Nestled in the middle of Sacramento's bustling metropolis are some of the hottest party spots in the country. Rated as one of America's top 40 cities by Forbes, you can bet that no matter what type of nightlife entertainment you're looking for, you'll find it in Sacramento.
Look downtown for some of the most trendy place such as rave bars, modern music, brightly lit animated dance floors and an abundance of watering holes which attract the 20-30 year old crowd.
There are well over 50 nightclubs within a short 15 mile drive of the city's center. For more mature tastes, a night at the ballet or theatre is an excellent alternative. Karaoke bars are another favorite for young or old alike.
Sports bars are available for the armchair athletes who like company during the night games, as well as many fine restaurants, cozy cafes and lots of movie theatres. Plenty of singles spots and family entertainment are available with a little something for everyone.
In a recent survey, the city of Sacramento was ranked number 13 out of 40 major metropolis areas as a good place for singles. Although the city presents a rather tranquil appearance, there is a very active singles scene just beneath the surface.
One popular resource for singles are the dance halls where they can meet to dance and mingle. Group dating is also quite popular in the area, usually involving three or more couples who are often unknown to one another. It is not uncommon for them to meet for the first time and go out together.
Online services seem to be quite numerous for those looking to meet dates without even having to leave their homes. There are both free and professional dating services available here, including one internationally known service that does everything, from making the initial match to calling your secretary to get your schedule, and even making reservations for you.
Although Sacramento may not have the glamour of some of California’s better known cities, it has a wide variety of dating options and vibrant night life. There are several colleges in the area and it is the capital of the State. This leads to an ample supply of singles, and provides cultural and recreational opportunities for dating adventures.
There are plenty of places to see and things to do in Sacramento. Head out into the city and enjoy the modern amenities like shopping, nightlife, and a fantastic dining experience.
Old Sacramento
Once the center of the city during the gold rush, it became a virtual slum when modernization came to the capital and the commercial district gradually moved east. Today, Old Sacramento features 28 acres of historic buildings and has become a national landmark, and a must see to over 5 million annual visitors.
Downtown Plaza
From Old Sacramento, one can walk from history to the modern era via a pedestrian tunnel. A cornucopia of shopping delights awaits one with an open air market, a modern mall complex, clothing stores, specialty shops, a megaplex cinema and ethnic restaurants.
Sutter's Fort State Park
The historical center of the area, Sutter’s Fort State Park features much of the memorabilia from John Sutter, his partners and descendants as well as artifacts from the pioneer period and the Gold Rush era. A reconstructed 1839 adobe structure houses the collection.
State Capital Building
Constructed between 1869 and 1874, the State Capital building is a prime example of an American Renaissance work. It features Roman Corinthian columns, a shining copper dome, and rooftop sculptures. Topped with a 30 inch glittering gold ball, it is a breathtaking sight. Surrounding the building itself is the 40 acre Capitol Park with fragrant rose gardens and over 400 trees and exotic plants from around the world.
California's capital city, Sacramento, features a true melting pot of dining experiences typical of American cuisine.
For authentic Bologna style Italian cuisine, head on over to Biba on Capitol Ave. This restaurant is owned by Biba Caggiano, who has published a collection of nine cookbooks.
The Waterboy offers fine French dining down the street. It features naturally raised meats and local organic produce as well as a very fine selection of wines. Rick Mahan, the owner, also likes to feature traditional American favorites on the menu.
In the trendy mid-town section of the city, Paragary's Bar and Oven features two dining rooms and a wide selection of Mediterranean foods that are sure to delight the most discriminating of diners. The best seats in good weather are outdoors amid the fountains and fauna of the courtyard. There is even a classic British pub, The Fox & Goose Public House, for those who wish to sample some of the numerous beers imported from "across the pond", as well as cuisine with their inspiration taken straight out of the England countryside.
Once you get away from the bustle of the city center, many smaller restaurants abound, from great little coffee clutch cafes, to Mexican cantinas, to that good old American standby, a fast food burger. Whatever your taste, Sacramento has it for you.
The city of Sacramento started with a nugget of gold in 1839. John Marshall uttered the famous words, "Boys, I believe I found a gold mine" at the confluence of two rivers, the Sacramento and the American.
Attracted by the lure of easy money, thousands flooded into the new American territory in one of the greatest gold rushes in history. Sacramento was established primarily as a city to handle the prospector influx in the mid-1880's, and was a rough and tumble old west mining town.
Today, old shade trees and stately homes, Victorian mansions, and well built bungalows line the peaceful streets of Sacramento. They serve to soften a modern mercantile haven, full of fine dining experiences, and home to the political hotbed that thrives below the tranquil surface in California's state capital.
One of the state's fastest growing areas, Sacramento has a population of around 1.8 million people. It is a robust shipping and processing center for most of the local fruit, vegetables, rice, wheat and dairy goods in the Central Valley. In recent years, the city is seeing more spillover from the high-tech Silicon Valley businesses, and an influx to its suburbs from Bay area residents seeking more affordable housing.
Zoos are one of the most interesting places to visit, whether it's during your vacation or a family outing on a Saturday afternoon. They are a wealth of information on some of the most unseen and exotic creatures, and quite simply – it's a lot of fun to see the different types of animals and the behaviors they exhibit.
The Sacramento Zoo offers a variety of exhibits for the entire family to enjoy. The large number of rare and endangered species at the zoo will give you an opportunity to get up close and personal with animals you wouldn't normally encounter. The snow leopard exhibit is one of the most popular, as well as the red pandas. But there are also "traditional" animal exhibits to see as well such as the giraffes, swans, parrots, lemurs, turtles, and many more.
The best part of the Sacramento Zoo is the sprawling environment in which it is set. 100 year old oaks adorn the property and give you a shady place to sit and rest while taking in the sights. The unique gardens are a must if you're going to visit; they're filled with fragrant flowers and fauna.
Over the past year, the Sacramento Zoo has added many new animals to their ever changing exhibits. The black and white ruffed lemur was a thrill for the zoo to get. He was born to his 8 year old parents and has been the life of the zoo ever since – garnering visitors from all over California. Also, four penguins got themselves a temporary exhibit because unlike other penguins at the zoo, these were especially unique. They thrive in Sacramento's warm climate and swim in a lukewarm pool as opposed to the ice cold waters we're used to seeing them in. They are quite a sight to see, and very entertaining!
For the real zoo lovers in all of us, they offer starlight safaris through the zoo in the evening as well as a safari sleepover! Anyone over the age of four years old along with a parent can spend the night in one of the most natural settings in Sacramento. Groups of 50 to 175 people can enjoy camp style programs and an after-hours look at all of their favorite animals.
Whether you're coming for the day or staying over for an evening excursion, there is so much to learn, see, and do at the Sacramento Zoo.
Admission
Adults: $8.50
Seniors: $7.75
Children (3-12): $6
Children (0-2): Free
Measuring only 4 square blocks, McKinley Park has kept much of its natural charm and unbelievable setting over the years…making it a place that everyone can enjoy throughout the day.
McKinley Park is a haven for sports enthusiasts and during the spring and summer months you can always find a game of some sort going on here at the park. There are baseball fields, a soccer field, tennis courts, and horseshoe pits – all of which can be taken advantage of during the warm weather months in Sacramento. The park is also perfect for that afternoon picnic or barbecue.
The mile long trail circling park is perfect for that morning jog or afternoon stroll. There are also several smaller walking trails that wind through the park, giving you plenty of options if you’re looking for something active to do. If exercise isn’t what you had in mind, then you should take a tour of their beautiful rose garden.
Located on H Street, near 33rd, the rose garden in McKinley Park was created in 1928. This lush 1.5 acre garden contains over 1,000 rose bushes, rose trees, and blooming annuals. The rose garden is available for rent and has been a local favorite for weddings and other social events.
With over 275 acres of mature trees and grasslands, Discovery Park offers a plethora of activities for you to enjoy. Whether you're looking to have a picnic, go horseback riding, or just a leisurely stroll through the park - there is much to be found and "discovered" in Discovery Park.
Highly regarded as one of the best boat launches in Sacramento, many people spend the day fishing or just hanging out while taking in the beautiful scenery of the city. There is even an archery range for those who are into camp style sports. Picnic spots are plentiful, and on just about any day of the week you can see tons of families and couples enjoying a picnic beneath a shady tree.
If you’re looking for something a little more active, bring your bike and take a ride along the 32-mile Jedediah Smith Bike Trail which circles the park. Alternatively, you can enjoy a hike or walk on several smaller trails nestled throughout the park.
During the summer, take in one of their free summer concerts that attract not only local bands but some pretty famous ones as well. There is a total diversity of local acts that make their way to the park to entertain the hundreds of people that come out for a real taste of Sacramento.
Discovered over 100 years ago, millions of people have made this park a place where they can meet and greet, have lunch, enjoy the sun, and catch great fish. If you haven’t visited this park then it is time to get out there and join them. You’ll be glad you did!
Getting There
Discovery Park is relatively easy to find. Take the Richards Blvd exit from the I-5 and then head westbound till you reach the South entrance of the park.
Over 160,000 people already know that Crocker Art Museum is a hidden gem among art museums, but many more are figuring this out everyday. Since the opening of the museum in 1885, the mission of Crocker Art Museum has been to bring enthusiasm to the wonderful world of art.
The Crocker Art Museum offers diverse collections for locals and tourists alike to enjoy; they also have events and programs that are specific to California. The Californian art is one of the state’s premiere collections and many people enjoy coming to look at local artists and their creations. They also have world-renowned Old Master drawings as well as a significant amount of Asian inspired art and ceramics.
What most people love about the Crocker Art Museum are the 15 changing exhibits that happen annually. Every time you walk into this museum you see something new and interesting. Whether it is to highlight media, cultures, or time periods, it feels like you are visiting the museum for the first time. In 2010, they’re planning a large expansion that will triple the museum in size so that they can give back to the many visitors that grace their doors every year. It will also help to showcase their permanent collections and draw new people into the museum.
The Crocker Museum is also believed to be hotbed for hauntings and other paranormal activity. A few years back, a paranormal researcher spent some time there walking through with a person adept to EMF, Electromagnetic Fields. These people claim that they can feel energy from the person who is "haunting" a building or a home. More specifically, the researcher pinpointed a very strong EMF level in the East Wing…where he felt the presence of someone named Maggie or Eleanor. Turns out, Margaret Eleanor Crocker was the wife of Judge Crocker, the founder of the museum. Margaret was extremely spiritual as well as genuinely passionate about the arts. Many believe that Margaret’s ghost still resides in the museum today.
Museum Information
Currently their hours are from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, with Thursdays staying open till 9pm. The art museum is very inexpensive to visit at only $6.00 a ticket for adults. You’ll enjoy free admission on Sunday’s from 10am to 1pm. There is simply no better way to spend a Sunday morning.
Sacramento, the capital city of California, was recently ranked as number 13 in a list of best cities for singles in the United States. It is not surprising, therefore, that the city offers some dating ideas for the romantically inclined.
Delta King Hotel
One of the first romantic ideas that comes to mind when thinking of romance is the Delta King Hotel. This converted steamboat cruised the Sacramento river year ago, but now is permanent anchored on the river front and has been converted into a hotel. The Delta King has one of the finer restaurants in the Sacramento area. There is also a dinner theater on board. There are several packages offered that include dinner, and tickets to the theater. One of the packages is called "The Romance Package." However, this might not be appropriate for first dates, as it includes overnight lodging at the hotel with turn down service and a continental breakfast in the morning.
Horsedrawn Carriage
Taking a page from New York City and the Capitals of Europe, Sacramento offers a romantic horse drawn carriage tour of the historic downtown area. The Classic Coach Carriage Service is one of the best in the city. They offer four different tours, but since they charge by the hour, they are quite open to letting you plan your own trip. The tours can be educational, but also proceed slowly enough to be conducive to a bit of romance as well.
Romantic Dining
There is always that old standby, the romantic candle lit dinner, to top off the evening. The area boasts many small and intimate restaurants where love can blossom and the palate be satisfied at the same time. If you really want to impress your date, a good choice is The Kitchen. Despite the rather pedestrian name, this restaurant is a treat.
Three or four times a week, The Kitchen features a six course dinner prepared in front of groups of dinners who sit around a large U shaped table and watch the food preparation while the head chef entertains them. One reviewer stated that the chef had missed his calling as a stand up comic. The food is excellent, and you are welcome to seconds and thirds of your favorites. The ambiance is one of elegance and romance. It is quite expensive, but comes highly recommended and most diners say the experience is well worth the additional cost. That's sounds like just the ticket to impress your date and maybe stir a bit of romance.
Day Spa
Another romantic date idea that might be a real icebreaker is a trip to one of the city's spas. One good choice is the Way Within Spa. It features such exotic treats as Swedish, deep-tissue, and Thai yoga massages. The Way Within offers several couples packages specifically designed for daters.
Nestled in the middle of Sacramento's bustling metropolis are some of the hottest party spots in the country. Rated as one of America's top 40 cities by Forbes, you can bet that no matter what type of nightlife entertainment you're looking for, you'll find it in Sacramento.
In a recent survey, the city of Sacramento was ranked number 13 out of 40 major metropolis areas as a good place for singles. Although the city presents a rather tranquil appearance, there is a very active singles scene just beneath the surface.
There are plenty of places to see and things to do in Sacramento. Head out into the city and enjoy the modern amenities like shopping, nightlife, and a fantastic dining experience.
California's capital city, Sacramento, features a true melting pot of dining experiences typical of American cuisine.
The city of Sacramento started with a nugget of gold in 1839. John Marshall uttered the famous words, "Boys, I believe I found a gold mine" at the confluence of two rivers, the Sacramento and the American.
Sacramento, the capital city of California, was recently ranked as number 13 in a list of best cities for singles in the United States. It is not surprising, therefore, that the city offers some dating ideas for the romantically inclined.