based on fairy tales and nursery rhymes), Funderland (a small amusement park) and a nine-hole golf course. William A. Carroll Amphitheatre in the park hosts concerts, plays, an annual Shakespeare festival and other productions.
Sacramento Historic City Cemetery on Broadway is an outdoor museum that pays homage to the city’s history from the gold rush onward. It’s the final resting place for many of the city’s first citizens, from early mayors and governors to more colorful denizens such as bootleggers and saloon owners. The cemetery’s Historic Rose Garden features old and antique roses in a profusion of shapes and colors. Guided tours of the cemetery and rose garden are available.
Land Park is home to the classic Tower Theatre, a grand old movie house on Broadway that shows mostly foreign, indie and art films. Nearby, you’ll find numerous restaurants serving global cuisine: Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Ethiopian, you name it. Venture out into the residential parts of the neighborhood to see exquisite examples of European Revival architecture from the 1920s and ’30s.
EAST SACRAMENTO
This pedestrian-friendly neighborhood east of midtown is like a little village plunked in the middle of the city. It’s easy to walk or bike to the area’s many independent restaurants, cafes and retailers. The jewel of the neighborhood is 32-acre McKinley Park, home to a library, duck pond, rose garden, garden and arts center, tennis courts, soccer and baseball fields and a popular 1.1-mile running path. (Back in the ’90s, then-President Bill Clinton famously jogged on the track during a trip to Sacramento.)
The neighborhood has a mix of bungalows and Tudor, Craftsman and Mediterranean Revival-style houses built in the 1920s and ’30s. It’s also home to an upscale sub-neighborhood called the Fabulous Forties, with grand old houses and sweeping green lawns. As governor, Ronald Reagan lived on 45th Street with his wife, Nancy, and their two children. At Christmastime, the neighborhood is host to the long-running Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tour, which allows visitors to get a peek inside these historic homes, all decked out for the holidays by local interior designers.
OAK PARK
This quaint, working-class city neighborhood is undergoing a big transition. Members of the city’s creative class and young homeowners are moving in, attracted to Oak Park’s proximity to downtown and a ordable housing stock.
The area has seen significant development. A slew of restaurants, bakeries, ice cream shops, juice bars, boutiques and design businesses have opened in the vicinity of Broadway Triangle, a stylish development with stores, loft apartments and townhouses. The area is also home to a co eehouse called Old Soul @ 40 Acres, a farmers market, an urban nursery, art studios and gallery spaces.
ROSEVILLE
This family-friend suburb, located at the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills, has recently come into its own as a city. In 2020, Money magazine named Roseville one of the top places in the United States to live and to retire. The largest city in Placer County, it has about 150,000 residents and a median household income of more than $90,000. It is an a ordable place to live, compared to other California cities, and it has a strong base of large employers o ering high-paying jobs, including Kaiser, Hewlett Packard and Sutter
Roseville Medical Center. Excellent public schools and outdoor amenities, including parks, biking and walking trails and recreation programs, make Roseville a popular destination for families with children. There’s a wide variety of housing available, from high-end new construction to active senior communities. You’ll find excellent shopping at Westfield Galleria (home to Nordstrom, Ti any, RH, Crate & Barrel and more), Fountains (where you’ll find Anthropologie, West Elm and Whole Foods, among other upscale retailers) and a myriad of smaller shopping centers.
FOLSOM
This beautiful foothills town is a place of stunning beauty, with rolling green hills, spectacular views and two lakes (Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma). Located 25 miles east of Sacramento, Folsom has a lot to o er: a strong economic base, good schools, lots of shopping options, and nearly 60 miles of biking and hiking trails. Folsom’s rich history starts with the fact that it was home to the West’s first railroad, which connected the gold fields to Sacramento’s ports. In 1880, the famed Folsom Prison was built out of solid granite blocks by inmates. The prison still stands and is known throughout the world, thanks to Johnny Cash and his song, “Folsom Prison Blues.” Today, there’s a small museum on the prison grounds. Folsom’s 34 square miles o er plenty of housing options, including a ordable new construction, multimillion-dollar homes in the hills and active-senior housing.
WEST SACRAMENTO
Directly across the Sacramento River from downtown Sacramento lies West Sacramento, a diverse city with more than 53,000 residents and a median household income of about $70,000. At one time, this port city was a center for manufacturing and distribution, but in recent years it has attracted families and businesses with its a ordability and accessibility. Housing options include sleek new lofts, townhouses and apartments in the city’s redeveloped Bridge District, along with family-friendly housing developments in the Southport area. There are numerous outlets for people interested in outdoor recreation, including walking and bike trails. The Vic Fazio Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area o ers hiking and both bird and bat watching. And the river provides numerous opportunities to get out on the water, via River City Rowing Club and West Sacramento’s Sailing Club and Rowing Club. For sports fans, there’s Sutter Health Park, home to the River Cats Triple-A baseball team. The crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd are familiar and much-loved sounds every summer in this small but growing city.
DAVIS
This picturesque college town, just 11 miles west of Sacramento, is an extremely bike-friendly city with lots of cultural and educational amenities. It is, of course, home to UC Davis, a world-class state university with more than 30,000 students. The campus o ers numerous draws that attract the community at large, including UC Davis Arboretum, Mondavi Center (which hosts concerts, plays, lectures and more) and Manetti-Shrem Museum of Art. Another important touchstone is the Davis Farmers Market, held year-round on Saturdays (8 a.m.–1 p.m.) and Wednesdays (3–6 p.m.) in Central Park. The market, one of the best in the region, o ers locally grown produce, along with live entertainment, ready-to-eat foods and arts and is a popular gathering spot for residents. While it is a desirable place to live, Davis does not have the robust residential development that characterizes other Sacramento suburbs. Thus, housing prices are generally higher than much of the rest of the region. Still, the city’s quality of life, excellent schools and relationship with the university make this a desirable place to live.
Marie Allman
Lake Tahoe
Sacramento sits two hours from the mountains, two hours from the coast—and close to many of Northern California’s other highly desirable destinations.
Gabriel Teague
Gabriel Teague
Capitola-By-The-Sea
First of all, the Sacramento region is delightful on its own, even before you consider its location in the center of California’s Central Valley. But its proxmity to other Northern California hot spots does afford some additional advantages to residents and visitors with itchy feet. Roads lead in all directions. We take a highwayby-highway look at some of the experiences available within a few hours’ drive—or less.
FUN IN THE FOOTHILLS
INTERSTATE 80 EAST
Less than half an hour out of Sacramento, you’ll come upon the exits for Roseville, a suburban city that’s home to approximately 146,000 people, the region’s largest and most upscale shopping mall, and plenty of retail and restaurant options. Roseville’s Historic Old Town includes the Carnegie Museum, run by the Roseville Historical Society, as well as some shops and restaurants. Old Town skirts the railroad tracks near Denio’s Farmers Market
and Swap Meet (always worth a wander). The trendier—and spendier—part of town, off East Roseville Parkway and Galleria Boulevard, has Westfield Galleria at Roseville mall, with anchors Macy’s, Nordstrom, JC Penney, Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn, and a Promenade teeming with restaurants including Il Fornaio and Ruth’s Chris steakhouse. Across the street in Fountains, you’ll find DSW, Anthropologie, Sur La Table, West Elm and other retailers, along with Whole Foods, Yard House and local standout Mexican restau-
Tim Engle
Tim Engle
Roseville’s
Fountains at Roseville
rant Zócalo. If you’re looking for some gaming fun, head out to Thunder Valley, o Highway 65 in Lincoln, or Hard Rock, in Wheatland.
A bit farther east on Interstate 80, the small foothills communities of Loomis, Newcastle and Penryn invite people to drive the backroads and discover farms, breweries and wineries. Check out the Placer County Wine & Ale Trail to know where to nd the region’s wineries and breweries, many with gorgeous views of the rolling countryside. Taylor Road in Loomis includes a couple of spots to stop, including High-Hand Nursery and Cafe (brunch in the greenery- lled con-
hill. Enjoy a co ee on the patio at The Pour Choice, sip a craft brew at Auburn Alehouse or shop the boutiques on Sacramento Street. Also in the area: some of the best trails around at Auburn State Recreation Area, where the Middle and
North forks of the American River meet. Park at The Con uence under the Foresthill Bridge and hike to Lake Clementine, where water falls over the dam in a cascade of beauty, or take the trails on two wheels. It’s a mountain biker’s dream out here.
servatory), Blue Goose Fruit Shed (for local fruits and nuts) and The Feathered Nest (home décor). In Newcastle, the produce sheds are home to a gallery, restaurants and the delightful Newcastle Produce, with a deli counter loaded with house-made treats and a store full of local products and creations. Cross over the freeway to discover North Fork Chai Co., which makes a nice breakfast or lunch stop.
Next stop: Auburn.
The Placer county seat, this city of almost 68,000 people includes a historic downtown complete with a red-and-white striped rehouse shaped like a witch’s hat and a gorgeous courthouse on a
Gabriel Teague
Gabriel Teague
High-Hand Nursery and Cafe
Lake Clementine
Foresthill Bridge
LAKE TAHOE
Accessible from Interstate 80 (North Shore) or Highway 50 (South Shore), Lake Tahoe is a two-hour drive from Sacramento either way. A hub for skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing in the winter and hiking, boating, mountain biking and swimming in the summer, the Tahoe Basin includes the clear-blue freshwater lake, which straddles the state line between California and Nevada, the 165-mile Tahoe Rim trail, and numerous historic destinations. Along the 80 corridor, the town of Truckee and Donner Lake—named for the tragic Donner Party that tried to cross the Sierra in winter 1846-47—make great stops for lunch or a little time by the smaller lake before dropping into Tahoe’s North Shore, which includes Incline Village and the gorgeous clear-water Sand Harbor. On the Highway 50 side, the ride includes a sobering view of wildfire-ravaged forests, then spectacular views of Lake Tahoe as you descend from Echo Summit into South Lake Tahoe and Stateline. There, you’ll find sandy beaches, casinos, Tallac Historic Site and lots of trails. From there, it’s a short drive west to Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm Castle or east to Zephyr Cove. For the best views, take the Heavenly Gondola up the mountainside. While Tahoe can be done in a day trip, we recommend spending a night or two or three—even a week.
TOWARD THE COAST
INTERSTATE 80 WEST
The most direct route to the San Francisco Bay Area, Interstate 80 rolls westward through parts of ag-rich Yolo County, including Davis, where the world-renowned University of California, Davis campus boasts the Mondavi Center concert hall and the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art. In the city of Davis, stop by the Saturday farmers market in Central Park—one of the best in the region, with many organic goodies straight from nearby Capay Valley, including fruits, veggies, owers, olive oil, nuts, meat and eggs.
Vacaville makes a nice stop along the way as well, with a lively downtown area backdropped by hillsides. Shops and restaurants surround a town square; grab a co ee at Journey, located in an old movie house, and wander past historic buildings (such as the original Town Hall) and beautiful old homes nearby.
Tra c can be a bear between Sacramento and Fair eld, clogging up at the causeway between West Sac and Davis, slowing down again in Dixon, and sometimes a few more times before you get to the Bay Area. Word to the wise: Travel early on weekends—try to be on the road by about 8 a.m.—and a little later on weekdays, to miss the commute.
To ferry into San Francisco, pick up the boat in Vallejo, Richmond or Oakland. San Francisco Bay Ferry runs daily; check times online before you travel.
In the Bay Area, Berkeley has several fun districts to visit, including Fourth Street (packed with shops and restaurants) and the Shattuck Street area around University of California, Berkeley, with bookstores and thrift shops and a very eclectic grocery store, Berkeley Bowl. The university itself makes for a beautiful walk among historic buildings and the iconic Campanile, as does the Berkeley Marina,
with a path alongside the choppy bay. Just south of Berkeley lies Oakland’s Rockridge area—food halls, co eehouses, sidewalk dining, galleries, urban artwork. The East Bay is a vibrant spot, rushing with scooterers and cyclists and Bay Area Rapid Transit trains.
Across the Bay Bridge, drop into San Francisco and head for the Embarcadero and the Ferry Building, a waterfront collection of retail and restaurants, where the ferry lets o and a Saturday farmers market draws crowds. Hit the San Francisco hot spots, including Fisherman’s Wharf for clam chowder
Gabriel Teague
Golden Gate Bridge
and cracked crab. Take a Red & White or Blue & Gold eet voyage, or ferry to Angel Island for a day of hiking or to Alcatraz to learn all about the famous island prison. The beach at Crissy Field has free parking and promises a wind- lled day in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge; dogs run loose out here. Hike the trails in the Presidio or out at Land’s End, one of the most scenic spots in the state. For big-city shopping: Union Square. For chocolate: Ghirardelli Square. Of course, take a cable car—so much fun to careen down the hills of San Francisco as you’re seeing the sights—and walk the block famous for being the crookedest in the world, Lombard Street. Across the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands provide some of the best hiking in the Bay Area, with windswept blu s overlooking the water. Afterward, grab a bite to eat in Sausalito or Tiburon, two little waterfront towns.
DELTA WINE COUNTRY
The closest wine country to Sacramento, Clarksburg lies in the Sacramento River Delta just south of downtown and West Sacramento. Take River Road along the river into a rural region rife with grapevines and wineries. A collection of tasting rooms at Old Sugar Mill (14 in all) make it a one-stop, or expand the day with visits to others in the area, including Bogle, Miner’s Leap, Heringer, Julietta and River Grove. On the Sacramento side of the river, pop into Scribner Bend, another award-winning winery in the area.
NAPA VALLEY WINE COUNTRY
World famous for vineyards, wineries, restaurants and inns, the Napa Valley is an easy day trip from Sacramento, not much more than an hour away via Highway 12 o Interstate 80. You can drive, or you can take a take a tour shuttle—the sheer number of tasting rooms (at least 90) in the valley can be daunting. Choose a few to focus on; reservations required. The valley, tucked between the Mayacamas Mountains on one side and the Vaca Range on the other, includes a couple of scenic highways—Highway 29 and Silverado Trail—that deliver you to many of the wineries. Downtown Napa includes a number of tasting rooms in a walkable grid,
as well as the Oxbow Market food hall (wine, cheese, olive oil, books, gifts, oysters, cupcakes and more), a pretty promenade fronting the Napa River and the Napa Valley Wine Train station. Up the valley, the towns of Yountville (the famous French Laundry is here), St. Helena (so walkable!) and Calistoga (natural springs and spas) treat visitors to more wine, shopping and dining. Don’t miss the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone outside St. Helena, a gorgeous stone building that used to house Christian Brothers winery. It’s one of numerous spectacular buildings in the Napa Valley, where you’ll find the most opulent tasting rooms, breathtaking wine caves, and restaurants where the wine country cuisine is unforgettable.
Alcatraz
Old Sugar Mill
buildings, a still-working blacksmith shop, a restaurant and signage throughout. Also in this area, you’ll find some of the best whitewater rafting in the world.
GOLD RUSH HISTORY
HIGHWAY 49
Known as the Golden Chain, Highway 49 runs in the foothills, linking one Gold Rush town after another. Between Placerville (see “Highway 50”) and Auburn, Coloma— on the banks of the American River—is where the Gold Rush began in 1848 with the discovery of gold at (John) Sutter’s Sawmill. The (James) Marshall Gold Discovery Site and sawmill are part of the interpretive state park, which includes remaining
South of Placerville, a collection of Gold Rush towns dot the hills, including Jackson and Sutter Creek (see more about this area under “Highway 16”) and the Amador Wine Country (see box).
North of Auburn, Grass Valley has a bustling downtown district that’s home to an impressive dining and drinking stretch (along Mill Street and Main Street), with lots of shops and galleries, too. The 28-room Holbrooke Hotel, recently renovated, provides a great spot to spend the night—or just an evening for dinner and drinks.
Grab a pasty at one of the pasty shops in town; these stuffed pies are a Grass Valley staple. Just outside of town, Empire Mine State Park has beautiful grounds and one of the oldest and deepest gold mines in the state.
Adjacent to Grass Valley, Nevada City is a picturesque foothills town that has preserved its historic downtown. It’s got wooden sidewalks and lots of original old brick; the downtown commercial district is on the Register of Historic Places. It’s busy with visitors and residents, with most of the activity on Broad Street and its side streets, and packed with arts, culture, shopping and dining opportunities. It’s got all the small-town staples: inns in old mansions, at least one bookstore, thirdwave coffee, galleries that show local artists’ works, an old Miners Foundry and someplace to get a fancy piece of chocolate.
Beyond Nevada City, along the Yuba River, there are lots of camping and picnicking spots, as well as rafting opportunities, and hiking and mountain biking trails. About an hour outside of Nevada City, the pretty mountain town of Downieville hosts summer’s Downieville Classic mountain bike race and festival.
MORE MOTHERLODE
HIGHWAY 16 TO HIGHWAY
49 SOUTH
Just outside of Sacramento, Highway 16 shoots o from Folsom Boulevard and leads out to the straw-colored meadows toward Rancho Murieta (horses!) and Sloughhouse (home of perhaps the juiciest locally grown corn!) and out toward Jackson, where it connects with Highway 49. Favorite stops in this area include Amador City, great for antiques shopping (clothing and furniture). Nearby Sutter Creek has a sweet little historic stretch laden with shops, restaurants and wine-tasting rooms within walking distance of one another. The Antique Gardener is one of the most charming home and
Amador Wine Country
Some 30 wineries, many of them award-winning, populate the Shenandoah Valley, bucolic with rolling vineyard views. Amador Vinters’ website gives a detailed map. Some of our must-stops: Andis, Helwig, Rombauer, Je Runquist, Story, Wilderotter and Young’s. It’s important to make tasting reservations. Zin is the signature varietal, but many other reds, whites, pinks and sparklings grace the inventories and tasting options. While you’re in the Shenandoah Valley, enjoy your picnic lunch on the grounds of Amador Flower Farm, where the acres of gardens showcase some 1,200 varieties of daylilies, which bloom each spring and summer.
garden shops in the area. Jackson, the largest city in Amador County, has all the conveniences of home—supermarkets, chain co ee, good cell coverage—as well as a downtown Main Street that’s very walkable. Hein & Company houses more than 650,000 volumes of used and antique books, and you’ll nd a terri c kitchen store, candy shop and Serbian bakery in town. Keep going to teeny Volcano, with its historic St. George Hotel and the fabulous Kneading Dough Bakery, and on into Calaveras County for wine tasting in Murphys, a cute downtown in Angels Camp and the Columbia State Historic Park, a working town where shopkeepers and the blacksmith dress like it’s the 1850s and you can sip a sarsaparilla and pan for gold. Outside these towns, several caves lure the adventurous. Tour Black Chasm Cavern, Moaning Caverns or Mercer Caverns.
Gabriel Teague
Gabriel
Teague
Gabriel Teague
Sutter Creek
Amador Flower Farm
THIS WAY TO THE SIERRA
HIGHWAY 50 EAST
Take Highway 50 East out of Sacramento and within about 20 minutes, you’ll be in Folsom, a suburban city with a historic downtown (Sutter Street), Palladio outdoor shopping center, and two lakes connected by the American River Parkway bike trail. At Lake Natoma, a dammed-up portion of the American River at the edge of Rancho Cordova and Folsom, the Sac State Aquatic Center rents paddleboards and kayaks. Folsom Lake, the region’s largest reservoir, is a prime spot for fishing, boating, waterskiing, sunbathing, mountain biking and hiking. Because historic Folsom is just off the American River bike trail, it’s a cycling hot spot. Three bridges cross the river here.
Next stop off Highway 50 East is El Dorado Hills, a bedroom com-
munity with a lovely town center, where you’ll find restaurants and shops and lots of activities including movie nights and outdoor concerts.
Another 20 minutes’ drive brings you to Placerville, one of the larger small towns in the foothills and a common rest stop for travelers between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe. Its downtown district—rife with storefronts, restaurants and museums—is anchored by the Bell Tower, a monument to the city’s volunteer fire department and a gathering spot for events today. Walk this Main Street and you’ll be treated to some of the finest 1850s architecture in the foothills.
Just east of Placerville in Camino is Apple Hill, a region chock-full of farms and wineries. In the summer, farms open for berry picking, and every fall, Sacramentans drive up with the kids for apple picking and, in October, pumpkin patches with corn mazes, craft fairs, barbecue, apple ci-
der doughnuts and other baked goods. Then it’s Christmas tree-cutting season. Along the backroads, vineyards and tasting rooms invite visitors in. Boeger and Lava Cap are area favorites, with beautiful views of rolling hills covered in grapevines and mountain vistas.
As Highway 50 climbs into the Sierra, heading for South Lake Tahoe, stop in at Sly Park for a picnic or hike to a waterfall. In the Eldorado National Forest, lots of trailheads lead hikers and mountain bikers into the woods.
NORTH OR SOUTH, TAKE 5
INTERSTATE 5
Two highways leading south from Sacramento, Interstate 5 and Highway 99 parallel each other, running through the town of Elk Grove, a farming and bedroom community with a small downtown and one of the region’s largest auto malls. Further south is Lodi, a region rich with wineries. Spend a day wine tasting in Lodi and you’ll see the gnarled old zinfandel vines, many of which still produce grapes for today’s reds. It’s not just zin out here, although it’s what the region is known for. Start at the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, attached to the Wine & Roses Inn, to pick up a map of the 85-plus wineries in
the area. Some of our favorites include Harney Lane, Jessie’s Grove, Klinker Brick, d’Art, Michael David and m2. In downtown Lodi, tasting rooms are interspersed with shops and restaurants, making it an easy and walkable stop. Also in Lodi, Micke Grove Regional Park has a zoo and Japanese garden. About an hour from Sacramento, the city of Stockton lies on the San Joaquin River. Here, you’ll find a waterfront area with a marina offering kayak and paddleboard rentals. Haggin Museum includes local history displays and local artworks. In Oak Grove Regional Park, trails, a catfish-stocked lake and a nature center will keep visitors entertained. Stockton is home to the famous San Joaquin Asparagus Festival each May.
Highway 5 takes travelers north out of Sacramento as well, delivering them to the airport as well as Woodland and out to the agriculture-rich Capay Valley via Highway 16. This area provides the basis for Sacramento’s farmto-fork designation, with almond, walnut and olive orchards; farms growing tomatoes, squash, corn, greens and much more; and ranches producing meat and poultry. A few miles away, off Highway 128 toward Vacaville, the little town of Winters has a sweet downtown area with a thriving food scene.
Gabriel Teague
Apple Hill
Midtown, East Sacramento and Oak Park’s Triangle District are home to some of the most interesting shops and boutiques in the region. Those neighborhoods are all very walkable, as well. Want to find it all in one place? Then Arden Fair mall, right off the Capital City Freeway, is a good bet. Also in Sacramento, Pavilions, on Fair Oaks Boulevard, is an upscale, open-air shoppers’ playground.
Heading north on Interstate 80, you’ll find that the city of Roseville offers much shopping, including Westfield Galleria at Roseville, the region’s largest shopping mall, and Fountains, which often serves as a venue for concerts and other activities right among its stores and restaurants. In Folsom, you’ll find Folsom Premium Outlets and Palladio, and just up the hill, there’s El Dorado Hills Town Center. Want to see and be seen? Then head over to DOCO, adjacent to Golden 1 Center. Here’s a look at some of the best shops in the region, where you’ll find the latest and greatest.
FASHION
Jam Baby is an absolutely delightful boutique, selling thoughtfully selected baby and children’s clothes made from organic fibers such as linen and cotton, along with beautiful wood toys. The most striking thing about this store is the wares’ color palette; the clothes all come in muted pastels and earth tones; no primary colors and no pink! 3328 Broadway; (916) 706-2472; shopjambaby.com Old Gold
At this little gem of a shop in WAL Public Market, fans of vintage apparel and local goods strike it rich. The jewelry cases brim with minimalist and statement pieces, many of them by local jewelry makers. Vintage fiends flock here for funky dresses, blouses, handbags and a boot selection that will have you kicking up your heels. The home decor, most of it crafted by local artisans, is fresh and fun. 1104 R St.; (916) 329-8569; shopoldgold.com #Panache
#Panache is an eclectic shop that demands frequent visits because the selection is always evolving. Owners Ralph Barnett and Hector Lopez scoop up unique items from their favorite flea markets and travels abroad, which means all the merchandise here (aside from the soaps and candles) is secondhand.
Retail Therapy
In the Sacramento region, you can buy anything your heart desires.
Lopez describes the store as a celebration of “affordable luxury” that encompasses everything from 1970s designer sunglasses to Kelly-green suede Louboutin ballet flats to a French caned bedside table. 5379 H St.; (916) 813-5758
Purpose
Situated on a side street just off J in midtown, Purpose is a hip little women’s boutique that carries ethically produced apparel, accessories and jewelry. You’ll find pieces by small manufacturers featuring unique fabrics from artisans in Bali and elsewhere. You’ll never have to worry about running into someone wearing the same outfit as you. 920 24th St.; (916) 426-8037; shopthepurpose.com
R. Douglas
When it comes to fashion, there’s one thing that never goes out of style: clothes that fit well. Custom
clothier R. Douglas specializes in hand-tailored suits, shirts, tuxedoes, overcoats and custom denim for men who appreciate one-of-a-kind garments that fit to a T. Just be sure to plan ahead: It can take four to six weeks for a tailor to turn out custom items. R. Douglas also carries a line of handmade silk ties from Italy as well as cuff links, pocket squares, shoes and custom-made belts to help pull off your signature style. 1020 12th St.; (916) 438-9455; rdouglas.net
Sacramento Kings Team Store
If you’re a basketball fan, don’t leave Sacramento without stopping in to the Sacramento Kings Team Store. Located next to Golden 1 Center in the Downtown Commons, this shop is your one-stop shop for official team merch and memorabilia. 500 David J. Stern Walk; (916) 701-5450; kingsteamstore.com
Strapping
Looking for a gag gift or fun stocking stuffer? Check out Strapping, which carries a mindboggling selection of fun, funny, silly and naughty items.
Do you really need a wiener dog wine stopper, a Dunder Mifflin coffee mug or a pair of socks that read “Nice Jewish Girl”? No, but you’ll definitely want them once you see them. The store, with locations in Oak Park and midtown, also carries a nicely curated selection of kitchen and housewares, including pillows, cutting boards, cocktail glasses and more. 3405 Broadway; (916) 476-3376; 1731 L St.; (916) 400-3922; 1715 R St.; (916) 476-3376; strappingstore.com
FOODSTUFFS
The Allspicery Cooks will discover sugar, spice and everything nice at this fully stocked
Marcus Meisler
spice shop across the street from the state Capitol. The shop is filled with unusual and hard-to-find ingredients, including zhug, barberries, porcini mushroom powder, scorpion pepper salt and habanero sugar. You’ll also find great Sac-themed food products, including dipping oils, hot cocoa mixes and tea sachets. Come here to stock your own pantry or find a useful gift for the foodie in your life who has everything. 1125 11th St.; (916) 389-7828; allspicery.com
The Chefs’ Olive Mix
Sure, you could buy olive oil and vinegar from the supermarket, but what’s the fun in that? Owner Lisa Lubeley contends her shops are about the experience, not just the sale. “They are cool stores because you can taste everything before you buy,” she says. “We have tasting cups so that you know exactly what you are getting.” Each Olive Mix boasts more than 60 tanks of oils and vinegars, including extra-virgin olive oils from around the world—Portugal, Tunisia, Chile, Australia and more—as well as a selection of specialty vinegars in every imaginable flavor, like black cherry balsamic and serrano honey vinegar. 131 J St.; (916) 706-3105; chefsolivemix.com
Good Bottle
This downtown liquor store is stocked with an impressive selection of unexpected and hard-to-find wines and spirits, all aimed at taking your home bar to a new level. Here, you’ll get great service and expert advice about stocking your bar, regardless of your alcohol IQ. In addition to spirits and wines, the shop sells quirky barware and practical tools for building out your home setup. 1123 11th St.; (916) 3094868; goodbottleshop.com
HOME, GARDEN & GIFTS
Crocker Art Museum Store
Museum gift shops are often a great place to find interesting and unusual gifts, and the Crocker Art Museum Store is no different. Located on the downtown museum’s ground floor, it carries books, prints, jewelry, apparel, puzzles, toys, cards and many more artistic and art-related items. 216 O St.; (916) 808-5531; crockerart.org/ shop
Bungalow Vintage Living
There are few shops in the Sacramento region as pleasing to the eye as Bungalow. Every corner has something interesting to capture the imagination: time-worn furnishings;
industrial light fixtures; weathered architectural pieces; on-trend jewelry, apparel and accessories. Owner Kim Panighetti has a gift for bringing it all together with flair. 10139 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks; (916) 967-7000
DISPLAY: California
This shop is a must-stop for any first-time visitor to California. The inventory focuses on products made in, or inspired by, California. You’ll find beautifully designed products, including California puzzles and books for little ones, jewelry, candles, cards and much, much more. This corner store has led an exciting retail revival in Oak Park that continues to flourish as creative entrepreneurs hang out their shingle in the historic neighborhood. 3433 Broadway; (916) 822-4925; displaycalifornia.com
Kechmara Designs
Moroccan rugs bring instant interest to any room, thanks to their shaggy texture and irregular geometric lines. But you needn’t settle for a West Elm look-alike when buying one. Rug gallery owner Ali Setayesh sells an impressive selection of new and vintage Moroccan rugs that he unearths during regular trips to the North African country. And unlike the chain-store copycats, every carpet sold here is handmade and unique. 1104 R St.; (916) 342-0257; kechmaradesigns.com
The Kitchen Table
Run out of a darling pink bungalow cottage in East Sacramento, The Kitchen Table overflows with a beautifully curated selection of kitchen wares, entertaining pieces, bar accessories and more. You’ll find the perfect gift for your cookingobsessed friends, and you’ll probably leave with at least one item you didn’t know you needed. 1462 33rd St.; (916) 588-9866; kitchentablesac.com
The Plant Foundry
This colorful urban nursery in the heart of Oak Park caters to all types of gardeners, from veteran green thumbs who know their way around a composting bin to newbies just getting started with a terrarium for their apartment. Owner Angela Pratt stocks a variety of native and drought-tolerant plants in addition to house plants, succulents, fruit trees, vegetable seeds, fertilizers— even chicken coops! Not looking to get your hands dirty? The Plant Foundry also carries patio furniture by Fermob, as well as garden-related gifts and cards. 3500 Broadway; (916) 917-5787; plantfoundry.com
Propagate
This hip midtown retailer carries houseplants sourced from local nurseries and independent growers, along with pots, accessories and gifts. It also offers free “plant doctor” services as well as design services for homes and businesses and plant workshops. 1700 I St.; (916) 3994804; propagatesac.com
BOOKS
East Village Bookshop
shoppers find just the right fit by conducting a free video gait analysis on a fit station scanning machine. In addition to carrying a wide selection of shoes and technical apparel, Gold Country also hosts educational workshops and training programs. And during demo runs, customers can take a pair of kicks out for a trial run before committing. 4370 Town Center Blvd., El Dorado Hills; (916) 303-4786; 7610 Folsom-Auburn Road, Folsom; (916) 817-1151; 6835 Lonetree Blvd., Rocklin; (916) 7014786; goldcountryrunandsport.com
This charming shop in the East Sac neighborhood hearkens back to a simpler time, before Amazon, when people actually went to stores to buy their books. The shop is light-filled and welcoming, with a sofa where you can curl up and read The New York Times, a table set for an impromptu game of chess and a children’s reading section. The inventory ranges from beach reads and New York Times bestsellers to Booker Prize winners. The store also carries high-brow magazines, greeting cards, canvas totes and more. 3604 McKinley Blvd.; (279) 202-9018; bookshop.org/shop/eastvillage
Ruby’s Books
Folsom’s only independent bookstore, this shop in Folsom’s historic district carries 12,000 hand-picked books. It offers children’s story time, authors’ signing events (including local authors), book group bulk orders and partnerships with nearby schools for book fairs and educator discounts. 724 Sutter St., Folsom; (916) 790-8760; rubysfolsom.com
Underground Books
This friendly shop, which serves as Oak Park’s literary hub, is one of only a handful of Black bookstores in the United States. The store carries predominantly works by Black authors and hosts book signings, children’s story time, a book club, panel discussions and art talks. It shares space with 40 Acres Market, which sells Oak Park swag, Harriet Tubman “The Original Ride or Die” T-shirts and items made by local Black-owned businesses. 2814 35th St.; (916) 7373333; underground-books.com
SPORTS & FITNESS
Gold Country Run + Sport
Everyone knows that runners are fanatical about their footwear, and this pair of stores caters to that fanaticism. At Gold Country Run + Sport, well-trained staffers help
Sutterville Bicycle Company
Tucked away in an industrial section of Hollywood Park is this canine- and people-friendly, full-service bike shop. They service and sell all kinds of bikes: vintage cruisers, early-style mountain bikes, BMX bikes, fixies and more. The Sutterville team also does custom builds and can repair just about any bike you bring in. 2635 Sutterville Bypass; (916) 737-7537; suttervillebicycle.com
FLEA AND ANTIQUES MARKETS
Folsom Boulevard Flea Market
This long-running outdoor marketplace features more than 450 sellers and food booths. 7 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 8521 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 383-0880; folsomflea.com
Sacramento Antique Faire
More than 300 vendors from around the state gather to sell antique and vintage furniture and decor, jewelry, garden accessories and more. 6:30 a.m.–2 p.m. second Sunday of the month. 1 Sports Pkwy., Sleep Train Arena; (916) 600-9770; sacantiquefaire.com
Galt Market
On Tuesdays, more than 400 vendors spread out over 10 acres to offer clothing, tools, pottery, rugs, blankets and more. On Wednesdays, the market spotlights new retail merchandise, garage sale vendors and produce sales. 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, plus special holiday hours. 610 Chibolla Ave., Galt; (209) 366-7161
Denio’s
This farmers market and swap meet is open, rain or shine, yearround. 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Saturdays, 7a.m.–5 p.m. Sundays. 1551 Vineyard Road, Roseville; (916) 782-2704; deniosmarket.com
The Restaurant Scene
Where to eat, drink and make merry.
People who think of Sacramento as a boring government town are operating from a very old playbook. The capital city offers many delights, not the least of which is its booming restaurant scene. The New York Times, Thrillist and Eater have all raved about the food culture here: the freshness of the ingredients, the caliber of the restaurants, the inventiveness of the chefs. The past few years have been particularly exciting ones for Sacramento. In 2016, the city’s then-mayor, Kevin Johnson, proclaimed it the Farm-to-Fork Capital of the United States, in recognition of the region’s remarkable fecundity. And in 2019, the world-famous Michelin Guide acknowledged that Sacramento deserved a place alongside such well-known restaurant cities as San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles by awarding one of its coveted stars to a local restaurant (The Kitchen) and singling out others for recognition.
So, as a newcomer or visitor to Sacramento, what should you know about its food scene? First off, you will find an amazing diversity of dining options, from humble food trucks to fine-dining establishments like the aforementioned The Kitchen, a prix-fixe demonstration-style dinner house that is like a cross between The French Laundry and Benihana. Several nights a week, chef Kelly McCown takes center stage in the open kitchen and keeps up an entertaining patter with diners while creating a stunning eightcourse meal based on the season’s bounty. Popular with people celebrating major occasions such as birthdays and engagements, it is without a doubt one of the hottest tickets in town.
Other fine-dining options include The Waterboy in midtown, where chef/owner Rick Mahan has perfected a style of food and service that is sophisticated but not fussy or stuffy. The menu is Mediterranean,
Gabriel Teague
OneSpeed
Ella Grange
with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and classic dishes such as steak tartare, sautéed sweetbreads and pollo al mattone (chicken cooked under a brick). Nearby, at Localis, talented chef Chris Barnum-Dann oversees a tasting menu. His is refined, high-concept “tweezer food” composed of high-end ingredients such as tru es and artful garnishes. Also in Midtown, Mulvaney’s B&L o ers a more casual variation on fine dining. Located in a historic firehouse and a favorite haunt of local lobbyists and politicians, Mulvaney’s has a laid-back, friendly, “Cheers”-like atmosphere, thanks to its garrulous owner, Patrick Mulvaney. An early champion of the region’s farmers, Mulvaney lets the beauty and purity of his seasonal and local ingredients shine. You can’t miss if you order the house-smoked salmon with Irish brown bread, followed by a grilled double-cut pork chop or 21-day-dry-aged Niman Ranch rib-eye. Downtown Sacramento also o ers its fair share of fine-dining destinations, including Camden Spit & Larder (a modern London-style bistro), Grange (a chic eatery inside The Citizen Hotel) and The Firehouse (old-school elegance in Old Sac). In East Sacramento, there’s Allora, a contemporary Italian seafood restaurant where you can get caviar service with your three-, four- or fivecourse tasting menu.
But it’s not all truffles and caviar in Sactown. This city offers a plethora of places to have a hamburger, tuck into a taco or pig out on pizza. Speaking of pizza, The Waterboy’s Mahan serves some of the best wood-fired, thin-crust pies in town at his East Sac eatery, OneSpeed, where you can also get a salad, a bowl of house-made pasta or a burger. For deep-dish pizza, you’d have to look hard to find any better than Zelda’s Original Gourmet Pizza, a no-frills joint in midtown with legions of fans. Not far away is Federalist, an outdoor pizza-and-beer garden operated out of a restaurant cunningly built from shipping containers.
You could be forgiven for thinking Sacramentans are obsessed with fried chicken. You can find superb fried fowl at any number of places, including Nash & Proper, which started out as a food truck and now has several brick-and-mortar locations serving Nashville hot chicken; Fixins Soul Kitchen in Oak Park, partly owned by former mayor Kevin Johnson; and Bawk!, an R Street chicken shop that also serves excellent craft cocktails. Even Sibling by Pushkin’s, a popular midtown restaurant serving gluten-free fare, has a crispy fried chicken sandwich on its menu—made without gluten, of course.
Eat Like a Sacramentan
Sacramento’s most beloved dishes
Burger
Pangaea Bier Cafe
This award-winning burger comes on brioche with “special sauce”
Pepperoni pizza
Pizza
Supreme Being
Available by slice or pie and loaded with ’roni cups
Grilled cheese
Benedict Bacon & Butter
A gooey gut bomb
Fire-roasted
octopus
Localis
The preparation may change, but this tentacle never disappoints
Firecracker roll
Kru
Sushi doesn’t get any better than this
Steak tartare with garlic popovers
Ella Dining Room & Bar
Happy-hour food that will make you happy
The Paragary Restaurant Group is the company behind some of the most successful eateries in town, including Centro Cocina Mexicana, a J Street restaurant serving regional Mexican cuisine; Paragary’s, a beautifully designed Mediterranean boîte on 28th Street; and Cafe Bernardo, a small chain of casual, open-all-day bistros with an eclectic menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner fare. The newest Cafe Bernardo opened in the Fort Sutter Hotel on the edge of midtown, the final o ering from legendary restaurateur Randy Paragary before he passed away in 2021.
Finally, a word about outdoor dining: Thanks to its moderate climate and short (nonexistent?) rainy season, Sacramento has always been a great place to eat outdoors. One of the great silver linings to COVID-19 is that it encouraged even more restaurants to invest in outdoor seating. The city of Sacramento helped out by allowing restaurants to encroach on sidewalks and other public rights-of-way and closed several streets to vehicle tra c, enabling restaurants to spill out onto the roadway. The result? Exciting new “streeteries” and a vibrant, enlivened streetscape that many compare to the best of Europe. Aioli Bodega Española, The Rind, LowBrau Bierhalle, The Porch and Zócalo are just a few examples of great places to dine outdoors in Sacramento.
Tater tots
Canon
House-made tots served with mole, pepitas and pickled onions
Banana cream pie
Frank Fat’s
A creamy, indulgent classic for the ages
Ding-Dong
Mulvaney’s B&L
An upscale take on a lunchbox favorite
MUSEUMS
Aerospace Museum of California
3200 Freedom Park Drive, McClellan, (916) 643-3192, aerospaceca.org
A collection of military and civilian aircraft and engines housed at a former Air Force base.
See the world’s largest assemblage of antique tractors, plus antique farm equipment and trucks.
California Automobile Museum
2200 Front St., Sacramento, (916) 442-6802, calautomuseum.org
A collection of automobiles from every era, tracing their evolution and impact on California culture.
California Museum
1020 O St., Sacramento, (916) 6537524, californiamuseum.org
Permanent and special exhibits spotlight California history and the state’s contributions to the world through arts and culture, ideas and innovation. Home of the California Hall of Fame.
California State Capitol Museum
State Capitol Building, 1315 10th St., Sacramento, (916) 324-0333, capitolmuseum.ca.gov
Explore exhibits and take a tour of the seat of state government, a “living museum” since 1869.
Tour the renovated library in the circa-1928 Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building.
California State Railroad Museum
125 I St., Old Sacramento, (916) 3239280, californiarailroad.museum
Explore railroad history in the West through beautifully restored cars and locomotives and interactive exhibits in one of North America’s finest railroad museums. Ticketed excursion train rides (from nearby Central Pacific Passenger Station, 930 Front St., Old Sacramento) behind a vintage diesel or steam locomotive available weekends April–September, Tuesdays in March, April and October, and for special events and holidays.
Crocker Art Museum
216 O St., Sacramento, (916) 8087000, crockerart.org
The oldest public art museum in the West (est. 1885) and one of the state’s best, the Crocker boasts top collections of California art, Old Masters drawings and international ceramics plus hosts special exhibitions year-round along with a full calendar of cultural and family events.
Arts & Culture
You’ll find something to love at our museums, galleries, performance and event venues.
Science museum for school-age children with hands-on exhibits and special programs.
Folsom Historical Society: Folsom History Museum, Pioneer Village 823 Sutter St., Folsom, (916) 9852707, folsomhistoricalsociety.org
The museum focuses on local native peoples, gold discovery and mining, and special exhibits; the village is an interpretive center with a miner’s cabin, blacksmith shop and gold panning.
Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park 1526 H St., Sacramento, parks.ca.gov Built in 1877, this Second Empire Italianate Victorian mansion was home
to 13 California governors, then served as a museum. Gov. Jerry Brown and wife Anne Gust Brown refurbished it and lived there from 2015 to 2018. In 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom opted to move his family to the Sacramento suburb of Fair Oaks. The mansion is closed to tours until further notice.
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti
Shrem Museum of Art 254 Old Davis Road, Davis, (530) 752-8500, manettishremmuseum. ucdavis.edu
Opened in 2016, UC Davis’ newest museum showcases expansive architecture and works by renowned first-generation UC Davis art faculty among other must-see attractions.
Maidu Museum & Historic Site
1970 Johnson Ranch Drive, Roseville, (916) 774-5934, roseville.ca.us
An indoor-outdoor interpretive center about native Maidu at a site where Nisenan Maidu families lived for 3,000 years. An outdoor trail takes visitors by mortar holes and petroglyphs.
An array of artifacts and books illustrating developments in medicine, 1850s through today.
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
1200 Front St., Old Sacramento, (916) 483-8818, oldsacschoolhouse.org
Replica of 1800s-era schoolhouse filled with desks and artifacts re-creating the experience.
Old Sacramento State Historic Park
Between Capitol Mall and I Street, Sacramento River/Front Street and Interstate 5, Old Sacramento, (916) 445-7387, parks.ca.gov
This cluster of city blocks along the Sacramento River is where the city got its start, featuring 50-plus restored Gold Rush-era commercial buildings now housing museums, shops and eateries.
Roseville Utility Exploration Center
1501 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville, (916) 746-1550, roseville.ca.us/
explore
Explore tools for sustainable living at school, work and home, with “green” exhibits and events.
SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity
Tim Engle
Sacramento Children’s Museum
2701 Prospect Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, (916) 730-5079, sackids.org
For kids 8 and younger: interactive zones for art making, water play, building and creating.
African American history, culture and art are celebrated here with exhibits, events and outreach.
State Indian Museum
2618 K St., Sacramento, (916) 3240971, parks.ca.gov
Discover the cultures of native Californians through artifacts, photographs and exhibits.
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
2701 L St., Sacramento, (916) 4454422, suttersfort.org
Established by city founding father John Sutter in 1839, the fort supplied goods and shelter for pioneers. Today, livinghistory programs reveal what their lives were like during the Gold Rush.
ART GALLERIES
Second Saturday Art Walk
Galleries in downtown, midtown, East Sacramento and outer areas hold open receptions on the second Saturday of every month, mostly 6 to 9 p.m., sacramento.downtowngrid.com/2ndsaturday
2nd Friday ArtAbout
Davis galleries and businesses hold open receptions on the second Friday of every month, mostly 5 to 9 p.m., davisdowntown.com/artabout
B Street Theatre, The Sofia 2700 Capitol Ave., Sacramento, (916) 443-5300, bstreettheatre.org
One of Northern California’s top professional theaters, B Street stages Mainstage and Family Series plays along with music and other entertainment at The Sofia, which opened in 2018.
Big Idea Theatre
1616 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, (916) 960-3036, bigideatheatre.org
Small collaborative community theater company stages dramatic, artful, edgy works.
Broadway Sacramento— Broadway at Music Circus 1419 H St., Sacramento, (916) 5571999, broadwaysacramento.com
A series of professional, theater-in-theround Broadway musicals staged every summer since 1951.
Broadway Sacramento— Broadway on Tour 1301 L St., Sacramento, (916) 5571999, broadwaysacramento.com
Broadway Sacramento brings national touring Broadway shows to town, performing at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Complex.
Camellia Symphony Orchestra
731 Howe Ave., Suite 499, Sacramento, (800) 838-3006, camelliasymphony.org
Maestro Christian Baldini leads the community orchestra, first established in the 1960s.
The School of Music hosts 150 concerts annually, including piano and world-music series, the Festival of New American Music every fall and the New Millennium Series every winter/spring.
Sacramento Theatre Company 1419 H St., Sacramento, (916) 4436722, sactheatre.org
Productions include classics, contemporary works, musicals, youth shows and cabarets.
Sacramento Youth Symphony
3443 Ramona Ave., Suite 22, Sacramento, (916) 731-5777, sacramentoyouthsymphony.org
Crocker Art Museum
The region’s top orchestral youth organization cultivates youth talent at many levels and in several performing ensembles.
Off-Broadway and Family Series productions performed in an intimate setting.
Woodland Opera House Theatre
340 Second St., Woodland, (530) 666-9617, woodlandoperahouse.org
Mainstage and family theater productions and concerts performed in a historic opera house.
PERFORMANCE & EVENT VENUES
Ace of Spades
1417 R St., Sacramento, (916) 9300220, aceofspadessac.com
An entertainment anchor of the hipsterheavy R Street Corridor, this popular 1,000-person live-music venue brings in national touring recording artists.
Home to the California State Fair held in July, this 350-acre complex holds festivals, trade shows and concerts. Also on site: the 12,000-seat sports and entertainment venue Heart Health Park, home to Sacramento Republic FC soccer team, plus Raging Waters water park and a harness racing track.
CLARA: E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts
2420 N St., Sacramento, (916) 7942787, claramidtown.org
Several local arts organizations including Sacramento Ballet, McKeever School of Irish Dance and Sacramento Preparatory Music Academy are tenants of the renovated, century-old Fremont School, which includes intimate performance spaces.
Crest Theatre
1013 K St., Sacramento, (916) 4763356, crestsacramento.com
The historic art deco-style theater hosts nationally known musical acts and comedians, local performing ensembles and film festivals, and screenings of classic and cult films.
Downtown Commons (DOCO) K Street between Third and Seventh streets, (916) 273-8124, docosacramento.com
At the doorstep of Golden 1 Center and Kimpton Sawyer hotel, DOCO is downtown’s new epicenter of cool—an expansive outdoor, walk-friendly space with dozens of dining and drinking spots, retail (local boutiques to Macy’s) and an upscale cinema. Art, pop-up events and street performers add to the mix. It really
comes alive during Kings games and concerts.
Drake’s: The Barn
985 Riverfront St., West Sacramento, (510) 423-0971, drinkdrakes.com
Crowned by a sinuous wave of barn wood, this indoor-outdoor event space in West Sac’s Bridge District is a community gathering spot anchored by Drake’s Brewing Co. for food, beverages and entertainment.
Golden 1 Center
500 David J. Stern Walk, Sacramento, (888) 915-4647, golden1center.com
Home to NBA’s Sacramento Kings since its October 2016 debut, the state-ofthe-art downtown arena seats 19,000, boasts farm-to-fork concessions and attracts top performing artists to town.
Harris Center at Folsom Lake College 10 College Parkway, Folsom, (916) 608-6888, harriscenter.net
The performing arts center holds hundreds of public performances a year, including national touring artists and
regional groups, in 850-seat, 200-seat and 100-seat theaters.
Mondavi Center
UC Davis campus, Davis, (530) 7542787, mondaviarts.org.
The region’s premier performing arts venue welcomes world-renowned artists, lecturers and entertainers to its 1,801-seat Jackson Hall and Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, which seats up to 250.
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium 1515 J St., Sacramento, (916) 808-5291, sacramentomemorialauditorium. com
The National Historic Register-listed brick structure is part of the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center Complex.
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center
1400 J St., Sacramento, (916) 808-5291, safecreditunionconventioncenter. com
The city’s newly renamed convention center recently underwent a multimilliondollar renovation and expansion.
SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center
1301 L St., Sacramento, (916) 808-5291, safecreditunionconventioncenter. com
The city’s largest theater space recently underwent a multimilliondollar renovation.
Sutter Health Park
400 Ballpark Drive, West Sacramento, (916) 376-4676, sutterhealthpark.com
Sacramento River Cats’ ballpark hosts concerts, charity runs, festivals and community events.
With 18,500 seats (8,000 reserved, the rest on the lawn) in this open-air amphitheater in farm country 35 minutes north of downtown, owner Live Nation can bring in its big summer tours.
Sacramento Theatre Company
Sports Fans
Whether you’re a fan of NBA basketball, minor league baseball, pro soccer, college sports or long-distance running, Sacramento’s got game.
BASKETBALL
(October–April)
Sacramento Kings: National Basketball Association
Golden 1 Center, 500 David J. Stern Walk, Sacramento, (888) 915-4647 general, (916) 701-5401 box o ce, golden1center. com
In its LEED-certified arena, Sacramento’s NBA franchise continues its quest to become a championship-caliber team. The Kings’ loyal, cowbell-ringing fans are as ready as ever!
Sacramento State Hornets: Big Sky Conference (men’s and women’s)
The Nest gymnasium, Sacramento State campus, 6000 J St., Sacramento, (916) 278-4323, hornetsports.com
University of California, Davis
Aggies: Big West Conference (men’s and women’s)
University Credit Union Center, UC Davis campus, Davis, (530) 752-2471, ucdavisaggies.com
BASEBALL (April–September)
Sacramento River Cats: Pacific Coast League (Triple A)
Sutter Health Park, 400 Ballpark Drive, West Sacramento, (916) 3714487, milb.com/sacramento
The River Cats are the Triple-A a liate for the San Francisco Giants.
ride-paddle triathlon in 2019, using Eppie’s historic course in and along the American River in Rancho Cordova and Sacramento.
Ironman California (October) ironman.com/im-california
After the 2021 race was canceled due to weather, Sacramento held its first Ironman California in 2022, attracting nearly 4,000 athletes from around the world to swim 2.4 miles in the American and Sacramento rivers, bike 112 miles through the Delta and run 26.2 miles on city streets to finish at the state Capitol. The race returns here in 2023.
Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run (June) wser.org
With its inception in 1974, the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race includes a climb of 18,000 feet and a descent of 23,000 feet as it follows the Western States Trail from Olympic Valley near Lake Tahoe through Sierra high country and historic Gold County, finishing in the foothills town of Auburn.
University of California, Davis Aggies: Big Sky Conference
UC Davis Health Stadium, La Rue Road, Davis, (530) 752-2471, ucdavisaggies.com
RUNNING/TRIATHLON
California International Marathon
(First Sunday in December) runsra.org/california-internationalmarathon
The CIM annually attracts thousands of runners from around the world thanks to its fast, net-downhill course that starts near Folsom Dam, gently winds through scenic Sacramento suburbs and ends at the state Capitol. Certified and sanctioned by USA Track & Field, CIM is a Boston Marathon and U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier.
Great American Triathlon (July)
greatamericantriathlon.com
After Eppie’s Great Race ran its 45-year course in 2018, local race enthusiasts introduced this annual no-swim, run-
SOCCER (March–October)
Sacramento Republic FC: United Soccer League
Heart Health Park, Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, (916) 3076100, sacrepublicfc.com
The men’s pro soccer team is a solid contender in the Western Conference of the second-tier league USL Championship and, in 2022, reached the final of the U.S. Open Cup—the first non-MLS club to do so since 2008. Sacramento was awarded an MLS expansion franchise in 2019, with a glam new stadium on the horizon, but those plans remain in limbo awaiting a new lead investor. Meanwhile, Sac Republic’s large, loyal and loud fan base cheers their team on.
Fun
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Outdoors and In
Take advantage of the region’s great weather and many recreational opportunities.
With two major rivers—the Sacramento and the American—convening near downtown, two lakes east of town (Natoma and Folsom), and plenty of parks and trails, the great outdoors beckons here year-round. Winters are mild, springs burst forth with an incredible biodiversity of plant and animal life, and even the hottest summer days are refreshed by cool evening breezes coming off the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. In autumn, Sacramentans relish not only the harvest in this rich agricultural area but the changing colors of the city’s famously thick canopy of trees. So grab your gear, and discover why so many love living here.
Parks
The region is blessed with parks—223 parks and parkways in the city alone—generously shaded by elms, oaks, redwoods and more. Whether you want to meet up with friends for a walk, get in a run or get the kids to a playground, check out these favorites.
Capitol Park
10th, 15th, N and L streets
Surrounding the state Capitol, this 40-acre oasis spanning 12 city blocks boasts a World Peace Rose Garden, 150 buildings, memorials, monuments and points of interest, and more than 200 species of trees, some well over a century old. You’ll see Capitol staffers briskly walking the outer 1.1-mile path on weekdays, and tourists and wedding parties snapping photos on the Capitol’s west steps on weekends.
McKinley Park
Alhambra and McKinley boulevards, H and 33rd streets
With more than 32 acres, this park in stately, residential East Sacramento contains a 1920s-era library, community center and pool, rose garden, duck pond, garden and arts center, tennis courts, basketball court, community-designed playground and 1-mile perimeter running track. A major underground water vault project wrapped up in fall 2021, restoring the sports fields with new sod and additional trees and replacing aging picnic areas and restrooms with new ones.
Southside Park
T, Sixth and Eighth streets
The site of numerous annual festivals, this 20-acre urban park has an amphitheater, pond with fishing piers, ¾-mile running track, basketball courts, tennis courts, swimming complex, and an expansive and engaging playground, much of which is sensory-rich and accessible, with handrails and ramps.
William Land Park
Riverside and Freeport boulevards, 11th and 13th avenues, Sutterville Road
Surrounded by grand older homes in the lovely, leafy Land Park neighborhood, this 166-acre park has it all: sports fields, duck ponds, a playground with summer play pool and nine-hole public golf course. The park also claims three top attractions for families: the Sacramento Zoo; Fairytale Town, a storybook-themed park for young children; and Funderland, an old-school amusement park featuring a carousel, roller coaster, mini train and other rides for families with young children.
Although outside Sacramento city limits, this Folsom park’s many features make it well worth a mention: sports fields, library, art gallery, city hall and community center, two playgrounds and trails to the river, not to mention a rare 12-inch gauge railroad offering 10-minute open-car rides and the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, home to a variety of animals unable to be released back into the wild. Sacramento boasts a number of specialty parks, including
skate parks, off-leash dog parks, spray parks and nearly two dozen parks with community gardens. For a map of the city’s parks and their many amenities, visit cityofsacramento.org/ parksandrec/parks.
Built within and atop a 60-foot-deep, 160-year-old granite quarry, this 5.5-acre family adventure park is filled with zip lines, ropes courses, free falls, climbing walls, a via ferrata, a rappelling station, paddle boats, a waterfall, a “kids kove” for younger children, picnic areas and observation decks.
Tree Top Sac
Heritage Oaks Park
1300 Lake Washington Blvd., West Sacramento, (916) 8931596, treetopsac.com
This Kletterwald USA adventure park features high-ropes obstacle courses with hanging bridges, ladders, slacklines and ziplines amid a grove of heritage valley oaks.
Aquatic Centers and Waterparks
Staying cool in a pool is essential here come summer, when temps can often surpass the century mark.
Elk Grove Aquatics Center
District 56, 9701 Big Horn Blvd., Elk Grove, (916) 405-5600, district56elkgrove.com/aquatics
Complex with 50-meter competition-size pool, 25-yard instruction pool, and zero-entry rec pool with spray features, lazy river and two slides. Memorial Day–Labor Day; lap/fitness swim year-round.
Golfland Sunsplash
1893 Taylor Road, Roseville, (916) 784-1273, golfland.com/roseville
Waterpark’s attractions include 11 thrill slides and coasters, lazy river, 84-footwide wave pool, in-pool play area for younger kids and cabanas. May–September. (Golfland’s two 18-hole miniature golf courses, arcade, bumper cars, race cars and laser tag open year-round.)
Manor Pool
Slide Hill Park, 1525 Tulip Lane, Davis, (530) 758-2000, cityofdavis.org
Complex includes a large lap pool, diving pool, water slide, beach-entry pool and sprayground. Memorial Day–Labor Day; lap/fitness swim year-round.
North Natomas Aquatic Complex
2601 New Market Drive, Natomas, cityofsacramento.org
Opened in April 2022: a 50-meter competition-size pool, 25-yard rec pool, two spiral slides, zero-entry splash pool with play structures and cabanas. Adjacent to new community center. Memorial Day–Labor Day, weekends through October; 10-month lap/fitness swim season.
Multipool complex includes competition-size pool, shallow rec pool, water slide and kids’ water play areas. Memorial Day–Labor Day; lap/fitness swim year-round.
Multipool complex offers rec swimming, slides, in-pool obstacle course and water play area. Memorial Day–Labor Day; lap/ fitness swim year-round.
Wackford Aquatic Complex
9014 Bruceville Road, Elk Grove, (916) 405-5600, yourcsd.com
Multipool complex features wading pool with splash playground, zero-entry pool with water play attractions, competition-size pool with slide, diving boards and inflatable obstacle course. Memorial Day–Labor Day; lap/fitness swim year-round.
Wake Island Waterpark
7633 Locust Road, Pleasant Grove, (916) 655-3900, wakeislandwaterpark.com
Eighty-acre waterpark offers cable wakeboarding, floating obstacle courses, zipline, hamster wheels, paddleboards, sandy beaches and a grill. May–September (April–October for wakeboarding).
West Sacramento Recreation Center Aquatics
2801 Jefferson Blvd., West Sacramento, (916) 617-4770, cityofwestsacramento.org
Multipool complex includes a zero-entry pool, current channel, slides and in-pool play areas. June–August; lap/fitness swim year-round.
Nature Areas With Walking Trails
Cosumnes River Preserve 13501 Franklin Blvd., Galt, (916) 684-2816, cosumnes.org
In the floodplains and riparian habitat along the Cosumnes River south of Sacramento, this 50,000-acre preserve
is home to more than 250 bird species, among other flora and fauna. Bring binoculars and hike the 4 miles of trails (including a 1-mile universally accessible trail and half-mile ADA-accessible boardwalk trail) to spy Swainson’s hawks, tundra swans, sandhill cranes, and other native and migratory birds that winter here, a critical stop along the Pacific Flyway.
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
Ancil Hoffman Park, 2850 San Lorenzo Way (off Tarshes Drive), Carmichael, (916) 876-4918, sacnaturecenter.net
Walk the handful of trails through this 100-acre riparian and oak woodland nature preserve next to the American River to experience what this region once looked like in much of the valley. Visit a replica Nisenan Maidu village, spot jack rabbits, wild turkey, hawks and deer, and stop by the small, kid-friendly museum and store.
The Preserve
District56, 8230 Civic Center Drive, Elk Grove, (916) 6273747, district56elkgrove.com/ thepreserve
Explore this network of trails, wetlands overlooks, grassland meadows and oak woodlands, part of Elk Grove’s amenity-rich District56 (home to The Center events venue, Avenue of the Arts concourse and Elk Grove Aquatics Center). Opened in fall 2021, the 28-acre oasis also features a fitness court, inclusive play equipment, picnic areas and sculpture.
UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden
448 La Rue Road, UC Davis campus, Davis, (530) 752-4880, arboretum.ucdavis.edu
Meander along a paved 3.5-mile loop path through this historic 100-acre living museum, where more than 20 demonstration gardens feature plants native to California and places around the globe with similar dry-summer climates. You also can hit the public trails at nearby Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, a rare stream and grassland ecosystem.
Walking Tours
Local Roots Food Tours (800) 407-8918, localrootsfoodtours.com
Experience the city from a culinary perspective with walking and dining tours of specific neighborhoods, such as Downtown Historical, R Street, Sutter District and Midtown Arts.
Sacramento History Museum
Walking Tours
101 I St., Old Sacramento, (916) 808-7059, sachistorymuseum.org
The museum puts on historical guided walking tours with such themes as Old Sacramento Underground, Gold Fever! and Old City Cemetery Paranormal Investigations.
Sacramento Tree Foundation (916) 924-8733, sactree.org
Take a walking tour of various tree-rich neighborhoods with local tree experts, or visit the nonprofit’s website to download self-guided tree tours of several area parks and sites.
Cycling, Running, Hiking American River Bike Trail
For outdoor enthusiasts, the jewel of the region is the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, commonly known as the American River Bike Trail—though runners, walkers and hikers utilize it as much as cyclists. This nationally recognized trail starts at Discovery Park (at the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers north of downtown) and wends its way through the bucolic American River Parkway, paralleling the American River for 32 miles to Beals Point at Folsom Lake. With trail and river access points and adjacent parks all along the way, it is especially popular on weekends.
Folsom Trails
Folsom is not just an endpoint to the American River Bike Trail, but a bike- and hike-friendly city itself, with more than 50 miles of paved trails for recreational use. A few to try: Humbug-Willow Creek Trail, Folsom Rail Trail, Oak Parkway Trail and Johnny Cash Trail. For an easy nature hike, visit Hinkle Creek Nature Area in Lew Howard Memorial Park. For a map of hiking and cycling routes in Folsom, go to folsom.ca.us or Friends of Folsom Parkways’ website: enjoyfolsomtrails.org.
Lake Natoma Loop Trail, Folsom
This 11.3-mile paved bike and pedestrian trail (with dirt offshoots for runners, walkers and mountain bikers) follows he shoreline, offering lake views and access points.
Miners Ravine Trail, Roseville
A nature-filled haven for wildlife in this bustling suburb, the 8-mile paved bike and pedestrian trail runs along Dry Creek from Old Roseville under Interstate 80 and past residential neighborhoods to Sierra College Boulevard.
Hidden Falls Regional Park, Auburn/Lincoln
Among the 30 miles of trails in this 1,200acre park used for hiking, biking, running and horseback riding is a popular 3-mile stretch that takes you alongside creeks, through wooded areas and by interpretive panels to a 30-foot waterfall outfitted with two observation decks. Online
parking reservations are required for weekends and holidays. placer.ca.gov/ hiddenfalls
Rivers
Sacramento got its start near the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers, which have shaped the region in innumerable ways: geographically, agriculturally, economically, culturally. Experience the River City by getting out on a river and having some fun!
Cruise the Sacramento River
Departing from Old Sacramento Waterfront, City Cruises by Hornblower offers one- to 1 1/2-hour cruises with views of the river and city skyline. Choose from local history- or holiday- theme excursions or a cocktail-themed cruises for the 21 and older crowd. cityexperiences.com/sacramento
River City Queen runs several themed outings and private charters from Old Sacramento Waterfront. rivercityqueen.com
Sac Brew Boat, a pedal-powered chartered party boat, takes guests on river jaunts from Old Sacramento Waterfront. sacbrewboat.com
Sacramento Jetboat Excursions revs up your river experience with 30 minutes of speed, spray, spins and sights. From Old Sacramento Waterfront. sacramentojetboats.com
Raft the Lower American River
Rent a raft (or kayak, tube or paddleboard) for a self-guided trip down the American River. The Class I–II river is popular with DIYers, and young folks out for a good time. Embark near Sunrise Bridge, float to River Bend Park, then return by shuttle. Contact American River Raft Rentals (raftrentals.com) or River Rat Raft & Bike (river-rat.com).
Whitewater Raft the American River Upper Forks
In the foothills east of Sacramento, the upper American River’s three forks— South, Middle and North—are the top whitewater rafting destination in California, offering varying levels of difficulty (Class II–IV) and excitement. But don’t go it alone unless you’re an experienced rafter. Visit californiawhitewater.com for a list of outfitters and tours.
Explore the Delta
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which feeds valley rivers into the San Francisco Bay, encompasses more than 1,000 miles of waterways. Explore the sloughs, islands, marinas and historic Delta towns up close by canoe, kayak, ski boat, wakeboard, paddleboard, houseboat or personal watercraft. For rentals, see deltaboating.com. To learn more about this unique estuarine environment, where fresh water meets salty seawater, stop in at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley. ebparks.org/parks/ big-break
Windsurf and Kiteboard in the Delta
Rio Vista and Sherman Island, about an hour’s drive southwest of Sacramento in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, are an international mecca for windsurfing and kiteboarding, thanks to superb water and wind conditions. Learn more at rvwa-siko.org and deltawindsports.com.
Lakes Folsom Lake
About 25 miles northeast of Sacramento, this drought-sensitive reservoir on the American River (created by Folsom Dam in 1955) attracts boaters, sailors, water skiers, personal watercrafters, paddleboarders, fishers, swimmers, beachgoers and picnickers to its waters and 75 miles of shoreline. The surrounding Folsom Lake State Recreation Area includes nearly 100 miles of trails for hiking, trail running, horseback riding and mountain biking. On the lake’s western side is a campground at Beals Point; on the eastern side is Folsom Lake Marina at Browns Ravine.
Lake Natoma
Downriver from Folsom Lake is slender Lake Natoma, created by Nimbus Dam and part of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. The 5-mile-long lake flanks the city of Folsom and offers picturesque scenery for paddleboarders, kayakers and college crew teams rowing on its calm surface. (Motorized watercraft have a 5-mph speed limit.) Among several boat launch sites is Sacramento State Aquatic Center, which provides instruction and equipment for rowing,
sailing, paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking to the public. Another attraction is Nimbus Fish Hatchery, which raises Chinook salmon and steelhead for release into the river. Learn about the working hatchery at the visitor center (open daily) and watch fish ascend a fish ladder through several large outdoor windows, November–March. You also can visit an adjacent rainbow trout hatchery.
Sacramento State Aquatic Center
1901 Hazel Ave., Gold River, (916) 278-2842, sacstateaquaticcenter.com
Nimbus Fish Hatchery
2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River, (916) 358-2884, wildlife.ca.gov/ fishing/hatcheries/nimbus
Golf
These public golf courses showcase the valley’s natural terrain, albeit sculpted and well-watered.
Ancil Hoffman Golf Course
6700 Tarshes Drive, Carmichael, (916) 482-3813, golfancilhoffman. com
Beautiful 18-hole course along the American River Parkway designed by William Bell in 1965.
Bartley Cavanaugh Golf Course
8301 Freeport Blvd.,
Sacramento, (916) 808-2020, bartleycavanaugh.com
Designed by Perry Dye in 1995, an 18hole championship course close to the Sacramento River.
Bing Maloney Golf Complex
6801 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, (916) 808-2283, bingmaloney. com
Championship 18-hole and express nine-hole courses plus a covered, night-lighted driving range.
Two 18-hole championship courses (Alister MacKenzie and Arcade Creek) plus a lighted, 100-stall, Toptracer-equipped driving range, nine-hole putting course, player performance studio and huge golf shop.
Brad Bell-designed 18-hole championship course adjacent to the Sacramento River with 250 acres of wetlands and native trees, a grass driving range and putting greens.
Voted “best public course in Yolo County,” the tightly manicured 18-hole, Jeff Brauer-designed course frames holes with trees, ponds, bunkers and Covell Creek.
William Land Golf Course 1701 Sutterville Road, Sacramento, (916) 808-1207, williamlandgc.com
Popular nine-hole course in leafy William Land Park is the city’s oldest course, built in 1924.
Indoor Climbing
Want a change of pace from outdoor pursuits? Go climb the walls!
The Boulder Field 8425 Belvedere Ave., Suite 100, Sacramento, (916) 329-8994, theboulderfield.com
Indoor gym offers 10,000 square feet of bouldering space, training and fitness areas, family climbing area and yoga studio in an open layout with workspaces, cafe and shop.
More than 20,000 square feet of indoor, realistic wall space plus a members-only outdoor boulder park.
Rocknasium
720 Olive Drive, Suite S, Davis, (530) 757-2902, rocknasium. com
Community climbing gym since 1992 with 5,500-plus square feet of vertical terrain plus pole dance classes.
Sacramento Pipeworks
116 N. 16th St., Sacramento, (916) 341-0100, touchstoneclimbing. com/pipeworks
Cavernous gym with 14,000 square feet of climbing terrain, 8,000 square feet of bouldering, 40-foot-high lead wall, CrossFit area, full gym, yoga and fitness classes, and pro shop. A training destination for Nor Cal climbers.
More Indoor Fun
Sure, Sacramento’s got skating rinks, bowling allies and trampoline parks, but be sure to check out these spots for that rare rainy day.
Flatstick Pub DOCO
630 K St., Suite 120, Sacramento, (916) 872-0772, tipsyputt.com
With local craft beers on tap, duffleboard tabletop golf games and 18 holes of mini golf, putting has never been this fun. 21 and older after 5 p.m.
Treat the kids to indoor trampolines, climbing walls, ropes and obstacle courses, tubes playground, slam dunk zone, tumble track, bumper cars and an aerial sky rider coaster.
Casinos
With several tribal gaming casinos in the area, you don’t have to travel far to try your luck.
Cache Creek boasts 659 rooms and suites plus a conference space, concert space, two pools and 11 restaurants, complementing its casino, day spa and 18-hole golf course.
Near the Sutter Buttes, this casino offers 1,200 slots, bingo and table games, four dining options, weekend entertainment and River Valley Lodge for overnight guests.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Sacramento at Fire Mountain 3317 Forty Mile Road, Wheatland, (833) 337-3473, hardrockhotelsacramento.com
Opened next to Toyota Amphitheatre in 2019, this casino resort has 1,600 slots and table games, hotel with outdoor pool, multiple dining options and Hard Rock Live, a 2,500-seat concert venue that features A-list entertainers.
The casino has 850 slots, 20 gaming tables and several dining options, and partners with hotels and inns in Jackson and Sutter Creek for overnight guests.
Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson, (800) 822-9466, jacksoncasino.com
Patrons at this 24-hour casino have access to 1,700 slots and video machines, 32 gaming tables, 86-room hotel, pool and spa, RV park, three restaurants and a concert venue.
Red Hawk Casino
1 Red Hawk Parkway, Placerville, (888) 573-3495, redhawkcasino. com
The 24-hour casino has more than 2,500 slots, dozens of table games and six restaurants, with the Apex opening soon: a five-story, 150-room hotel with outdoor pool, fitness center, bowling alley, karting track, arcade, golf simulator, sports bar and grill.
Sky River Casino
1 Sky River Parkway, Elk Grove, (916) 866-0200, skyriver.com
Opened in August 2022, Sacramento County’s first tribal casino has a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor with 2,000 slots and 80 table games, plus 17 bars and restaurants.
Thunder Valley Casino Resort
1200 Athens Ave., Lincoln, (916) 408-7777, thundervalleyresort. com
This 24-hour, four-diamond-rated casino resort has 270,000 square feet of gaming space with 3,500 slots and video machines, 100 table games, live poker and bingo rooms, 18 restaurants and bars, a 408-room luxury hotel, outdoor pool, day spa and banquet hall. Coming soon: The Venue at Thunder Valley, a 4,500-seat entertainment space.
Wings of Inspiration
In fall 2022, two 40-foot winged sculptures were installed in The River District, near Richards Boulevard and N. 12th Street. Titled “Uplift,” they’re part of the city of Sacramento’s metamorphosisthemed public art project that includes seven murals along the N. 12th Street corridor. The sculptures, which will light up at night, were created by Seattle-based artist Vicki Scuri.
