2022 FALL/WINTER VISITORS' GUIDE by Sacramento Magazine

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DEAR VALUED VISITOR,

Welcome to Sacramento! Do you hear that? It’s deﬁnitely festival season in Sacramento.

Over the last few years, Sacramento has become the host of major events like Aftershock and Farm to Fork, with festivals celebrating everything from rock music to Northern California cuisine. And new this year, the ﬁrst GoldenSky country music festival will get people dancing in Sacramento’s Discovery Park in October. Given our great weather, tree-lined outdoor spaces and abundant food and drink options to explore when the show ends, it’s no wonder Sacramento is becoming a mecca for festival fun.

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you might be in town for some of this festival excitement. But regardless of

why you’re visiting Sacramento, we hope you get a chance to explore the tastes, sights, and yes—sounds—that make our city so special.

We’d like to thank you for choosing our city as your destination and hope that you ﬁnd Sacramento a place that welcomes visitors with open arms and invites you to consider this your home away from home.

If you have questions about the City of Sacramento during your stay, please don’t hesitate to visit us at City Hall, located at 915 I St., or you can call my ofﬁce at (916) 808-5300.

SACRAMENTO VISITORS’ GUIDE

ONLY IN SACRAMENTO

Hailed as one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in America, Sacramento got its start as a supply center for prospectors from around the globe during the 1849 Gold Rush. Since 1854, the city has served as the political nucleus of the nation’s most inﬂuential state, with the sixth-largest economy in the world.

PUBLISHER

Dennis Rainey, Sacramento Media

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EDITOR

Brandon Darnell

EDITOR

Krista Minard, Sacramento Media

ART DIRECTOR

John Facundo Jr., Sacramento Media

COVER PHOTO

Gary Ashley, Create+Gather

CONTRIBUTORS

Darlena Belushin

McKay

Marybeth Bizjak

Carrie Boyle

Francisco Chavira

Kara Chin

Michael P. Coleman

Sam Shapiro

Gabriel Teague

Susan Yee

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DIRECTOR

Stephen Rice, Sacramento Media

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GETTING AROUND

Parking Your Car Sacramento is a very walkable city, but with so much to see and do throughout the region, it helps to have an insider’s peek into the best ways to get around.

We know a lot of our visitors drive into Sacramento, and if your hotel doesn’t have a parking garage, or you just need to park for dinner or a visit to a museum, there’s an easier way than just driving around looking for spots. City parking spots in certain areas can be reserved via the ParkMobile app, letting you better plan what time you leave and be conﬁdent that you’ll have parking close to your destination. The ParkMobile app also allows drivers to pay for parking, and if the meter is about to run out, drivers receive an alert on their phones letting them know, with the option to add more money to keep from getting a ticket.

Get to the Airport on RT

In many places in Sacramento, drivers will see a circular sign with a number and a plus sign in it, such as (2+). That sign means that the rate for parking will go up after the ﬁrst two hours, and the meters themselves have the information of exact costs.

Public Transit

For those who prefer to leave the car at home and travel around the region and downtown area, the Sacramento Regional Transit operates an array of buses and light rail lines that quickly and e ciently serve most areas visitors wish to go in California’s capital.

A mobile-optimized website at m.sacrt. com allows riders to plan trips and check real-time bus and train locations as well as the next scheduled stops at each station. The mobile site also makes it easy to ﬁnd information on any delays via its service alerts tab.

Sacramento Regional Transit bus service connects downtown Sacramento to Sacramento International Airport, giving travelers an economical alternative to parking their cars or taking more expensive transit options. Standard fares are $2.50, with discounted tickets for eligible riders coming in at $1.25, and rides for K–12 students are free. Buses run every 20 to 30 minutes, and drop o at the airport from approximately 3:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The direct service stops at both airport terminals as well as several spots in downtown Sacramento on J Street, around the State Capitol, Golden 1 Center arena and several downtown Sacramento hotels. Riders can pay for fares with exact change on the buses themselves or through the ZipPass mobile app, as well as other methods. To read more about payment options, visit SacRT.com. Yolobus will continue to serve the airport as well. When it comes to purchasing and managing tickets, the easiest way is to use the ZipPass mobile app from Sacramento Regional Transit. Tickets can also be purchased at kiosks, but let’s face it—you’re probably more likely to forget where you put a paper ticket than your smartphone.

Share the Mode Look for Lime bikes and scooters within city limits of Sacramento and West Sac. Load the app and grab a ride to take you as far as you need to go. Just park it properly once you’ve arrived. Bird and Helbiz operate scooters in the area as well.

Photo courtesy of Regional Transit

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An Urban Wine Tour

In Sacramento, wine bars, wineries and wine tasting rooms are popping up at an astonishing rate, led by creative, passionate entrepreneurs. As a younger group of wine drinkers explores and experiments, they are choosing wines that are not only delicious but have interesting stories or styles. Starting on page 11, we share a few to try.

Ro Sham Beaux

BY CARRIE BOYLE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUSAN YEE

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Fizz Champagne & Bubbles Bar

Vibe: Casual but chic tasting salon

Fizz is Sacramento’s only lounge dedicated specifically to sparkling wine. Since it opened in DOCO in 2018, bringing bubbles from around the globe, it’s made the beverage an everyday go-to. Fizz’s staffers are passionate, well-informed and more than willing to guide you through your sparkling adventure, no matter your budget or taste. Enjoy sparkling-wine-friendly bites that are thoughtfully curated and prepared, from the rustic (white bean crostini topped with fried sage) to the upscale (oysters on the half shell, caviar service). 615 David J. Stern Walk; (916) 573-3909; fizzinsac. com; IG @fizzinsac

Bailarín Cellars

Vibe: Traditional tasting room that pays homage to Sacramento’s history

The name Bailarín is Spanish for dancer and, says executive director Chris Ryan, “is meant to represent people who love what they do,” including the farmers who grow the fruit from which Bailarín Cel-

lars’ wines are made. Wines include Russian River chardonnay and pinot noir, Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon and more. Order from a small food menu that features truffle popcorn, lavosh flatbreads, and cheese and charcuterie boards. The tasting room also doubles as an espresso bar that serves locally roasted Insight Coffee drinks. 720 K St.; (916) 754-2937; bailarincellars.com/tastingroom; IG @bailarincellars

Good News Wine

Vibe: Wholesome neighborhood diner

Good News Wine feels both retro and modern; it’s easy to settle in and get comfortable at one of the counter seats or booths. Says owner Bennett Cross: “We require that the wines that go on the menu be very delicious, made from grapes that were farmed organically or biodynamically, fermented with native yeast without anything added in the cellar except for a smidge of sulfur from time to time.” Good News also serves up sherry, vermouth, beer, ciders and nonalcoholic beverages. The food menu offers an array of simple but tasty options: bread and butter, olives, cheese and meat boards, toasties (toasted sandwiches) and seasonal salads. 1050 20th St.; (916) 400-0533; goodnewswine. com; IG @goodnewswine

Nico Wine

Vibe: Cheerful wine café

With colorful wine labels lining the walls and a breezy patio, Nico Wine feels cheery and whimsical—more like a candy or soda shop than a traditional wine bar. Its wines are thoughtfully and responsibly made. Sample wines from underrepresented regions, like the Canary Islands, or wines made from grape varieties you won’t find on grocery shelves, like Mission and Cortese. Events are offered frequently, and guests are invited to come drink wine with winery owners and winemakers, learn their story, appreciate their artistry and create connections. Among pre-packaged snack options: artisan cheeses, madeleine cookies and bonbons. 1710 R St.; (916) 400-9925; nicowine.co; IG @ nico_wine_sac

ACROSS SAC

Ro Sham Beaux

Vibe: Fun, chill speakeasy

Ro Sham Beaux is tiny but cozy, with plenty of hipster vibes to go around. Enjoy an eclectic selection of natural wines, by the glass or bottle, that are environmentally friendly and responsibly farmed. Many reflect lower levels of alcohol and sulfites. The wine list is reasonably priced and user-friendly, with abbreviated but descriptive tasting notes for each wine. Staff is always happy to make suggestions. The food menu includes brie grilled cheese on sourdough. For a small, simple nosh, you can purchase tinned fish or a pack of chips. Artisan sodas, beer, craft cocktails and nonalcoholic highballs are also available. 2413 J St.; (916) 3651216; roshambeauxbar.com; IG @ roshambeauxbar

Acheson Wine Company

Vibe: Gathering spot for wine and dog lovers

Lemon-yellow walls greet you as you enter the tiny tasting room that is Acheson Wine Company in Midtown. On one wall, you’ll see posters of murals and artwork that can be found in neighborhoods around the capital city. On the opposite wall, you’ll see a chalkboard listing the available wines, many of which are sourced from Lodi vineyards. What you won’t see are cases upon cases of wine stacked anywhere, because you have walked into a “winery on tap.” The Acheson label started in 2015 as a traditional wine project

Ro Sham Beaux

Bailarín Cellars

ACROSS SAC

but morphed into something less conventional by the time the tasting room opened in 2019. Founders Brian Scott (sommelier) and Steve Burch (winemaker) knew glass wine bottles were heavy to transport and rarely recycled, contributing to the issues of global warming and ever-filling landfills. As a solution, they send wine lovers home with refillable 1-liter wine bottles (with flip tops instead of corks) and encourage them to reuse and refill those bottles with Acheson wines that are stored and poured from kegs. 1629 19th St.; (916) 329-8928; achesonwinecompany.com; IG @achesonwinecompany

Revolution Winery + Kitchen

Vibe: Family-run restaurant and winery

Joe and Gina Genschlea started Revolution Winery in 2007 with the idea of bringing wine back to the city as it had been in pre-Prohibition times. Since then time, the operation has expanded, and now Revolution serves not only as a full-production urban winery, but also as a tasting room and restaurant. The grapes are harvested from local vineyards within a 60-mile radius of the Midtown winery. Revolution specializes in low-intervention wines that embody a sense of place. Revolution’s restaurant offers a menu of

seasonal and locally sourced foods, with a wide variety of plant-based and gluten-free options. The vegan charcuterie board features housemade vegan burrata, smoked carrot lox and crostini, and there’s a vegan chocolate mousse for dessert. 2831 S St.; (916) 444-7711; rev.wine; IG @ revolutionwines

Lucid Winery

Vibe: Traditional winery meets microbrewery

While wine is the focus at Lucid Winery, the atmosphere is more like that of a brew pub, a place where you can play corn hole or beat on a drum while sipping your wine.This tasting room and event space on Sacramento’s R Street is cavernous, but the welcoming staff and décor bring a sense of coziness and comfort. On display is a variety of plants, eye-catching local art and lots of books, and there’s plenty of room to wander and play. The feeling of community is strong, and the winery donates to charity for each bottle sold. Lucid’s core offerings are organic, vegan and naturally made wines served via tap. For nonimbibers, several creative mocktails are available. You can purchase pre-

packaged snacks or order food from surrounding local eateries. 1015 R St.; (916) 384-0076; lucidwinery.com; IG @lucidwinery

Franquette

Vibe: Modern sidewalk cafe/ wine bar

Located in West Sac’s hip Bridge District, Franquette is a French-inspired gathering spot from the team behind Canon, the Michelin-recognized restaurant in East Sac. At Franquette, the focus is on lesser-known producers and regions whose wines are reasonably priced, terroir driven and made with a light hand. Franquette offers French wines that are bright and balanced, making them agreeable partners to a wide range of foods. Order a French cheese, such as a luscious Brillat-Savarin served with baguette and wildflower honey, or indulge in a heartier dish such as duck confit or potatoes au raclette. The food is delicious and noticeably understated, and the wine is integral to the enjoyment of the food. Franquette does everything right and nothing to excess. 965 Bridge St., West Sacramento; hellofranquette.com; IG @franq.uette

Revolution Winery + Kitchen

Franquette

Music Festivals Galore

Sacramento is your new favorite music festival destination. For years, California’s capital laid the groundwork to be the festival destination it is today. From the massively popular Aftershock festival, which , draws visitors from more than 11 countries, to the Farm-to-Fork Festival and the newest one—this year’s GoldenSky country music festival—there’s no shortage —there’s of top-quality acts performing here. When you plan your trip to Sacramento, take a look to see which music festival is going on when you’re in town.

By Brandon Darnell

Francisco Chavira

Aftershock

Aftershock debuted in Sacramento in 2012 with 15,000 attendees and has since grown to be the largest rock festival in California, spanning four days in October and being headlined this year by Slipknot, Kiss, My Chemical Romance and Muse Oct. 6–9. Now held in Sacramento’s Discovery Park, the 302-acre venue can accommodate the tens of thousands of fans who take over the nearby hotels and add an energetic buzz to the downtown core as they experience not only top-tier music, but also the top-quality food and drinks in America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital. Tickets for Aftershock sell out early, so if you’re looking to enjoy the event, visit the Aftershock website and sign up for updates.

GoldenSky

The newest music festival in Sacramento, GoldenSky, is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, the same brain trust behind Aftershock, and it takes place the following weekend, Oct. 15–16, also at Discovery Park. This year’s headliners are Tim McGraw and Sam Hunt, and the event is expected to set the stage for another long-running musical attraction that not only brings in country fans, but showcases the diverse range of Sacramento’s agricultural bounty with a farm-to-fork focus on the food and drinks. Visit Sacramento works closely with Danny

Wimmer Presents to ensure that not only are the musical acts going to bring an audience from far and wide, but also that the visitor experience when fans are in the city is second to none. Spending time in the fall at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers—right at Discovery Park—is always enjoyable, and it provides an ideal setting for the music festivals with easy access and plenty of room for multiple stages and activations, and for festivalgoers to spread out and enjoy themselves. If you’re reading this before the event, there’s likely still time to buy tickets and come to Sacramento so you can say you were there in the beginning.

Farm-to-Fork Festival

While the Farm-to-Fork Festival’s initial concept in 2013 was to celebrate the agricultural bounty of the Sacramento region, music has always been a favorite part of the event and, in recent years, has become more and more of a focus with artists such as The Woods Brothers, Dawes, Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real, and this year’s headliners are Gregory Porter and Japanese Breakfast. The excitement around Japanese Breakfast in particular was palpable upon the announcement in June of this year, just after she performed as the featured musical guest on Saturday Night Live, and those in the know began booking

their travel for the Sept. 23-24 event. Unlike many other music festivals, the Farm-to-Fork Festival is free, and at the event you’ll see not just music fans, but foodies, families and those looking to learn more about where their food comes from and meet those who grow it.

Sol Blume

Fall isn’t the only time for music festivals in Sacramento. Sol Blume is held in the spring, and the hip hop/ soul/R&B festival’s aim is to bring people together for a good time. Organized by Sacramentans who wanted to ensure there was something cool and fun in their city, Sol Blume has hit its mark every year. The 2022 event was held in Discovery Park following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was clear that the festival lost exactly none of its momentum and draw, as fans traveled to experience live music, art, food and more once again. For more on the origin of the festival and why the organizers chose Sacramento, listen to the episode of the Visit Sacramento Podcast with festival co-founder Fornati Kumeh, and make plans to come see the 2023 event in person.

Beyond Festivals

While a music festival is typically multiple days and features multiple artists, there’s still no shortage of live music events in Sacramento worth the trip.

The most notable venue in the city is Golden 1 Center, the downtown arena and concert venue that’s home to the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. A-list acts that have performed since the arena opened in September 2016 include Paul McCartney, Pink, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Tool, Bruno Mars, Metallica, Billie Eilish and many more.

Smaller venues throughout the city also host regular musical events, and places like Ace of Spades, Harlow’s and Memorial Auditorium are all worth checking out when you’re here on your visit. The best place to find the most complete list of events

Francisco Chavira

Farm-to-fork festival

in town is Sacramento365.com. Outside of festivals and traditional concerts, a local favorite is the weekly Concerts in the Park series held in Cesar Chavez Plaza every summer. The free event features local acts as well as talent from outside the region, along with DJs and, of course, plenty of food trucks, drinks and more.

and the food, it’s always a good idea to check who is playing so you can plan your trip for a specific day to see a favorite artist. And when it comes to cost—your fair ticket includes the musical acts as well.

Why Sacramento?

Another place to see a medley of live music is the California State Fair & Food Festival, which is in Sacramento each summer.

While many people tend to focus on the rides

Why does Sacramento appeal to music festival organizers and fans alike? There are many reasons, but Sacramentans are proud of their city (well, most of them, anyway), and not only do they love live music and supporting their favorite artists, it’s a welcoming town for first-time visitors and longtime fans alike where pulling up a stool at the bar while wearing the T-shirt you bought at the festival merch tent is likely to make you a new friend who’ll be happy to share their favorite things about the city, best hidden craft cocktail spot to that one really good neighborhood restaurant o the tourist path to their favorite of the city’s 800+ murals.

So, plan your music festival getaway and while you’re here, wander the tree-lined streets and enjoy the hospitality of the locals. We’ll save you a seat at our restaurants, invite you to experience the art and culture here, and encourage you to join us in doing what we love. But when it comes to festival tickets, you might want to purchase early, because we are buying those VIP passes the moment they go on sale, and if you snooze, you lose.

@sineadharnett, Sol Blume Photo by @virisayong

@buddy, Sol Blume

Photo by @vismarrs

Sol Blume

Farm-to-fork festival

Francisco Chavira

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Sacramento’s Cultural Diversity

Mirrored in our Music Scene

In a number of arenas, Sacramento offers a little bit of everything.

That’s certainly true of those who call the city home. The town was ﬁrst named “America’s Most Diverse City” by Time Magazine 20 years ago, and not much has changed in that regard over the last two decades, with it still garnering recognition for its diversity in the past few years.

Walk any of the city’s streets and, and in addition to our trees (we have more per capita than any city in the country), you’re likely to run into people of a variety of hues who represent a host of cultures. On any given day, you’ll likely overhear conversations in multiple languages—

By Michael P. Coleman

sometimes during the same conversation—at a coffee shop, grocery store, or while taking a stroll down.

The diversity of our music scene mirrors that of our residents. If you’re a music fan, there’s something for you in Sacramento.

Other cities, like New York, Nashville, Detroit, Chicago, or New Orleans may have the name recognition that’s associated with different musical genres, but Sacramento offers some of everything for which those other cities are known. On any given day, somewhere in our 100-square-mile footprint, you’ll get a taste of the best of blues, jazz, dance/electronica, country, R&B, classical or world music.

The Nashville

the West Coast

If you’re into country, Sacramento can’t boast of a venue like Nashville’s Grand Ol’ Opry, but we offer several country music festivals, including this year’s inaugural GoldenSky headlined by Tim McGraw and Sam Hunt. There’s also the annual Country In The Park each May. Sacramento country music fans don’t play—Garth Brooks played two shows a night for three straight weeks here, a few years ago—and the park is packed for this event. If you like your honky tonk at a smaller venue, Harlow’s downtown offers country music, with a smidgeon of everything else, along with dinner and drinks. And don’t forget Goldﬁeld in the center of the Downtown/ Midtown grid.

Tree Town Is Motown

For R&B fans, the River City can’t rival Detroit’s or Philadelphia’s run on the classics. But on any given day, we’re in the ballpark, with Taste Of Soul, Jazz, Blues & R n B Fest, V101FM’s annual Summer Jam, and a variety of other events that offer vintage soul music.

The town’s got cred: You can’t go wrong with a city that spawns ’80s and ’90s sensation Club Nouveau (remember their killer, chart-topping cover of Bill Withers’ “Lean On Me?”), right?

Speaking of cred, Art of Soul is presented by Sacramento’s Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum. And if what I call Bubblegum R&B is your thing, ’90s “soul” musical curiosity New Kids On The Block is bringing their Mixtape Tour to town.

Need something harder? (Although anything’s harder than NKOTB, right?) Sacramento has been home to a number of emerging rap and hip-hop artists since the 1990s, paralleling the Northwest region’s grunge-era music. Artists include M’ster Lewis (who promotes social consciousness through hip-hop), Kali Streetz (who’s heavily inﬂuenced by Kanye West and Philly Freeway), the duo Jive Hive, and underground hip-hop artist Noni Blanco, who follows in the footsteps of Sacramento rapper Mozzy Lighter Sounds

Prefer something softer? Sacramento often hosts middle-of-the-road acts such as Celine Dion and Johnny Mathis. Chances are, if that’s your cup of tea, you’ll ﬁnd a show you’ll never forget somewhere in town.

If classical music is your thing, internationally renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli regularly plays the Golden 1 Center, to standing-room-only, enraptured audiences, and he’s coming back later this year. The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera draws ’em in on the regular. And the Crocker Art Museum hosts a series of monthly classical music concerts throughout the year.

Rock & Roll in Sac

Headliners will include Slipknot, Kiss, My Chemical Romance and Muse along with dozens of other artists including Judas Priest, Evanescence, Rob Zombie, Papa Roach, Stone Temple Pilots and Bad Religion

Cleveland may be home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but our annual Aftershock puts anything they can dish out to shame. And there’s also Punk In Drublic Sacramento in Sacramento’s Heart Health Park every spring, offering the best of punk rock (along with healthy doses of beer) to anyone brave enough to give it a try.

Meet Sacramento’s Dennis McBride

The Old Sacramento Waterfront takes you back to the Gold Rush era, and along with preserving the architecture and ﬂavor of Sacramento’s founding days, Old Sac’s stoops double as stages for local music artists like Dennis McBride.

McBride takes the stage in front of Brannan Manor every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. As I walked by one weekend in early summer, he’d just launched into a searing version of Rufus & Chaka Khan’s “Sweet Thing,” which was followed by Heatwave’s “Always & Forever” and The Eagles’ “Desperado,” and he shut the street down for a few minutes on a Sunday afternoon.

“When the pandemic hit, you couldn’t book a band anymore,” McBride shared with me by phone. “That’s why I created that stage in Old Sac a couple of years ago. I grabbed my guitar and went down and started busking. That’s the way I share my love with the world. It allows for real community between the artist and the listener. I’m a singer who plays instruments. The only music I don’t love is music you can’t feel.” McBride feels every note he sings, and you will, too.

For the LBGTQ Community— Who Needs SF?

Oh, yeah, let’s not forget Sacramento’s Midtown! It’s home to the hub of the city’s LGBTQ community, and venues including Badlands, which hosts “Fridays Are a Drag” each month and, along with Faces, some of the best drag shows east of San Francisco’s Castro District. Their performers draw audiences of all sexual orientations and gender expressions, and acts that take the word “theater” to a whole new level.

Musical Theater

On the other end of the sonic spectrum, Aftershock, a rock and heavy metal music festival is returning to Sacramento’s Discovery Park this fall.

now presenting in its new SAFE

McBride’s exhibition of talent during his multi-format set was a perfect example of the phenomenal artistic diversity of the Sacramento music scene.

Broadway Sacramento has been bringing Broadway’s best musical theater to town for over 30 years, now presenting in its new home, the beautiful SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, part of Sacramento’s Convention Center complex. Between their Broadway Sacramento and Music Circus series, many of musical theater’s Sacramento fans enjoy the best of the Great White Way, all year.

To find out about what’s going on in Sacramento on any given day of the year, check out sacramento365.com.

Andrea Bocelli

Punk in Drublic Sacramento Festival

The Secret Garden, Broadway at Music Circus

Tim Engle Heels

On Display MUSEUMS

Such variety. So many exhibits.

SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity is Sacramento’s newest museum. (Locals refer to it as MOSAC.) Housed in an old power station on the banks of the Sacramento River just north of the Old Sacramento Waterfront, this interactive museum features science exhibits that appeal to all ages. The more than 100 exhibits cover health, engineering, water, energy and space.

With a newly renovated and expanded space, the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum tells the story of African-American history, experiences and culture through art education and outreach. In addition to the exhibits and storytelling, an African marketplace on the third Saturday of each month sells artwork, homemade dishes, crafts and clothing.

The Sacramento History Museum has a viral TikTok channel with more than 1 million followers thanks to its fun presentation of some of the museum’s best features. The museum dives deep into the region’s roots, celebrating the cultural heritage of the Nisenan, Miwok, Patwin and Maidu people, the Gold Rush and Sacramento’s emergence as an agricultural powerhouse.

seum west of the Mississippi. Discover the role the railroad played in California history, including the Golden Spike exhibit dedicated to the Transcontinental Railroad, which was completed in 1869. You can hop on an excursion train for a ride through the countryside.

For ﬁne arts, Crocker Art Museum is a must-see. Split into two wings—a historic Victorian mansion and a contemporary stateof-the-art facility that opened in 2010, the museum exhibits works from antiquity all the way up to contemporary times. Special rotating exhibits are always popular, and the museum is perhaps best known for its collection of paintings by California Impressionists.

The California Museum celebrates our state’s history and diversity, and is well-known for its California Hall of Fame awards. Ongoing exhibitions include “California Indians: The First People,” “Health Happens Here” and “Gold Mountain: Chinese Californian Stories.”

LARGER THAN LIFE

Vincent van Gogh’s art is at the center of a trending global phenomenon: the immersive exhibit. “Van Gogh: e Immersive Experience” is a 360-degree light and sound spectacular that uses cutting-edge technology to animate the Dutch post-Impressionist’s work into images that stretch across walls and dance across oors, and can be viewed while reclining in a chair or with a virtual reality headset. e traveling show is scheduled to stay in the region through December.

31 15th St., West Sacramento vangoghexpo.com/sacramento

GALLERIES

Here are just a few of the galleries that call Sacramento home.

Axis Gallery— is artist-run space is housed within the Verge Center for the Arts building and exhibits stimulating contemporary work in all media. 625 S St., Sacramento. axisgallery.org

Viewpoint Photographic Art Center—Traditional black-and-white and color processes, alternative approaches such as pinhole, Polaroid manipulations and digital photography are all represented here. 2015 J St., Sacramento. (916) 441-2341 viewpointgallery.org

Kennedy Gallery—A-minority based space, the “Jewel of Midtown” has 20 resident artists, about half of whom are women and half are persons of color and LGBTQ. 1931 L St., Sacramento. (916) 400-4272. kennedygallery.net

The California State Railroad Museum houses 19 steam engines and more than a dozen railroad cars, making it the largest railroad mu-

Sacramento Area Museums (sacmuseums.org) is a great resource for everything related to museums in the area. It also puts on events such as Free Museum Day.

Elliott Fouts Gallery—EFG displays representational and still life paintings at its 5,600-squarefoot space in Midtown. e gallery also features Funk Ceramics, and maintains a resale collection. 1831 P St., Sacramento. (916) 736-1429. efgallery.com

On the evening of the second Saturday of each month, area galleries throw open their doors for receptions and viewings. It’s a good time to peruse several galleries in one outing and mingle with fellow art lovers.

Dan Swartz for Exhibition Hub

PERFORMING ARTS

B STREET THEATRE

One of Sacramento’s favorite local theater groups brings original plays to its multistage theater, The Sofia. Founded by actor Timothy Busfield in 1986 as a theater for children, B Street now has a Mainstage and a Family Series. The Sofia is also home to concerts and other acts. 2700 Capitol Ave., Sacramento. (916) 443-5300 ext. 1. bstreettheatre.org

BROADWAY SACRAMENTO

See some of the ﬁnest plays from Broadway here in Sacramento at the renovated SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. Coming this season: “Come from Away,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Frozen” and more. 1301 L St., Sacramento. (916) 557-1999. broadwaysacramento.com

of “Come From Away”

CAPITAL STAGE

This popular theater company is located in the heart of Midtown. Known for its thought-provoking shows, Cap Stage presents “The Royale,” “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley” and “The Chinese Lady,” as just part of its 2022/2023 season. 2215 J St., Sacramento. (916) 995-5464. capstage.org

SACRAMENTO BALLET

Since 1954, Sacramento Ballet has brought the “wow” factor through the beauty of bodies moving to music. Among this season’s offerings: Beer & Ballet, “The Nutcracker” and “Swan Lake.” 2420 N St., Sacramento. (916) 552-5810. sacballet.org

SACRAMENTO PHILHARMONIC & OPERA

From Beethoven’s dynamic “Eroica” to Ravel’s hypnotic “Bolero,” the Philharmonic & Opera this season plans to perform some of the most celebrated compositions of all time. Expect renowned guest conductors and soloists, and two dazzling operatic programs. 1301 L St., Sacramento. (916) 808-5181. sacphilopera.org

You’ll ﬁnd so much material for entertainment and inspiration during STC’s season of Curiosity, Intrigue and Suspense, which starts with “Murder on the Orient Express.” Other programs include a cabaret, a concert and a youth series. 1419 H St., Sacramento. (916) 443-6722. sactheatre.org

Photo courtesy of The Soﬁa

Photo by Marissa Gearhart

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley Melissa Brausch, Brittni Barger

Photo by Charr Crail

Violinist Tai Murray Photo courtesy of Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera

Company

Photo by Matthew Murphy

ACCOMMODATIONS

STAY AWHILE

SACRAMENTO’S BEST PLACES TO STAY

For a list of all Sacramento-area hotels, please visit our online accommodations directory at visitsacramento.com/hotels

DOWNTOWN/OLD SACRAMENTO WATERFRONT

AMBER HOUSE INN OF MIDTOWN, 1315 22nd St. 95816; (916) 444-8085; amberhouse.com

AMERICA’S BEST VALUE INN, 430 16th St. 95814; (916) 444-3670; abvidowntownsacramento.com

BEST WESTERN SANDMAN MOTEL, 236 Jibboom St. 95811; (916) 443-6515; bestwestern.com/prop-05240

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT–SACRAMENTO MIDTOWN, 4422 Y St. 95817; (916) 445-6800; marriott.com/saccy

DELTA KING HOTEL, 1000 Front St. 95814; (800)825-5464, (916) 444-5464; deltaking.com

ECONO LODGE DOWNTOWN, 711 16th St. 95814; (916) 443-6631; choicehotels.com/california/sacramento/econo-lodge-hotels

EMBASSY SUITES SACRAMENTO HOTEL, 100 Capitol Mall 95814; (916) 326-5000; sacramento.embassysuites.com

FORT SUTTER HOTEL, 1308 28th St. 95814; (916) 603-2301; fortsutterhotel.com

HAMPTON INN & SUITES AT CSUS, 1875 65th St. 95819; (916) 451-1135; hilton.com/en/hotels/sacsuhx-hampton-suites-sacramento-at-csus

HOLIDAY INN SACRAMENTO DOWNTOWN–ARENA, 300 J St. 95814; (916) 446-0100; holidayinnsacramento.com

HYATT CENTRIC DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO, 1122 7th St. 95814; (916) 371-7000; hyattcentricdowntownsacramento.com

HYATT REGENCY SACRAMENTO, 1209 L St. 95814; (916) 443-1234; sacramento.regency.hyatt.com

INN OFF CAPITOL PARK, 1530 N St. 95814; (916) 447-8100; innoffcapitolpark.com

KIMPTON SAWYER HOTEL, 500 J St. 95814; (916) 545-7100; sawyerhotel.com

LA QUINTA, 200 Jibboom St. 95811; (916) 448-8100; lq.com

QUALITY INN, 818 15th St. 95814; (916) 444-3980; qualityinn.com/hotel/ca505

RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT SACRAMENTO DOWNTOWN AT CAPITOL PARK, 1121 15th St. 95814; (916) 443-0500; marriott.com/sacdt

SHERATON GRAND SACRAMENTO, 1230 J St. 95814; (916) 447-1700; sheraton.com/sacramento

SURESTAY PLUS HOTEL BY BEST WESTERN, 350 Bercut Dr. 95811; (916) 497-0955; heritagehotelgroup.com/sacramento-ca-hotel

VAGABOND EXECUTIVE INN–OLD TOWN, 909 Third St. 95814; (916) 446-1481; vagabondinn-sacramento-old-town-hotel.com

THE CITIZEN HOTEL, 926 J St. 95814; (916) 447-2700; citizenhotel.com

THE EXCHANGE HOTEL, 1006 Fourth St., 95814; (916) 931-3300; hilton.com/en/hotels/smfsaqq-the-exchange-sacramento

THE WESTIN SACRAMENTO, 4800 Riverside Blvd. 95822; (916) 443-8400; westinsacramento.com

MOTEL 6, 623 16th St. 95814; (916) 476-4499; wyndhamhotels.lcom/travelodge

NATOMAS/AIRPORT

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT SACRAMENTO AIRPORT NATOMAS, 2101 River Plaza Dr. 95833; (916) 922-1120; marriott.com/sacch

FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES SACRAMENTO AIRPORT NATOMAS, 2730 El Centro Rd. 95833; (916) 923-7472; marriott.com/sacwn

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON SACRAMENTO AIRPORT, 4900 Duckhorn Dr. 95834; (916) 263-9000; fourpointssacramentoairport.com

HILTON GARDEN INN SACRAMENTO/SOUTH NATOMAS, 2540 Venture Oaks Wy. 95833; (916) 568-5400; sacramento.hgi.com

HOMEWOOD SUITES SACRAMENTO AIRPORT/NATOMAS, 3001 Advantage Wy. 95834; (916) 263-9510; sacramentoairport.homewoodsuites.com

RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT SACRAMENTO AIRPORT NATOMAS, 2618 Gateway Oaks Dr. 95833; (916) 649-1300; marriott.com/hotels/travel/sacsn-residence-inn-sacramento-airport-natomas

SPRINGHILL SUITES BY MARRIOTT, 2555 Venture Oaks Wy. 95833; (916) 925-2280; marriott.com/sacsh

TOWNEPLACE SUITES AIRPORT/NATOMAS, 4090 East Commerce Wy. 95834; (916) 419-8811; marriott.com/hotels/travel/sacta-towneplace-suites-sacramento-airport-natomas

WYNDHAM GARDEN SACRAMENTO AIRPORT, 2298 Terracina Dr. 95834; (916) 419-2222; wyndhamsac.com

CACHE CREEK CASINO RESORT

ARDEN STAR HOTEL, 1413 Howe Ave. 95825; (916) 999-1233; ardenstarhotel.com

CAL EXPO RV PARK, 1600 Exposition Blvd. 95815; (916) 263-3187; calexpo.com

COMFORT INN & SUITES, 21 Howe Ave. 95826; (916) 379-0400; comfortinnsacramento.com

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT, CAL EXPO, 1782 Tribute Rd. 95815; (916) 929-7900; marriott.com/hotels/travel/sacce-courtyard-sacramento-cal-expo

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON SACRAMENTO, 2001 Point West Wy. 95815; (916) 929-8855; doubletreesacramento.com

BY MARRIOTT SACRAMENTO CAL EXPO, 1780 Tribute Rd. 95815; (916) 920-5300; marriott.com/sacxp

HAMPTON INN & SUITES, 2230 Auburn Blvd. 95821; (916) 927-2222; sacramentoauburnblvd.hamptoninn.com

HILTON SACRAMENTO ARDEN WEST, 2200 Harvard St. 95815; (916) 922-4700; hilton.com

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES CAL EXPO, 2224 Auburn Blvd. 95821; (916) 923-1100; hiexpress.com/sacramentone

HOTEL MED PARK, SACRAMENTO, 2356 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817; (916) 455-4000; choicehotels.com/california/sacramento/ascend-hotels/

LARKSPUR LANDING, 555 Howe Ave. 95825; (916) 646-1212; larkspurlanding.com/sacramento

LIONS GATE HOTEL, 3410 Westover St. 95652; (916) 643-6222; lionsgatehotel.com

RODEWAY INN, 25 Howe Ave. 95826; (916) 386-8408; choicehotels.com/california/sacramento/rodeway-inn-hotels/cah72

TOWNEPLACE SUITES SACRAMENTO CAL EXPO, 1784 Tribute Rd. 95815; (916) 920-5400; marriott.com/saccx

WYNDHAM SACRAMENTO, 5321 Date Ave. 95841; (916) 338-5800; wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham/sacramento-california/wyndham-sacramento/overview

GREATER SACRAMENTO AREA

CACHE CREEK CASINO RESORT, 14455 Highway 16, Brooks, CA 95606; 800-992-8686; cachecreek.com

JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO RESORT, 12222 New York Ranch Rd. Jackson 95642; (800) 822-WINN; jacksoncasino.com

LA QUINTA INN & SUITES, 11131 Folsom Blvd., Rancho Cordova; (888) 312-2399; wyndhamhotels.com/laquinta/rancho-cordova-california/la-quinta-rancho-cordova-sacramento

SACRAMENTO MARRIOTT RANCHO CORDOVA, 11211 Point East Dr., Rancho Cordova; (916) 638-1100; marriott.com/hotels/travel/sacmc-sacramento-marriott-rancho-cordova

SPRINGHILL SUITES, 3455 Reed Ave., West Sacramento 95605; (916) 873-8222; marriott.com/hotels/travel/sacsw-springhill-suites-west-sacramento

THE MURIETA INN AND SPA, 7337 Murieta Dr. Rancho Murieta 95683; (916) 345-3900; themurietainn.com

Neighborhood Spotlight Little Saigon

Nestled between Fruitridge and Florin roads on Stockton Boulevard you’ll find Sacramento’s Little Saigon. Officially established in 2010, this bustling 2-mile stretch hosts a Vietnamese microcosm that includes restaurants, grab-and-go lunch spots, mom-and-pop shops and Asian markets. Whether you’re looking for family-owned shops to support, a steaming-hot bowl of pho or a beautifully decorated cake, Little Saigon fulfills your needs while also giving you a chance to enjoy a wide-range of Vietnamese cuisine and culture.

By Kara Chin

Starting on the south end of Stockton Boulevard near 65th Street, you can begin by exploring a diverse set of shopping centers. On the west side, at the far end of Pacific Rim Plaza, is Bánh Cuốn Tây Hồ Restaurant (6840 65th St.). While it serves a variety of Vietnamese dishes, it is aptly named after a specialty called bánh cuôn, a Northern Vietnamese dish of freshly steamed rice wrappers that are rolled around fillings like pork, mushrooms and shrimp

Just up the street, Stockton Square Shopping Center is home to Giò Chả Đức Hương Sandwiches (6825 Stockton Blvd.). Be sure to get there early for the best selection from an amazing variety of fresh banh mi sandwiches, spring rolls and Vietnamese pastries to go Sandwiched between a soft, crisp yet chewy bread roll, the banh

mi is layered with pickled carrots and daikon, cilantro, jalapeños and your choice of pork or chicken filling. A large sandwich is only $6, and many customers order multiples as they keep well for lunch the next day.

A few doors down is Đệ Nhất Khô Bò (6825 Stockton Blvd.), a small, bright store with rows of containers filled with pickled mangoes, candies, dried fruit, seafood and jerkies. With more than 20 jerky flavors, from BBQ to spicy papaya, this is a must-stop for jerky fanatics or people seeking to explore new snacks, sweet treats and pantry staples. You’ll also find a freezer section stocked with freshly filled steamed buns and seafood.

At one end of Stockton Square Shopping Center, with outdoor seating and soothing cafe music, lies Pegasus

Pegasus Bakery & Cafe

Đệ Nhất Khô Bò

Bakery & Cafe (6825 Stockton Blvd.).

This Hong Kong-style bakery is a dessert lover’s dream, offering treats such as soft buns filled with coconut and custard, a build-your-own-crêpe station and macaron ice cream sandwiches. This family-owned bakery makes everything fresh daily, including beautifully decorated cakes with fillings like mango, pandan or durian.

If you’re looking for vegetarian or vegan-friendly options, across the street you’ll find Hương Sen Tofu (6830 Stockton Blvd.) and Bodhi Bowl (6511 Savings Plaza). Hương Sen Tofu offers a wide variety of tofu products that include mushroom tofu, fried tofu, fresh soymilk and tofu pudding. Tucked among the shelves you’ll also find cooking sauces and other pantry staples. Bodhi Bowl is a vegetarian restaurant that serves hot and cold Vietnamese noodle and rice dishes. Many of the dishes feature tofu or jackfruit as a meat alternative, along with a lot of fresh vegetables. A number of vegan options are clearly depicted on the menu.

Traveling north toward Fruitridge Road is Minh Phat Fabric Store (6428 Stockton Blvd.), a family-owned fabric and craft store that is packed with rolls of silks, vibrant textiles and shimmering sequined fabrics along with tassels and beads.

is a hidden gem for those who enjoy craft and sewing projects.

On the next block is Kitchen Plus (6340 Stockton Blvd.), a well-organized kitchen supply and home decor store with row upon row of pots, pans, bakeware, kitchenware and gadgets that will have restaurateurs and home cooks delighting in the variety. You’ll also find clothing and kids toys.

For everyday grocery shopping, visit Vinh Phat Supermarket (6105 Stockton Blvd.). This well-stocked store carries dried goods, sauces and Asian cooking staples such as frozen dumpling wrappers and fish balls. A whole wall is dedicated to fresh meat, poultry and hot foods like roast duck and pork. Adjacent to the meat section, the produce section is green and lush with piles of Asian vegetables and fruits that are often difficult to find at a conventional grocery store. Rounding out our tour of Little Saigon is Pho Bac Hoa Viet (6645 Stockton Blvd.), which routinely wins awards for best Vietnamese food in Sacramento. With plenty of space to accommodate many diners and a bright dragon mural, this casual eatery is a fun spot for a group lunch or family dinner. Try the comforting pho or the fresh spring rolls along with chow fun, grilled plates, banh mi and stir-fries.

This

Pho Bac Hoa Viet

Giò Chả Đức Hương Sandwiches

As the weather gets colder, the offerings at Sacramento restaurants get richer, warmer and more filling. It’s comfort food at its best.

Take Comfort

By Marybeth Bizjak

Autumn in California’s capital city is a glorious time, when the thermometer-melting temperatures of summer blessedly dip from their triple digits and a slight nip in the air gives everyone a new lease on life. Sacramento restaurants gear up for the cold-weather months with new menus filled with exciting versions of comfort food. Here is a look at what you can expect this fall from 10 of the city’s top restaurants.

Ella Dining Room + Bar, a swanky, sophisticated restaurant just a stone’s throw from the new convention center, is known for its innovative cuisine, elegant presentation and attentive service. Here, you’ll dine on elevated versions of comfort food such as roasted bone marrow, lobster bisque and lobster truffled mac and cheese. Proteins such as beef tenderloin and Wagyu strip loin are roasted over a wood fire in the open kitchen. There’s a raw bar if you’re into fresh, briny oysters (always good in month with an R in its name!),

and the cocktail bar turns out exquisite farm-to-glass cocktails using seasonal and local ingredients. Ella is owned by the Selland restaurant group, whose demonstration-style restaurant The Kitchen on Hurley Avenue was Sacramento’s first restaurant to get a coveted Michelin star. 1131 K St.; (916) 443-3772; elladiningroomandbar

At Camden Spit & Larder, you’ll feel transported to a modern London brasserie. This Capitol Mall eatery (popular with local lawyers, lobbyists and legislators) is chicly designed with gleaming brass, rich leather and masculine haberdashery fabrics. Chef/owner Oliver Ridgeway is a British transplant, and his food may remind you of upscale takes on British schoolboy favorites such as sausage rolls and English meat pie. The rotisserie turns out hearty mains like spit-roasted chicken, and a grilled New York steak comes with beeffat hash browns, an addition sure to keep you fueled on a chilly evening. Happy-hour fare, served in Camden’s cozy bar (named Winston’s after Britain’s famed prime minister, Winston Churchill), includes English dip sliders (roast beef and smoked cheddar on brioche rolls), “dirty Winston fries” topped with chorizo and Cotija cheese, and some of those delightful sausage rolls, served with English mustard and curried ketchup for dipping. Wash

it all down with a Larder Old Fashioned before heading out into the brisk night air and we promise you won’t feel a thing. 555 Capitol Mall; (916) 619-8897; camdenspitandlarder.com

One of the region’s original farm-to-fork restaurants, Mulvaney’s B&L is a genuine and much-loved Sacramento institution. Owner Patrick Mulvaney has relationships with virtually every farmer and rancher within 50 miles, and you can see the fruits of those relationships on every plate. The menu changes daily, so it’s hard to predict what you might find on any given night. But Mulvaney has a way with pork, and you really can’t lose if you order thusly. He also embraces his Irish heritage with a starter of house-smoked salmon served with Irish brown bread. Dessert is often whimsical; try the house-made Ding Dong (an individual-sized chocolate cake with chocolate glaze and the distinctive white squiggle you remember from your childhood) or the Pig Newton (cinnamon ice cream with candied bacon and figs). 1215 19th St.; (916) 441-6022; mulvaneysbl.com

Christopher Barnum Dann, the visionary chef behind Localis, has been on a bit of a roll lately: In the past year, he was a semi-finalist for a James Beard award, and he competed on the Discovery+ TV show “The Globe” and appeared on TV’s “Live With Kelly and Ryan,” cooking with show co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest. Whew! And that doesn’t even take into account his role as one of the city’s most exciting chefs. At Localis, he serves up a constantly changing chef’s tasting menu based on the best ingredients available. Choose from two options—seven courses or 12—and prepare to be amazed as ringmaster Barnum Dann works his magic. Each dish looks like a work of art—exquisitely plated and as colorful as a painter’s palette. Sit at the chef’s counter if you want

to enjoy the show or in the dining room for a more intimate experience. 2031 S St.; (916) 737-7699; localissacramento.com

Molly Hawks and Michael Fagnoni are the talented and charming married couple behind Hawks Public House. It’s their second restaurant (their Hawks in nearby Granite Bay is justly acclaimed), and it is everything you would want in a dinner house, serving fine food in a cozy and unpretentious atmosphere. The Mediterranean-focused menu includes house-made pastas, such as rigatoni with a pork shoulder ragu, and hearty proteins like steamed mussels, roasted chicken and grilled wild salmon. Even the burger here is top-rate; they hand-grind Wagyu beef in the walk-in refrigerator to keep it cold and fresh, which results in a fabulous, beefy patty. 1525 Alhambra Blvd.; (916) 588-4440; hawkspublichouse.com

Hawks Public House

Debbie Cunningham

Camden Spit & Larder

Helmed by the Michelin-benighted Brad Cecchi (who twice earned a star at Calistoga’s Solbar), Canon in East Sac is a neighborhood restaurant that draws diners from all over with its innovative cuisine. The seasonal menu concentrates on fun, sharable noshes such as chicken drumsticks with Urfu chili sauce, served in a puddle of yogurt, and house-made tater tots with a rich mole sauce. Entrée “platters” such as a whole chicken or whole fish can feed the whole family. Vegetables also get a whole lot of love here; you might find potato and cabbage pierogis on the menu, if you’re lucky, or perhaps grilled broccolini with trumpet mushrooms, peanut butter miso and house-made kimchi. Incidentally, Cecchi’s Franquette café and wine bar in West Sac is a smaller, more casual operation than Canon, but it, too, is a hit with both locals and out-of-towners.

1719 34th St.; (916) 469-2433; canoneastsac.com

It doesn’t matter if your group includes both diehard carnivores and passionate herbivores; Beast + Bounty has you covered. A massive open hearth with a roaring live fire is the stage for the restaurant’s inventive chefs, who use smoke, ash and coal as ingredients in many of the dishes. From the “beast” side of the menu, you might order a hearth-grilled half chicken with grilled treviso, or perhaps a mixed grill that includes hamachi collar,

short rib and pork belly. From the “bounty” side, look for dishes like coal-roasted carrots with green harissa and dukkah, or soy-glazed grilled yam with miso aioli, pickled shiitake and leek ash. The menu also includes pizzas (cooked over wood, of course) and fresh pastas. Word to the wise: The Parker House rolls are not to be missed. 1701 R St.; (916) 244-4016; eatbeastandbounty.com

Frank Fat’s has a storied history: Open since 1939, it is the oldest restaurant in Sacramento continuously owned by the same family. Generations of Sacramentans and countless local lawmakers have gathered in its sophisticated dining room to enjoy Frank Fat’s upscale take on Chinese food, including favorites such as honey walnut prawns, New York steak smothered in sautéed onions and oyster sauce, Peking duck and brandy fried chicken. The food and service here are top-notch, with everything executed to perfection. Save room for dessert: Fat Fat’s is justly famous for its banana cream pie, a towering confection of custard, fresh fruit and soft clouds of whipped cream. 806 L St.; (916) 442-7092; frankfats. com

Located in East Sacramento, the modern Italian seafood restaurant Allora is a great choice for a special occasion or a leisurely evening over fine food. The prix-fixe menu offers a choice of three, four or five

courses. Start with a raw course of carne cruda or oysters, proceed to a pasta such as fettuccine with lobster and prawns (all the pastas are made in-house, of course), then move on to the main course, with choices such as a meltingly tender 72-hour braised short rib. You can also order “additions” such as caviar service and seasonal offerings like truffles and wild foraged mushrooms. The owners are a married couple: Chef Deneb Williams handles the kitchen, while Elizabeth-Rose Mandalou, a certified sommelier, oversees the cellar, which concentrates on interesting Italian wines. 5215 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 538-6434; allorasacramento. com

Local foodies are positively wild for Binchoyaki, a Japanese izakaya-style restaurant in Sacramento’s Southside Park neighborhood. Binchoyaki is particularly well known for its little skewers of grilled meats, such as chicken thigh, pork belly, New York strip steak, duck breast, beef tongue and chicken hearts. But Binchoyaki also serves a wide selection of Japanese foods, including sashimi and ramen, perfect for a cold evening. There’s also an excellent kids’ menu, with options for chicken karaage, shrimp and vegetable tempura or chicken skewers. Each child’s plate comes with miso, edamame, furikake gohan or fries, and an arabiki corn dog. 2226 10th St.; (916) 469-9448; binchoyaki.com

Kevin Fiscus

Binchoyaki

EVENT CALENDAR

’TIS THE SEASON FOR LOCAL FUN

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SACRAMENTO

As the year-round source for Sacramento events, Sacramento365 features comprehensive listings of arts, culture and recreational activities, allowing you to experience all Sacramento has to o er. Visit Sacramento365.com at any time and search by date or category to ﬁnd outings that pique your interest!

OCTOBER:

Through Oct. 2 California Capital Airshow Mather Airport California CapitalAirshow.com

Oct. 1 Natomas Oktoberfest

Westlake Community Park Natomas Oktoberfest.com

Oct. 5–30 Plenty O’ Pumkin’s Patch

Old Sacramento Waterfront OldSacramento.com

Oct. 6–9 Aftershock Festival Discovery Park AftershockFestival.com

Oct. 6–27 Movies Under the Stars

Old Sacramento Waterfront OldSacramento.com

Oct. 7–9 Sacramento Greek Festival Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church SacramentoGreekFestival.com

Oct. 9 Amy Schumer: Whore Tour Memorial Auditorium Ticketmaster.com

Oct. 9 Eshu Tune (Hannibal Burress) Harlow’s Harlows.Com

Oct. 12 Sacramento Speaker Series: Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson

SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center SacramentoSpeakers.com

Oct. 14 A Place Called Sacramento Film Festival Premiere Crest Theatre AccessSacramento.org

Oct. 14 Randy Rainbow: The Pink Glasses Tour

SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center Ticketmaster.com

Oct. 14 Día de Los Muertos Fiesta California Museum CaliforniaMuseum.org

Oct. 15 & 16 GoldenSky Festival Discovery Park GoldenSkyFestival.com

Oct. 18 Karol G: $trip Love Tour

Golden 1 Center Ticketmaster.com

Oct. 19 Sacramento Kings Home Opener Golden 1 Center Ticketmaster.com

Oct. 26 The Who Hits Back! 2022 Tour Golden 1 Center Ticketmaster.com

Oct. 28–30 El Panteón de Sacramento

Latino Center of Art & Culture TheLatinoCenter.org

Oct. 29 Wee Halloween

Crocker Art Museum CrockerArt.org

Oct. 29 Chelsea Handler: Vaccinated and Horny Tour Hard Rock Live Sacramento Ticketmaster.com

Oct. 29 Shannon McCabe’s 14th Annual Vampire Ball Harlow’s Harlows.Com

NOVEMBER:

TBD Theatre of Lights

Old Sacramento Waterfront OldSacramento.com

Nov. 2022–Jan. 2023 Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink

Ali Yousseﬁ Square GoDowntownSac.com

Nov. 2–13 The Book of Mormon SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center BroadwaySacramento.com

Nov. 11–Jan. 16 Folsom Historic District Ice Rink Folsom Historic District FolsomIceRink.com

Nov. 12 Greta Van Fleet: Dreams in Gold Tour 2022

Golden 1 Center Ticketmaster.com

Nov. 17 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild And Swingin’ Holiday Party

Crest Theatre CrestSacramento.com

Nov. 19 Napoleon Dynamite: A Conversation with Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez & Jon Gries Crest Theatre CrestSacramento.com

Nov. 23 Joe Bonamassa

SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Ticketmaster.com

Nov. 24 Run To Feed the Hungry Sacramento State through East Sacramento RunToFeedTheHungry.com

Nov. 25–Dec. 21 The Polar Express Train Ride

California State Railroad Museum

CaliforniaRailroad.Museum

Nov. 29 The Lemonheads “It’s a Shame about Ray” 30th Anniversary Harlow’s Harlows.Com

DECEMBER:

TBD Sacramento Santa Parade

California State Capitol Facebook.com/SacramentoSantaParade

Dec. 3 Crocker Ball

Crocker Art Museum CrockerArt.org

Dec. 9 Al Franken: The Only Former U.S. Senator Currently On Tour Tour!

Crest Theatre CrestSacramento.com

Dec. 10 v101 Holiday Jam

Golden 1 Center Ticketmaster.com

Dec. 10–24 Sacramento Ballet presents The Nutcracker

SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center SacBallet.org

Dec. 13 Fishbone Harlow’s Harlows.Com

JANUARY:

TBD Dine Downtown Participating Restaurants GoDowntownSac.com

Jan 4–15 Frozen SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center BroadwaySacramento.com

Jan. 27–29 Monster Jam Golden 1 Center Ticketmaster.com

FEBRUARY:

Feb. 3-5 PBR Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic Golden 1 Center Ticketmaster.com

Feb. 7–12 Jesus Christ Superstar SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center BroadwaySacramento.com

Feb. 10 Dan Cummins: Burn It All Down Tour Crest Theatre CrestSacramento.com

Feb. 17-19 Sacramento Ballet presents Swan Lake SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center SacBallet.org

MARCH:

Mar. 14 Carrie Underwood: The Denim and Rhinestones Tour Golden 1 Center Ticketmaster.com

Mar. 15–19 Hairspray SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center BroadwaySacramento.com

Mar. 16–18 NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Championship First and Second Rounds Golden 1 Center Ticketmaster.com

Mar. 29 Sacramento Speaker Series: Elizabeth Gilbert

SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center SacramentoSpeakers.com

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*Events subject to change.