"The City of Trees," as it is sometimes called. It gets a bad rap. But for all of the crap we talk on our city, it's not as bad as we sometimes make it out to be. Sacramento is like that little brother that you love to hate. You give it all of the crap you can when talking among family and friends (all out of love), but if anyone else tries to trash talk it, they have hell to pay. But when you take a step back and look at it, we have a good thing going here.
You can't talk about the good without bringing up the bad. Sacramento is a city, and just like any other major city in the country, it has issues. There are race relations issues. There are diversity issues. There are wage gap and wealth disparity issues. There is a decently sized homeless population. There are unemployment issues. It's HOT. And unlike most of the other medium-to-large sized cities, Sacramento is also our capital. That brings with it a whole host of politically driven issues as well. We have budget problems. We don't necessarily spend the money we DO have in all the right places (see: arena controversy). But for all of the bad that we see, the city also has A LOT to offer!
1. Central Valley is our name for a reason!
One of the beautiful things about Sacramento is its central location between mountains, oceans, even bigger cities, and more. Having lived here most of my life, I know how long it takes to get to most places around here. Want to go to some of the gorgeous mountain lakes near Tahoe? Only Two to Two and a half hours. Want to go spend the day in the City by the Bay to escape the heat? That's about two hours as well. Want to go spend the weekend in Reno? Guess how long that takes. You guessed it: about two hours! Want to go spend the day at the beautiful Northern California beaches? That's also about two or two and a half hours! Oregon border? That takes about the same amount of time as Disneyland down in Anaheim! About five hours. So even if you truly do hate the city of Sacramento, then it is quite easy to escape it when you have a day to yourself!
2. The support is out of this world!
There are two very different communities in this city that receive MASSIVE amounts of support: athletics and the arts. We LOVE our teams, so much so that they ask not to leave! We have put up a fight for at least the last two years to keep our NBA team, the Sacramento Kings, in our town. We even built them a brand new arena that they will take up residence in starting next season! We fully support our minor league baseball team, the Sacramento River Cats, and some of us are even happier to support them now that they are the AAA farm team of our San Francisco Giants (considered to be our MLB "home team" by many). The Sacramento Republic FC is a treat for local soccer lovers, as it is the minor league team in our area (who won the USL Championship in 2014 after only two years in existence!). Although we are somewhat lacking in professional sports teams (the Kings are the only major league that claims Sacramento as home), we still have others close to us. The San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics (MLB), the San Francisco 49er's and the Oakland Raiders (NFL), the San Jose Sharks (NHL), and the Golden State Warriors (NBA). We've also been the site of the USA Finals for the World Championship of Track and Field before, and are set to host it again in the next few years, and the Kings old arena (affectionately known as Arco by locals) has been the host of regional NCAA March Madness tournaments in the past, as their new arena is to be in the future.
The other community, which is getting pushed out of many areas, unfortunately, is the visual and performing arts. But here in Sacramento, we want those arts to THRIVE! There are several small galleries, as well as a few major museums in the area that put the visual arts on display, both from locals who are trying to make a name and widely acclaimed artists. There are countless "Art Hop" events, as well as a new event hosted by the Crocker Art Museum called Art Mix, which brings a new theme with it every month to include other local art forms and community leaders. Along with plenty of venues for the display of visual arts, we also have a wide variety of performing art venues and troupes. You name it, we probably have it. Into watching local musical artists? There are open mic nights at local bars almost every night. Into the burlesque scene? We have some pretty awesome troupes, including the Darling Clementines (a group which several of my friends are a part of) and Jezebelle's Army, both of whom host variety shows that include burlesque routines, live music, comedy, spoken word poets, etc. Into short films? We have festivals that you wouldn't believe for several different genres (horror, international, etc.). In fact, the Sacramento Horror Film Festival will celebrate its tenth anniversary this October after a decade supporting its local filmmakers and the community that lives for it! Want something a little more...theatrical? There are several companies in Sacramento and the surrounding area that do community theater, as well as seasonal Music Circus and the Broadway series. Around here, most have heard about shows at B Street Theater, Shakespeare in the Park, and the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival. Every September, there is also an awards ceremony for local community theater participants called the Elly's, hosted by the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance. The arts flourish in this community because the support for them is never-ending.
3. There is no lack of AMAZING restaurants...
Although not every demographic in the city is represented in some of the important arenas, like public service and government, they most definitely stake their claim with food! We have restaurants to satisfy any craving for people from any walk of life. Top restaurants in the area include Latin food, Mexican food, classic American food, Italian food, Greek food, Indian food, Korean food, Thai food, Japanese food, etc. It would be hard to find a type of food this beautiful city doesn't offer. The food game in this city is so strong that even our hotel dining spots are top notch! Restaurants like The Kitchen, Ella Dining Room and Bar, Biba's, and The Firehouse top lists across the board for those who aren't worried about the number on the tab. For those on a budget, local places and chains alike tops lists all over the place, including In-N-Out, Jack's Urban Eats, Ettore's European Bakery and Restaurant, Grange, and Leatherby's. Chances are if you can think of it, you can find it and eat it in Sacramento or somewhere nearby. And if you want to make it yourself...
4. ...and we are the Farm to Fork capital!
As an exceptionally agriculturally rich area, the Central Valley is among the top producers of fresh fruits, vegetables, and premium grade livestock. You'll hear our commercials on the radio and TV nationwide (think of those "Happy Cows" commercials). And if you're local, chances are you have heard or seen a commercial for our thriving farmer's market scene (Denio's anyone?). The Farm to Fork movement that thrives in our area encourages restaurants to source their meats and produce locally (Sloughhouse Corn, Gilroy Garlic, etc.). Additionally, you can find produce stands alongside almost any road up and down the Central Valley, primarily offering things like strawberries, cherries, melons, and tomatoes that have more than likely been picked the day you buy them.
5. We're brimming with history!
For the history buffs out there, Sacramento is the capital for a reason! We are at the center of this state's history, as well as a major player in the development of the West. Those who are drawn to the history of the state will recognize (and have probably visited) such sites as Sutter's Fort, the End Point for the Pony Express, and even the California Railroad Museum. We are near the endpoint for the historic Lincoln Highway, and we have two transcontinental highways still in use that run through near to their end in Sacramento (Interstate 80 and Highway 50). And we were the starting point for the California Gold Rush of 1849 that earned us our statehood a year later (and we're back to Sutter's Fort!).
6. There is no lack of things to do!
Local favorite things to do include visiting one of the several local zoos, running (or walking) in one of the several 5k races, riding on our 32 mile long bike trail or paddling down the Sacramento or American river, and splashing around at one of our many water parks. There is no shortage of things to do in Sacramento and the surrounding areas. Some of them are things you can find in nearly any large metropolitan area, but others are unique to our beautiful city like our drive-in theater that plays double features nearly every weekend in the summer, berry picking around the bushes, or attending one of the many produce-centered festivals around our area. Recently, we also hosted yet another year of the state fair at the magnificent...
7. CAL EXPO!
More formally named the California Exposition, there are endless events hosted year round on this sprawling property, spanning over 300,000 square feet (and that's not even mentioning the barns and racetrack that are on site! If you are into it, you can probably find an expo related to it hosted at this space sometime during the year. July 4th? Fireworks! Summertime? State Fair! Into horses? Races! Western States Horse Expo! Recently moved? Home and Garden Show! Getting married? Bridal Expo! This space is something any Sacramento resident (whether a native or not) has probably been to and has probably made endless memories at.
8. Exceptionally reasonable real estate prices, for our location.
San Francisco median house: $1.2 mil
Santa Cruz median house: $806,750
Los Angeles median house: $689,500
San Diego median house: $508,500
Sacramento median house: $269,000
San Francisco median rental (studio): $2,847
Santa Cruz median rental (studio): $2,000
Los Angeles median rental (studio): $1,695
San Diego median rental (studio): $1,450
Sacramento median rental (studio): $995
San Francisco median rental (2 bedroom): $4,000
Santa Cruz median rental (2 bedroom): $2,600
Los Angeles median rental (2 bedroom): $3,200
San Diego median rental (2 bedroom): $2,200
Sacramento median rental (2 bedroom): $1,245
Noticing a trend here? Of the major metropolitan areas in my favorite state, Sacramento has some of the cheapest prices for it's residents. Sacramento has a lot to offer to those who live in and around it, and the housing prices make it easier to do so if you are a big-city kind of person.
Everyone gives their hometown a little crap sometimes, right? But really, when you step back and look at what we have to offer, you'll see that Sacramento is really one of the best places to be if you live in this beautiful state that we call home!
