Sacramento California Attractions

We're excited about what is happening in Sacramento.  And you should be too.  As the summer travel and tourism season kicks off, Sacramento events, attractions and more are ready to accommodate your group's itinerary.  I have compiled a list of 5 things we are excited about in Sacramento.  There is something here to fit all the varied interests of the members of your group, and we are here, as always, to help you plan the best itinerary to fit the needs of your group.

Here are five things we are excited about in Sacramento:  

1. The Beer Renaissance - Beer-making has long been a tradition in Sacramento, but a wave of new breweries has recently popped up in town. Track 7, Ruhstaller and American River Brewing have joined the ranks of Sierra Nevada Brewing,  Rubicon, River City Brewing Company, Sacramento Brewing Co, Two Rivers Cider and more to help reinvigorated Sacramento's beer scene. Come on over for a cold one!
   
   
   
   
    
2. Fun on the river - The weather is warming up and that means it's time to get out and enjoy great Sacramento recreation on our local waterways. For the adventurous, there's whitewater rafting from companies such as EarthTrek Expeditions and Gold Rush Whitewater. For the slightly less adventurous, there's "slow drift" rafting from American River Raft Rentals. For those who prefer to view the river while enjoying a glass of wine, Hornblower Cruises offers sightseeing and dinner cruises throughout the week.
   
   
    
3. "Follow the Chef" is Back - Grange Restaurant's wildly popular "Follow the Chef" lunches return this month and run through October. Each Wednesday, the head chef from Grange will take a group of lucky folks through the farmers' market across from the restaurant. Guests sample fresh produce as they soak in the chef's culinary knowledge. Then it's back to Grange for a fabulous 3-course lunch using many of the ingredients picked up at the market.  Many other Sacramento restaurants also offer "Farm to Fork" inspired menus that feature the best of the bounty of the region.
   
   
   
   
   
   
    
4. Pedal Power - Sacramento is one of the country's top cycling cities. With miles of paved bike trails along the river, an abundance of safe bike lanes in midtown and an overall easy terrain, it's no surprise Sacramento biking has become such a popular attraction.  Experienced bikers and amateur enthusiasts come from all over to experience the American River Parkway.  You'll see everything from beach cruisers and fixed gears to high-tech road bikes being pedaled around town and chained up in front of Sacramento's super bike-friendly restaurants and cafes. Bike culture continues to flourish in Sacramento as visitors and residents embrace a more green-friendly and healthful lifestyle. 
   
   
    
5. City of Festivals - Everyone loves a celebration, and a quick peek over at the sacramento365.com event calendar will show that Sacramento truly is the City of Festivals. Celebrations of food, wine, art and culture keep Sacramento buzzing. Grape Escape, Juneteenth, Gold Rush Days, California Capital Airshow and The Sacramento Music Festival are just a few examples. Have a group with a specific interest? Give us a call - we probably have a festival they'd be interested in.
   
    

See anything here that you would like to include in your group's itinerary?  Email me to learn more planning your group's visit to Sacramento.

Hello again. Well day two in Murphys started out a little cloudy and I don't mean the sky!  Actually the weather in the Gold Country was quite beautiful that morning.  We were lucky enough to stay at my friends brother's home up above Murphys and had a wonderful view of the hillsides!  Our first stop of the day was for breakfast in Murphys on Main Street.  We went to Grounds. It was a lovely place with inside and outside seating.  We enjoyed the morning outside with Bloody Mary's and Mimosa's.  The second day at Murphys (there is no apostrophe; you will read why when you click on the link) was saved to visit the outlying areas of the Gold Country.  At breakfast we mapped out the wineries we wanted to visit.  But before we left Main Street we stopped at one last winery, Frog's Tooth. They had some lovely wines and the staff was very nice!

Now we are off to visit the first Gold Country wineries off of Main Street, Ironstone Vineyards. 
Ironstone is a very large winery with a huge tasting room/deli, a museum and an amphitheatre where they hold concerts.  When you first enter Ironstone you see these amazing wine barrels planted with tulips and daffodils. It is so beautiful and I couldn't get over the amazing colors.  We were tasting a few wines when in walked a gold mine - really he was!  He showed us the gold he had taken from the river, but he wouldn't tell us where for fear we would want to start panning for gold.  He was a very interesting character with many stories. Ironstone has gold panning on their property. 

As we were  getting ready to leave, John Kautz (Kautz family owns Ironstone Vineyards) came in. I introduced myself and he offered to give us a tour of the jewelry shoppe/museum.  The museum is filled with historical artifacts. Here is John showing us some of the many historical pieces he has curated for the museum.  One he is especially proud of is the Gold Leaf specimen.  It is housed in a bank safe-type room for temperature and security reasons.   We then set off to visit some other wineries, Indian Rock and Coppermine.  Indian Rock is a small winery with a lovely pond to have a picnic around.  On Saturdays they BBQ for their winery guests.  Indian Rock had a lovely Barbera that made its way home with me!  Coppermine was next. They provided you with pub tables to do your tasting.  They also paired their wine with potato chips and chocolate. I could not have asked for a better combination!!  Last but not least we went to visit Twisted Oak Winery.  You drive up a twisted road with many roadside attractions along the way.   It is a fun drive through the vineyards and it overlooks the hills of the Gold Country. 

Here we tasted a few wines that were not in their tasting room on Main Street.  As we left the winery there is a large frog that looks like a rubber chicken. In our travels we saw a few of these large frogs and the story is that Calaveras County (where Murphys is located) is known for their jumping frog contests.  So here we are at our last stop with a frog that looks like a rubber chicken!

As we are leaving I stop to take one more picture and I feel like I am on top of the world or at least
"Queen of The Sierra."  
 

It was a wonderful two days in the Gold Country.  It is easily a day trip and you can stay at one of the Sacramento area hotels and enjoy one day visiting Sacramento, California, attractions, like Old Sacramento.  Or make a weekend of it and stay in one of the lovely and quaint Gold Country hotels!!  That is all for now.   I hope you enjoyed the tale of Murphys. Until next time, CHEERS!!

When Cindy, Carol, and I heard that the Leland Stanford Mansion and the California Governor’s Mansion were rumored to be on the State Parks closure list, we decided we wanted to see both of these important Sacramento attractions. 

We were able to take the public tour of the Leland Stanford mansion at 8th & N Streets on a recent chilly but sunny morning.  Our tour guide, Richard, explained to us how the Mansion’s structure was built in phases.  It went from being a small plain boxy structure (circa 1856) to a large ornate one with its distinctive front porch stairway by the end of the 1870’s.  The whole building was raised 12 feet during one of the addition projects, about the same time as the rest of downtown Sac was being raised to avoid recurrent flooding.

The entire tour of the Leland Stanford Mansion was very interesting.  From the unusual 4-pocket pool table, to the beautiful ceiling medallions that acted as “soot catchers” in the days of gas lighting, to the mirrors in the fireplaces so that Victorian ladies could check to be sure their ankles weren’t showing, to the massive wood furniture in the dining room with seemingly straightforward carving which are actually reminiscent of railroad locomotives, to the “ice bucket” fishbowl in the ladies’ parlor, the Stanford Mansion is full of fascinating pieces and stories.  The museum/gift shop/visitor center in the back yard is small, yet thorough. 

One place I could really enjoy spending some time is the 2nd floor master bedroom/bath.  I wonder if it is the fact that there is a comfortable looking “fainting couch” in the corner by the front window.  Carol, Cindy, and I laughed with relief that we are living in the 21st century when our guide reminded us how useful that particular item of furniture was to women who wore tight corsets and had just climbed 2 flights of stairs!  The adjoining master bath had its own Victorian-era wood-trimmed metal bathtub, with a curtained exterior window behind it looking out onto the interior hall.  That window was a particularly unusual and interesting artifact of one of the Mansion’s several addition-remodel events. 

The Leland Stanford mansion has been put to several different uses over the years, including an orphanage and teenage girls home.  Currently, the Mansion is used for official State receptions, since California doesn’t have an active Governor’s mansion.  There is an historical “reception” office in one wing, with a “working” (i.e. includes phone, fax, computer, etc.) office behind it. 

We knew the Leland Stanford Mansion would be interesting to see, but as Cindy exclaimed at the conclusion, “That was better than I expected!”  We recommend that you go see it if you can.  We could only wish to be lucky enough to attend an official function there - that would be fantastic!  We have not made it yet to the historic Governor’s Mansion at 16th and H Streets, but hope to get there soon!  It is great that both of these great Sacramento tourist attractions are located in downtown Sacramento, steps from several great restaurants and hotels.  Click here for more information about this and several other great Sacramento museums.

This Week: Be on the Hunt for Libations & Revelry
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		Food & Wine: Mastermind Pub Hunt Begins from Sutter's Fort April 10 Tues 6:30pm Love treasure hunts? Love beer? Be here! Solve clues that lead you to different locations. The first team to the pub with all clues solved gets bragging rights & a round of beers!
		Music: Brokedown in Bakersfield Harlow's April 12 Thurs 7pm A collective of acclaimed West Coast artists join forces in a spirited tribute to the Bakersfield sound: California country music made raw and rocking, spiked with twang and sweetened with heartfelt harmonies.
		Music: Banjo-Rama 2012 Red Lion Hotel April 13-April 15 Fri & Sat Noon-9pm; Sun Noon-5pm Enjoy a weekend of banjo performances featuring locally, nationally, and internationally renowned artists. Come enjoy the fun and the toe-tapping music.
		Festivals: 44th Annual Bockbierfest Sacramento Turn Verein April 13-April 14 Fri 6pm-Midnight; Sat 3pm-Midnight Sacramento's version of the Bockbierfest includes lively German music by the Sacramento Turner Harmonie, Bavarian folk dancing, German food, coffee cake, and Bockbier flowing like the Sacramento River.
		Food & Wine: Wine & Chocolate: A Harmony of Tastes Beatnik Studios April 13 Fri 7:30pm Join as the finest confectioners compete with delectable chocolate desserts to benefit the Sacramento Children's Chorus.
		Theatre: Woody Guthrie's American Song West Sacramento Community Center Ongoing-April 29 Fri & Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm Come experience the words and music of one of America's greatest folk poets and champion of the common citizen. A large cast of actors, singers, and musicians bring Woody Guthrie's music to life.
		Festivals: Festival of the Arts Sacramento State April 14-April 21 Daily, times vary The revelry includes attractions during the day and evening including theatre, music performances, visual art works, performances by faculty and staff in the Library Galleries, modern dance, literature, and more.
		Dance: Fiesta Mexicana celebrating International Day of Dance John F. Kennedy High School April 14 Sat 7:30pm Instituto Mazatlan Bellas Artes School, the Sacramento-based Mexican folk dance group, presents Fiesta Mexicana (Mexican Fiesta). Magic and color intertwines with traditional dances and authentic regional outfits highlights the colorfulness and versatility of Mexico's national musics.
		2nd Saturday Activities: -2nd Sat Coffee Bike Tour: Broadacre Coffee, 10am -Annual Spring Flowers Show: Kennedy Gallery, 3pm-9pm -2nd Sat SCVNGR Hunt: Fremont Park, 5:30pm-8:30pm See more 2nd Sat events>
		Sports & Rec: Jackie Robinson Day with the Sacramento River Cats Raley Field April 15 Sun 1:05pm Sacramento outdoor activities are starting up as the weather brightens with springtime! In this baseball game against the Reno Aces, the River Cats honor Jackie Robinson, the Hall of Fame second baseman who broke baseball's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

 
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Sometimes traveling isn’t pleasant.  Gas prices, traffic jams and other factors can cause major anxiety on the way to your destination.  The trip to the destination is considered the means to an end.  Getting there could be considered the hard part.  What if the trip to the destination was part of the fun?  The Capitol Corridor is an excellent and convenient way to travel to Sacramento from the Bay Area.  There are several reasons you should consider using Amtrak and the Capitol Corridor when planning your next trip to Sacramento.

1. Convenience.  The Capitol Corridor provides direct train service to 16 stations along a 170-mile rail corridor between the Sierra Foothills, Sacramento, the Bay Area and Silicon Valley/San Jose.  Dedicated bus routes extend the service to various communities in Northern California.  If you live in Northern California and want to visit great Sacramento attractions, chances are you live conveniently close to one of these stations. 
2. Location.  The Sacramento Amtrak station is located in downtown Sacramento, walking distance from several Sacramento museums, hotels, attractions, shopping and restaurants.  Old Sacramento and the famous California State Railroad Museum are two blocks away from the station.  The train will drop you off in the heart of Sacramento – get off the train and start enjoying your vacation immediately.
3. Options.  There are several different ticket options tailored to your needs.  Discounts and promotions are often available for seniors, children, disabled persons and members of select organizations.  Amtrak also routinely offers specials to all of their riders, depending on the season.  Group travelers and frequent business travelers can also be eligible for special rates and discounts.  Plus, some Sacramento hotels offer special packages for travelers of the Capitol Corridor.
4. Stay Connected.  Did you know that Amtrak now offers free WiFi to passengers?  You don’t have to miss a thing when you travel.  You can plug your electronic devices into one of several surge-protected outlets located throughout the cabins, connect to the free WiFi and conduct your business without any interruptions or expensive fees.
5. Bring Your Own Connection.  Based on availability, you can bring your bicycle with you when traveling the Capitol Corridor.  The Sacramento area has world-class biking trails, including the American River Parkway, available for all cycling enthusiasts.  Sacramento is also a bike-friendly city with an abundance of bicycle racks for storage and bicycle lanes for travel.  Bring your bicycle, and enjoy all the fun things to do in Sacramento at your own pace.

Getting to Sacramento has never been easier and more convenient.  The Capitol Corridor is an excellent way to experience Sacramento.  Click here for more information about the Capitol Corridor.  Please visit our website to learn more about Sacramento attractions, accommodations and more to help you plan your visit to the Capital City.

Have teens who want to avoid family vacations like the plague? Maybe they'll change their minds after hearing about downtown Sacramento tourist attractions that cater to them... and parents won't have to hear complaints!

Sports and Fitness
Cruise the capital in style. See the City of Trees from the seat of a bicycle. Family-owned Practical Cycle (916.706.0077) rents bikes made in the USA. Guided or self-guided tours get your teen exercising! Fast Eddie (916.812.2712) only offers guided tours; pricing includes bike rental.

Shock your X Games fan when you tell him or her to pack a helmet because the skate park at Sutter's Landing (916.808.5611) is on the itinerary. All sessions are supervised. Skateboarders, scooters and (inline) skaters are invited. The indoor street course features a bowl, quarter pipes, fun boxes, and grind rails -- can you picture it? Pro skaters Matt Pailes, Matt Rodriguez, and Omar Salazar are familiar faces.

When the sun goes down, student specials on glow-bowling appear at Capitol Bowl (916.371.4200). Remodeled. The 1950-era bowling alley is the first in the country to feature granite counters and restaurant-caliber dining. Don't wait til Thanksgiving to bowl a turkey! 

Another popular indoor activity is rock climbing. Pipeworks has a 40-foot-high lead wall with 11,000 square feet of climbing terrain -- plus 2,000 square feet of bouldering.

Entertainment
Ever read Teens are from Mars, Parents are from Earth? Shrink the generation gap when families laugh together. Sacramento Comedy Spot (916.444.3137) at MARRS -- the Midtown Art, Retail and Restaurant Scene -- is an all-ages venue featuring weekly improv, stand-up, and sketch comedy shows. Material rated 'PG-13' (parental guidance recommended, age 13 and older) to 'R' (restricted, age 17+).

If your youth enjoy music, free summer Concerts in the Park or the all-ages, indoor Ace of Spades event facility can introduce them (or you) to a wide variety of live, local music: from blues and country, to punk and indie, to pop and hip hop. During the outdoor park series, more than 40 bands play on Friday nights from 5 to 9 PM. The diversity of talent and ages on stage may inspire your guitarist to learn more than 'Stairway to Heaven'.

Discover more inspiration at the California Museum (916.653.7524), home of the California Hall of Fame. This cultural destination is popular for its modern and thought-provoking storytelling of the state's rich influence on the world of ideas, innovation, art and culture. Now through March 25th, Riding Concrete is a multimedia exhibit about skateboarding from California creation in the 1950s to its international appeal today. 

Food and Shopping
Schedule a power-ballad lunch or dinner at Pizza Rock (916.737.5777). World pizza-tossing champion, Tony Gemignani, opened his flagship artisan pizzeria in Sacramento to re-establish respect for his craft by using seasonal and organic ingredients. The ceiling mural, semi-truck cab, and energy certainly suggest you aren't at Chuck E. Cheese. 

Got an adventurous or epicurean eater or chef? Downtown Sacramento dining can take you on a culinary tour of the world. Join a Local Roots Food walking tour. Or browse farmers markets. 

Finally, indulge designers or stylists with a shopping tryst. Explore Midtown's concentration of new and vintage clothing stores plus record, home, and gift shops. And if you feel like driving them, Arden Fair mall (916.920.1167) is 10 minutes away!

Let your teen to discover Sacramento, shortlisted by BETA UK -- the British Educational Travel Association -- as the Best International Youth Destination.

Contact the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau at tourism@discovergold.org to learn more about itineraries for traveling families with teenagers and tweens (pre-teens).
 

At the Sacramento CVB, we’re all about making things easier on tour operators. After all, isn’t that what we’re here for?  Part of this means that we partner with the representatives from the surrounding regions so that you can expand your itineraries, but still have one simple point-of-contact.

We recently worked with a tour operator interested in planning a Gold Rush themed itinerary for a group tour which would include visits to Sacramento, Coloma, Sutter Creek, Angels Camp, Columbia and Yosemite.  With so many stops, she was faced with a long list of contacts in order to secure reservations for lodging and attractions. Luckily, at the top her list was the Sacramento CVB. We listened to what she wanted to do over the course of this itinerary – mine tours, zip-lining, gold panning, etc - and we were able be a one stop shop for all her needs. 

We know that many of our visitors will want to make short day trips into the historic Gold Country to take advantage of the vast history, wine and outdoor recreation opportunities available there. This is why we work closely with the Gold Country Visitors Association to remain knowledgeable about all the Gold Country has to offer and how your groups can maximize your time in the area.

So while there might not be whitewater rafting or mine tours within Sacramento’s borders, the Sacramento CVB’s tourism team can still help make that an easy part of your itinerary without you having to make extra phone calls.

Combining the lively, urban experience of Sacramento with the rustic appeal of the Gold Country provides any itinerary with variety and substance that’s hard to match. Add that to a larger Northern California itinerary and it really can’t be beat.

So if you’re looking to plan a new itinerary or to spice up an old one, contact the tourism team at the Sacramento CVB and we’ll make navigating the Gold Country simple.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Our Hometown Tourists visited Sutter's Fort on their most recent excursion.  The following blog includes two accounts by Janet Lewis and Carol Dabrowiak, detailing their visit to this Sacramento attraction.

Janet Lewis

Where can you time travel back more than 160 years without leaving town?  Maybe you know of a few places already.  But, how many times have you passed by the distinctive white walls spanning the blocks 26th-28th-K-L Streets in Sacramento without stopping and going in?  Well, you should re-discover Sutter’s Fort!

Cindy, Carol, and I did exactly that by visiting Sutter’s Fort one recent Thursday morning.  We arrived at the opening time of 10 a.m. in order to avoid August afternoon heat.

“When you walk through the gate of Sutter’s Fort you will be taking a step back in time and watching history unfold before you as the past is recreated...”  This key phrase is from the informational brochure each visitor receives upon entry along with a map of the Fort.  Sutter’s Fort also features an audio self-tour, which activated simply by leaning into each display room. 

For instance, in the cooperage I learned that for either dry or wet goods, it is easier to roll a barrel than pick up a box.  Hmmm, never really thought about that before, but it makes sense!  Then in the bakery, we heard that the residents of Sutter’s Fort ate mostly beef and bread (and vegetables when they could get them); and coffee was so scarce that they ground and roasted acorns to brew up instead! 

Fascinating as these auditory historical vignettes may be, the days at Sutter’s Fort when the costumed docent historical re-enactors are in attendance bring history to life even more!

Some highlights of our time travel excursion at this unique Sacramento museum included:

• The Pioneer Woman at a wagon in the shade of a tree told us about the journey west in a wagon pulled by yoked oxen.  She also played the hoop and sticks game called “Graces” with me and took it in good grace when I put the hoop up in the tree! 
  
• The Vaquero making tooled leather decorations explained how the Californio’s tradition of decorative arts differed from the Yankee-Puritan’s concept of plainness in all things, while the fur trapper, Sam, fashioned a leather strap to mend his suspenders. 
  
• Adrien explained and demonstrated the loading and firing of a French musket of the type used “back in the day” at Sutter’s Fort.  There is quite a story related to how the French muskets got there, but you will have to visit Sutter’s Fort to hear it!  Adrien also related the origins of several phrases used to this day, such as “flash in the pan” while showing how to load and fire the musket.  It went off with a satisfying loud noise and puff of gunpowder smoke!
  
• The Trade Store (where I bought a souvenir chunk of iron pyrite aka “fools gold”) offers an uncommonly good selection of books -- some about the historical period and some that are replicas of books actually in use during the 1840’s and 1850’s; such as George Washington’s Rules For Courtesy And Deportment; it could fit in anyone’s pocket and be useful even today.   The Trade Store also features various high quality toys, games, and craft kits that would be just as much fun for kids of all ages now as in the olden days.

After circling the fort with the audio tour and interacting with the costume docents, it was an actual surprise to come down the stairs from John A. Sutter’s office and see the modern skyline over the white adobe walls of the Fort!  In my imagination, it had been 1850 until that very moment! 

Then, capping off our tour at noon, we witnessed the cannon firing.  Wow!  It gave off even more loud noise and smoke, along with the fun of yelling out “fire in the hole!” to warn unsuspecting 21st Century passers-by outside the Fort’s adobe walls.

Fast-forward as Carol, Cindy, and I walked two blocks and almost two centuries into the present and enjoyed lunch at Centro restaurant, where we saw people at business lunches with laptop computers up on their table!  What a lot of changes have taken place since Sutter’s day.  We are very fortunate to have the Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park right here in the middle of downtown Sacramento, where we can get a glimpse of what it might have been like in the historical past and then enjoy some great downtown Sacramento dining!  My friends and I had a great time there.

Carol Dabrowiak

How many museums have you visited recently that fire off a replica of a pre-Civil War cannon during your tour?  That is one of the things that make Sutter's Fort a truly unique experience. 

It was a beautiful morning in Sacramento when my friends and I toured Sutter's Fort.  I felt like I was visiting the past nestled in the architecture of the future.  Walking into the Fort takes you back to the 1840s, before California was a state and it needed an adobe fort with cannons to defend it from enemy attacks.  But when you look back out to the horizon and you see high rise buildings and construction cranes lifting us into the twenty first century, the contrast is striking and a little jarring.

John Sutter built this fort as a way station for settlers who were heading west.  They needed temporary shelter and supplies to continue their journeys.  He befriended the travelers and provided them with lodging.  He even sent his workers to Tahoe to rescue the 47 survivors of the Donner Party.  He was California's first humanitarian.

A tour of Sutter's Fort is an interactive experience.   Docents in period costumes perform tasks that the settlers to Sacramento Valley would have performed.  A young man demonstrated how to load and fire a musket.  And he let the children hold the weapon after he fired it so they could feel the weight of it.  A woman in a long muslin dress and sun bonnet explained how families risked their lives to travel across the plains to get to California. 

A replica of the covered wagon they rode in is displayed at the fort.  The interior is about the size and shape of a pup tent, and the journey took about 4 months.  They frequently got lost or ran out of provisions. How did families survive such an experience?   I remember car trips with my siblings when we could barely be together for two hours before someone's life was at risk. 

The docent also had examples of toys and games that the children played.  These games consisted of wooden hoops and sticks and strings and involved throwing and catching -encouraging being outside.  She also played the games with the audience members.  No AA batteries needed here.  The blacksmith had children help him pump the giant bellows to fire up the coals and heat the steel rods.  He also let us examine the different tools the settlers made.

John Sutter is mostly remembered for the discovery of gold.  But gold was not discovered at Sutter's Fort.  It was discovered at Sutter's Sawmill about 50 miles east of the fort on the American River.  And it wasn't John Sutter who discovered it, but his employee, James Marshall.  After gold was discovered there was a "rush" of thousands of people coming to California to make their fortune.  Sadly, John Sutter didn't profit from it nor did James Marshall. 

There are lots of things happening at Sutter's Fort.  The docents were interesting and quirky.  They made sure everyone was gathered together for the highlight of the day.  They made us all yell "fire in the hole!" before they shoot off a large cannon that produces fire and smoke and shakes the ground.  Very Impressive!  Sutter's Fort is a fun place to visit and a fun thing to do in Sacramento.

Carol, Janet and Cindy set out to be Hometown Tourists of Sacramento.  They started their adventure with lunch at Ambrosia and ended it with the bear outside the governor’s office.  Here are comments from each on their adventure of the State Capitol building.

Cindy:
My first tour of the California State Capitol was in 1984, and I have visited several times since.  There is always something different to see each time.  Seeing the building when the legislature is in session is very exciting and the place is bustling with energy.  Seeing the building when the legislation is on break is just as wonderful.  It allows you to focus on the grand structure.  Each time I have taken the tour, I have learned something new.  This time it was about the governor’s painting that really was controversial at the time (hint: it isn’t Jerry Brown’s).  It became a real trend setter for future portraits.  See if you can you find it.

Carol:
My friends and I decided to learn some California history in a fun and factual way, so we took a guided tour of the Capitol Building.  I wonder how many times we drive downtown and actually look at things.  And by things, I mean Sacramento attractions like the Capitol Building.  I have it in my backyard, but I don't always see it.  I should appreciate living in the state capital. 

We met up with our guide in the beautiful, soaring, echoing rotunda.  By the way, our guide was a thirty-something man named Kyle.  I thought all guides had to be retired government workers who recite facts by rote.  Nope.  Kyle was fun and personable and interesting and informative.  He shared little known facts while giving a history lesson of the building.  It is a beautiful structure that has been painstakingly maintained and restored to its original wonder.  The legislature desks are the original desks from the early 1900s.  The staircases and rotunda railings are architectural treasures.   Every corner we turned we saw more beauty and history.  Even the tile floors have an interesting story behind them -- they were cut out, sent off to be cleaned and reset tile by tile.  Did you know they almost put the Capitol in Benicia?  Seriously?  It is a Sacramento wonder, and I plan to take all of my out-of-towners to visit and proudly show it off.

Janet:
Something else:  call me crazy but I guess that I didn't get enough of the Capitol, because I also took the 4:00 public tour of 45 minutes!  It was interesting to mingle with the other ("real") tourists, to hear the questions they asked, and to listen to more Capitol stories from our guide Tyson (also thirty something and from Stockton / Lodi area).  Tyson mentioned the difference in the floor numbers between the old and new parts of the Capitol.  That made me really glad that Kyle had actually taken us into the connecting staircase on our private tour!  The other neat thing for me about the whole experience is looking at my own town with fresh eyes.  I was very glad to be a Hometown Tourist - knowing my way around as I drove east along N Street, past the Capitol again and through Midtown then East Sacramento, to get home from town.  I'm looking forward to our next HTT adventure.  I'll get working on the arrangements soon.  Thanks so much for your company on this endeavor!  It's both interesting and fun!

Your motorcoach is essential to your group.  And it is also essential your motorcoach seamlessly fits into your scheduled itinerary.  Sacramento is a motorcoach-friendly destination with many options to ensure your motorcoach is staged, loaded, unloaded and parked with ease in reasonable time.  Here are five ways the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau can ease your motorcoach worries:

As college students weather finals and return for winter break, empty nest parents are planning new trips to Sacramento. Parents still remember taking kids to the State Capitol and other tourist attractions. They've been there, done that -- even the newly expanded Crocker Art Museum, which debuted a year ago. 

They're passing on packaged tours. Instead, they're exploring places new to them. And they aren't collecting magnets or shot glasses. They're bringing home art that captures the spirit of their adventure, and sharing these stories of discovery with friends. Their secret's out as I visited five Sacramento art galleries, clustered predominantly in the midtown neighborhood.

• Skinner Howard / 723 S St / Sacramento, CA 95811 / 916.446.1786 

• Art Foundry and Solomon Dubnick / 1021 R St / Sacramento, CA 95811 / 916.446.1786 AF / 916.444.3868 SD  

• Axis Gallery / 1517 19th St / Sacramento, CA 95811 / 916.443.9900 

• b. sakata garo / 923 20th St / Sacramento, CA 95814 / 916.447.4276 

• La Raza Galeria Posada / 1022 22nd St / Sacramento, CA 95814 / 916.446.5133 

Sunny Sacramento residents and most visitors enjoy how walkable California's capital is: flat sidewalks framed by modern skyscrapers, Victorian houses, not to mention a canopy of lush green trees.
And who can resist stoppping at a sidewalk cafe? checking in at a restaurant or bar to nosh on small bites? sipping a refreshing drink? walking through an art gallery? or shopping a local boutique?

If you have limited or moderate mobility, navigating downtown Sacramento and its tourist attractions may seem intimidating -- at first. But you'll want to venture beyond your hotel. 

Discover a great destination for people who walk very little, cruise in a wheelchair, or hike and bike for miles and miles. It really has something for everyone! 

Seniors and people with mobility issues can still enjoy their visit from their arrival at the airport to many famous sights. Nearly all major points of interest are easy to get to without leaving pavement. Some require a short easy walk from where you park.

• Instead of moving sidewalks, the Sacramento International Airport chose to install an automated people mover. Picture a miniature monorail. Moreover, the airport is only a 15-minute shuttle or taxi ride from downtown Sacramento hotels.
  
• The Sacramento Convention Center and adjacent convention hotels, Hyatt Regency Sacramento and Sheraton Grand Sacramento are located within the same size footprint as a big-box hotel ... but guests enjoy fresh air and sunshine as they walk the corridors! These 4-star, 3-diamond properties certainly have ADA-rooms.

• Don't miss California's culinary showcase at many downtown Sacramento dining options. Chefs and restaurants bring the best of regional farms & ranches to you, so you don't have to get dirty. But if you want to visit them, we can arrange that as well!

• Think Rickshaw 2.0. Velocab brings together Sacramentans who love cycling and visitors who appreciate zero-emission travel. Each taxi can carry up to 3 people, plus driver. You can even reserve a guided tour with this company.

• Easily hail traditional taxicabs outside hotels and throughout downtown. Yellow Cab even offers a pre-paid TaxiCard, so you can plan your transportation budget as you plan your trip to Sacramento!

• Public transportation via Sacramento Regional Transit (RT) offers bus route #62, which runs westward on L Street, northward on 3^rd Street, and eastward on J Street before it runs southbound toward William Land Park on 19^th Street.

This Week: Take Flight to Artober
Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

		Theatre: Shrek the Musical Community Center Theater Sept 27-Oct 2 Tues & Wed 8pm; Thurs 2pm & 8pm; Fri 8pm; Sat 2pm & 8pm; Sun 2pm The Broadway Sacramento season kicks off by bringing the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre to life on stage.
		Music: Norcal Noisefest Various Sacramento Locations Sept 28-Oct 3 Wed-Mon, Times Vary A true Sacramento original, the Norcal Noisefest embarks on its 15th event featuring experimental sound artists from all over the world. Take part in six days of noise, experimental music, odd electronics, and outsider sound art.
		Comedy: Sacramento Comedy Festival Sacramento Comedy Spot Sept 29-Oct 2 Thurs-Sun, Times Vary Improv, stand-up comedians, & sketch comedy groups from all over the West Coast convene for non-stop laughs!
		Film: Modern Italian Film Festival Fremont Park Sept 30-Oct 1 Fri 6pm-8:30pm; Sat 7pm-10:30pm Enjoy free feature-length films & shorts & celebrate contemporary film making from Italy.
		Sports & Rec: 2011 Natomas Challenger Natomas Racquet Club Oct 1-Oct 9 Daily, Times Vary The 3rd Annual USTA Men's $100,000 Challenger, a USTA Pro Circuit event, is the largest tennis event in Northern California and attracts many players fresh from the U.S. Open.
		Special Events: Explore History: Sacramento Archives Crawl Downtown Sacramento Oct 1 Sat 11am-4pm "Crawl" to various sites to view rarely seen treasures from archival collections from 21 Northern California institutions & take special, behind-the-scenes tours.
		Food & Wine: Appetizers for the Cure Midtown/Folsom/Roseville/Davis Oct 1-Oct 22 Saturdays 1pm-5pm Experience the region's finest restaurants, pubs, & wine bars as a benefit for Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
		Music: 20th Annual SAMMIES Block Party & Music Awards MARRS Building Oct 1 Sat 5pm-10pm In addition to many musical performances & the revealing of the 2011 SAMMIES winners, you can also enjoy a Chalk Art Gallery, The Biggest Sacto Music Scene Merch Table Ever, Cake at Freeborn Hall tickets give away, and a beer garden.
		Festivals: Sacramento World Music & Dance Festival Old Sacramento Oct 2 Sun 10am-5pm This family festival is a spectacular presentation of world cultures, ethnic dance, and live musical performances.
		Film: A Place Called Sacramento Crest Theatre Oct 2 Sun 1pm Organized by Access Sacramento, this event challenges local scriptwriters to write ten-minute scripts about the people, places, & events that make our community such a unique place to live.

 
Sacramento365.com News

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Artober kicks off this weekend!

October is National Arts & Humanities month, and Sacramento is celebrating in a big way this year.

Check our Artober listings & find out what's happening!

Want the chance for more discounts or free tickets to shows?
Sacramento365.com does regular ticket giveaways on our Facebook fan page. Become a fan to be notified of deals, discounts, and the chance to win free tickets to events!

Featured Local Artist of the Month: Nanci Zoppi

Learn about actress & singer Nanci Zoppi in her Featured Artist Profile.

This Week: Experience Events Like Never Before
Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

		Visual Art: Eric Decetis Uncensored j27 Gallery Ongoing-Sept 30 Mon-Wed 11am-7pm; Thurs-Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 1pm-6pm From the award winning creator of internationally known "Lost Puppy" illustration comes an unabashed and unleashed exhibit, Eric Decetis Uncensored.
		Special Events: Experience the "O" Hot Italian Sept 22 Thurs 6pm-8pm Come "Experience the O" with the Sacramento Opera! The event is free with complimentary pizza samples & will be graced with three live aria performances. Those of all ages are encouraged to attend, including parents with the kiddies!
		Music: Folsom Live Historic Old Folsom Sept 23-Sept 24 Fri & Sat 5pm Folsom Live is a two-day event featuring 30 bands and 10 stages. Celebrate the end of summer with music, including iconic pop rocker Eddie Money and award-winning Latin beat group Los Lobos.
		Film: Movie in Fremont Park: Toy Story 3 Fremont Park Sept 23 Fri 6pm *Movie begins at dusk In addition to the screening of Toy Story 3, there will be food trucks in the park, face painting, & children's activities.
		Music: Freestyle Explosion Power Balance Pavilion Sept 23 Fri 8pm Pay homage to the '80s as V101.1 presents Freestyle Explosion, featuring Exposé and Lisa Lisa, & many other favorites.
		Festivals: Pirate Festival & Seafarer's Marketplace Rio Ramaza Event Park Sept 24-Sept 25 Sat & Sun Noon-7pm Eat, drink, and play with pirates. Enjoy live music, games, cannon battles, sword fights, seafaring activities, shops for treasures, and food & drink from around the globe.
		Music: Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks Harlow's Sept 24 Sat 7pm Dan Hicks deftly blends elements of swing, jazz, folk, & country. At this show, the band will illuminate pupils to music history & a variety of musical styles, as well as present a repertoire of their signature tunes.
		Sports & Rec: Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes California State Capitol - West Steps Sept 25 Sun 9am Walk to stop diabetes, and then enjoy food, live entertainment, giveaways, great music, a Kids Zone, & a Health & Education fair.
		Special Events: Sac-Con Scottish Rite Center Sept 25 Sun 10am-5pm Sac-Con began as a typical comic book convention & has evolved into a mixture of comics, toys, anime, sci-fi/horror, and all things dealing with pop culture entertainment.
		Film: The Kingdom of Survival Guild Theater Sept 25 Sun 7:30pm Movies on a Big Screen, always a fun Sacramento nightlife experience, presents The Kingdom of Survival. The film explores modern skepticism in America, challenges the status quo, and uncovers provocative links between survivalist philosophy, ecumenical spirituality, radical political theory, and outlaw culture.

 
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Free Night of Theater Sacramento

Free Night of Theater is a national program that campaigns to raise the awareness of and attract new audiences to live theatrical performances. From Sept 9-Sept 23, Free Night of Theater invites you to get free admission to Sacramento productions this October, by entering to win tickets on the Free Night of Theater website.

Artober is on the horizon!

October is National Arts & Humanities month, and Sacramento is celebrating in a big way this year.

Check Sacramento365.com's Artober listings & find out what's happening!

Prelude to the Season

Sacramento365.com is proud to announce our nomination for the Arts/Business Partnership award at Prelude to the Season--an exciting celebration honoring those who impact our region's culture.

 

Want the chance for more discounts or free tickets to shows?
Sacramento365.com does regular ticket giveaways on our Facebook fan page. Become a fan to be notified of deals, discounts, and the chance to win free tickets to events!

Featured Local Artist of the Month: Nanci Zoppi

Learn about actress & singer Nanci Zoppi in her Featured Artist Profile.

• Tales of the Central City – An Overview of Early Sacramento History explains how Sacramento became California’s Capital City as you walk the original route of the famed Pony Express. 
• Structural Stories – Local Examples of Historical Architecture Styles showcases iconic Sacramento architecture such as the renaissance-style Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and the art deco Crest Theatre. 
• Art is All Around Us – A Tour of Sacramento’s Collection of Art in Public Places showcases works of art that have been permanently installed into downtown Sacramento’s buildings and natural environments. 
• Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow – K Street Commerce, Growth and Redevelopment features the history of Sacramento’s first commercial district, which began as a vaudeville and entertainment hotspot, as well as the future developments planned for the historic district.
• The Art of Terra Cotta – An Architecture Tour Featuring Local Clay Artisans Gladding McBean highlights downtown Sacramento’s best examples of terra cotta and the contribution of the famous studio to Sacramento and the world.

This Week: Slide into a Festive September
Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

		Music: The Golden Cadillacs Torch Club Aug 31 Wed 9pm These country/soul pickers share their honey-baked California country rock with anyone who's ever hung their head at a bar searching for answers at the bottom of a drink.
		Sports & Rec: River Cats Fan Appreciation Night Raley Field Sept 1 Thurs 7:05pm Be here for the final home game of the season as the River Cats play the Las Vegas 51s. Staff and players will greet fans at the entrance gates and prizes will be given out throughout the game.
		Festivals: Sacramento Greek Festival Sacramento Convention Center Sept 2-Sept 4 Fri 11am-11pm; Sat Noon-11pm; Sun Noon-10pm One of the most prominent heritage festivals in Sacramento, this celebration is devoted to the traditional foods, entertainment, and displays of the Greek Community.
		Festivals: Rainbow Festival 20th & K Streets Sept 2-Sept 4 Fri & Sat Times Vary; Sun 10am-6pm A celebration of pride for the GLBTI community and its friends, Rainbow Festival focuses on the strength and diversity of the community by simply having fun.
		Festivals: Gold Rush Days Old Sacramento Sept 3-Sept 5 Sat-Mon 10am-5pm Turn back time to the 1850s during the glory days of the Gold Rush. Enjoy all the old favorites plus new attractions and free entrance to all five museums in Old Sac.
		Festivals: Chalk It Up! Fremont Park Sept 3-Sept 5 Sat-Mon 10am-6pm Celebrate the talents of hundreds of local artists & musicians at Sacramento's favorite family festival. There is truly something for everyone of any age to enjoy, with a broad variety of community groups, craft booths, kid's art activities, live music, gourmet food trucks, & a wine and beer garden.
		Kids & Fam: Family & Children's Tour Sacramento Historic City Cemetery Sept 3 Sat 10am Children are encouraged to participate as they tell tales, explore cemetery wildlife, and uncover secrets from the past.
		Music: March to the Beat of One Heart Concert Antiquite Maison Privee Sept 3 Sat 6pm-11pm A benefit for Doctors Without Borders in Somalia, enjoy performances by Lee Bob Watson, Electropoetic Coffee, Harley White Jr. Trio, and many others.
		Theatre: Drinking Habits Chautauqua Playhouse Ongoing-Sept 25 Fri & Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm Accusations, mistaken identities, and romances run wild in this traditional, laugh-out-loud farce.
		Music: Handsome Furs Townhouse Lounge Sept 4 Sun 8pm Concerts 4 Charity & Record Club present Montreal-based indie rock duo Handsome Furs, who are stopping in Sacramento to support their critically-acclaimed new album, Sound Kapital. Also performing are UUNS & Talkdemonic.

 
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Staying in town over Labor Day Weekend?
Become a fan of our Facebook fan page and stay tuned mid-week for a collection of activities happening this Labor Day Weekend!

Come say hi to Sacramento365.com at these events!

Sat, Sept 3-Mon, Sept 5: Chalk It Up! at Fremont Park. Be sure to keep an eye out for our Sac365.com square, designed by Margo Mullen!

Featured Local Artist of the Month: Goran K. King

Learn about sculptor Goran K. King in his Featured Artist Profile.