Sacramento: the ultimate stop on a California road trip

Don’t miss out om a pitstop in Sacramento during a west coast road trip.

Not only is it California’s capital, the city also claims the title of west coast festival capital and America’s farm-to-fork capital.

The city has  a wealth of attractions to entertain everyone, from family friendly activities to pulsating nightlife.

West coast festival capital

Sacramento’s epic festival season caters to music fans of every genre. It hosts an exciting line up of events in Discovery Park, making it the west coast’s festival capital. R&B, Enjoy soul and Hip-Hop at Sol Blume Festival, a weekender centred on art, culture, social diversity, and good vibes. For rock, punk and metal music fans, Sacramento hosts the west coast’s biggest rock festival Aftershock. For country music fans, Golden Sky festival is the ideal weekend for good old country and line dancing.

Farm-to-Fork cuisine

As America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital, Sacramento is the best place in the country to get locally grown, fresh, seasonal food. The region has been an agricultural powerhouse for more than a century, boasting a year-round growing season. Sacramento Central Farmers’ Market is California’s largest Certified Farmers’ Market and a must see for visitors to the city. Grange Restaurant and Bar is one of Sacramento’s best examples for regionally grown cuisine.

Home to over 650 murals

Visitors don’t need to enter a museum to see art in Sacramento, there are over 650 murals painted across the city. This number continues to grow every year when the city hosts the Wide Open Walls festival in August. Artists from the city and across the globe gather to create art on the walls of Sacramento that everyone can enjoy. Mural artwork is inspired by the city’s history, community and culture.

Explore Lavender Heights

Located in Sacramento’s Midtown and known as Lavender Heights, the city’s “Gayborhood” owes its title to the large number of LGBTQ-owned businesses such as cafes, bars, boutique shops, and galleries. A must visit here is Kennedy Gallery, known as “The Jewel of Midtown”, curated by local gay artist Michael Misha Kennedy, the gallery features the work of more than a dozen resident artists. Monthly exhibits invite visitors to experience everything from abstract oddities and vintage toys and glassblowing.

Gold-Rush history

Sacramento sits in the heart of California’s Gold Country and the Old Sacramento Waterfront is a unique 28-acre National Historic Landmark District and State Historic Park. It pays homage to California’s beginning with the Gold Rush of 1849. The district features dozens of recreated or restored buildings from the Gold Rush era. Wooden sidewalks, horse-drawn carriages, and living history characters provide a glimpse into 19th-century life.

Pro sports teams

Sports fans will be entertained when they visit. The Sacramento Kings NBA team play at the Golden 1 Center and football team Sacramento Republic FC became part of Major League Soccer in 2022. The city’s baseball team, the Sacramento River Cats, are the AAA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants and play at Sutter Health Park.

For more information: www.visitsacramento.com