Sacramento, California
Sacramento, California

There’s a lot more than just politics going on in California’s state capital these days. For those aiming to spend some time visiting Sacramento, here’s what’s cooking in the farm-to-fork capital—and where to spend your time:

1. Food

A few starters
A few starters

If food is a determining factor in the overall success of your stay while traveling, you’re in luck. As the largest agricultural producer in the nation, Sacramento is surrounded by farms and has some of the best eateries on the west coast. The proximity of local farms to restaurants allows chefs the opportunity to buy fresh produce every morning and determine the day’s menu based on their produce purchases. Here’s a long list of restaurants in Sacramento.

Proprietors and pioneers Patrick and Bobbin Mulvaney
Proprietors and pioneers Patrick and Bobbin Mulvaney

Whether you’re in town for business or traveling with family, one restaurant you should visit for certain is Mulvaney’s B&L. Proprietors Patrick and Bobbin Mulvaney have spent their lives crafting a community based around the goodness of food and the results of their efforts can be seen throughout Sacramento. As they put it best, “Mulvaney’s B&L is many things. We’re a restaurant that specializes in hand-crafted New American cuisine, a farm-to-table devotee that celebrates the efforts of the growers, ranchers, brewers and winemakers who are our neighbors, purveyors and friends.” Great people.

Old Soul Co.
Old Soul Co.

Old Soul Co. is a great place to spend some time having coffee, enjoying something from the bakery, or both. The locally owned boutique coffee roaster, bakery and artisanal hot spot is in the hip Midtown area of Sacramento.

2. The farmer’s markets

Peppers at the Farmer's Market
Peppers at the Farmer’s Market

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday you’ll find arguably the best farmer’s markets offered in America. As chefs, locals and visitors stroll through a sea of produce it’s hard not to notice the vibrant colors of the fresh produce jumping at you from every direction. The farmers providing the food adventure are always willing to fulfill your curiosities by proving samples of everything they offer, so don’t be afraid to ask. It’s a remarkable display of pride and passion at every turn.

3. The Farm-to-Fork celebration

Farm-to-Fork
Farm-to-Fork

There’s no place for foodies and wine-lovers like Sacramento in September. The region’s Farm-to-Fork celebration—taking place September 14-24, 2017—highlights the area’s culinary scene with daily restaurant specials, farm dinners, street fairs, and other exciting events. One standout event is the Farm-to-Fork Festival on September 23rd, featuring food, wine, and beer vendors along with farm displays, kids’ activities, cooking demonstrations, live music, and more.

Seating at the Tower Bridge Dinner
Seating at the Tower Bridge Dinner

And if you’re in town for Farm-to-Fork, try to attend the event’s most popular fundraiser: the Tower Bridge Dinner. This fantastic event serves as the Farm-to-Fork celebration’s finale, with hundreds of diners enjoying a locally sourced dinner at one of the region’s best-known landmarks. Guests at the family-style meal are treated to a dinner that highlights a collaboration between Sacramento’s farmers and chefs. The dinner is also the Farm-to-Fork program’s most important fundraiser, with ticket proceeds going directly to fund the free annual Farm-to-Fork Festival and other related program events throughout the year. Get tickets here.

4. The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection

My room at The Citizen, where no two room are alike
My room at The Citizen, where no two room are alike

Built in the illustrious California Life Insurance Building, The Citizen Hotel is a great place to hang your hat while visiting Sacramento. Centrally located in downtown, The Citizen provides great accommodations at an affordable price point and has become the popular spot among visitors accustomed to the high-end amenities provided for today’s modern traveler. An Autograph Collection hotel, The Citizen offers several room rates and hotel specials as well as Marriot Rewards points.

Breakfast at Grange
Breakfast at Grange

There are a lot of great spots to start your day at in Sacramento, but here, there’s no reason to leave the hotel for breakfast. Located in The Citizen is Grange, a local farm-to-fork restaurant that also provides a great lunch and dinner menu. Since I started my days there I’d have to suggest you do, as well.

5. The Golden 1 Center

Golden 1 Center
Golden 1 Center

Home of Sacramento Kings professional basketball team, the Golden 1 Center also hosts concerts, conventions, and other sporting and entertainment events. Completed in 2016, the 100% solar-powered arena in the heart of downtown is a short walk from The Citizen Hotel and prides itself on having a one-of-a-kind, hyper-local food and sustainability program for a world-class sports and entertainment venue.

7. The Crocker Art Museum

The Crocker Art Museum
The Crocker Art Museum

For art enthusiasts, The Crocker Art Museum features the world’s foremost display of California art and is renowned for its holdings of European master drawings and international ceramics. Consisting of two buildings—the Historic Building and the Family Pavilion—it’s a great collection and very easy to get to.

8. Old Sacramento

Old Sacramento
Old Sacramento

This historic 28-acre Old Sacramento district located next to the Tower Bridge on the Sacramento River is home to dozens of locally owned and operated shops, restaurants, tours, and railway excursions. If you or the kids have a sweet tooth, you’re certain to get you sugar fix filled by one of the many candy shops located in Old Sacramento.

9. The California State Railway Museum

One of many restored cars at the California State Railroad Museum
One of many restored cars at the California State Railroad Museum

The California State Railway Museum is worth the price of admission (adults $12; ages 6-17 $6; kids 5 and under free). Originally I wasn’t slated to visit the museum, but since it’s located in Old Sacramento I found the time to pop in—and I’m glad I did. This little gem is home to 225,000 square feet of exhibits and beautifully restored railroad cars and locomotives that illustrate railroad history in California and the west.

10. The State Capitol Building

The State Capitol Building
The State Capitol Building

The Capitol Building is always an option if you’re looking to soak up some California history with a chaser of the state’s working seat of government. Art and history tours are offered to both small and large groups. Check the website to find out about tour times, building security, parking, how to get here, and other information related to planning your visit to the Capitol.


For more on Sacramento, check out visitsacramento.com.

Drinks at Grange
Drinks at Grange
Golden 1 Center
Golden 1 Center
Golden 1 Center
Golden 1 Center
Passenger train passing Tower Bridge
Passenger train passing Tower Bridge
The Citizen Hotel
The Citizen Hotel
The Citizen Hotel
The Citizen Hotel
My room at the Citizen, where no two room are alike
My room at the Citizen, where no two room are alike
Pioneers of Farm-to-Fork
Pioneers of Farm-to-Fork
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
The Citizen Hotel
The Citizen Hotel
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Crocker Museum
The Crocker Museum
Art at the Crocker Museum
Art at the Crocker Museum
Art at the Crocker Museum
Art at the Crocker Museum
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Colorful tomatoes from a farmer's market
Colorful tomatoes from a farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Candy store in Old Sacramento
Candy store in Old Sacramento
Grange at The Citizen
Grange at The Citizen
Grange at The Citizen
Grange at The Citizen
Grange at The Citizen
Grange at The Citizen
Grange at The Citizen
Grange at The Citizen
Grange at The Citizen
Grange at The Citizen
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
On the bridge
On the bridge
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge Dinner
The Tower Bridge Dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge dinner
The Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge
California State Railroad Museum
California State Railroad Museum
California State Railroad Museum
California State Railroad Museum
California State Railroad Museum
California State Railroad Museum
Light rail on Kay Street
Light rail on Kay Street
The Crocker Museum
The Crocker Museum
The Crocker Museum
The Crocker Museum
The Crocker Museum
The Crocker Museum
The Citizen
The Citizen
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
The Citizen
The Citizen
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Farm-to-Fork celebration
Big Stump Brewery
Big Stump Brewery
Big Stump Brewery
Big Stump Brewery
Big Stump Brewery
Big Stump Brewery
Big Stump Brewery
Big Stump Brewery
A local bike shop
A local bike shop
Old Soul Co.
Old Soul Co.
Old Soul Co.
Old Soul Co.
Old Soul Co.
Old Soul Co.
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Mulvaney's B&L
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Midtown, Sacramento
Jacob Dylan performs at Farm-to-Fork
Jacob Dylan performs at Farm-to-Fork
Jacob Dylan performs at Farm-to-Fork
Jacob Dylan performs at Farm-to-Fork
A beer truck
A beer truck
I just couldn't resist
I just couldn't resist
Golden 1 Center
Golden 1 Center
Golden 1 Center
Golden 1 Center
Golden 1 Center
Golden 1 Center
With the pioneers of the farmer's market
With the pioneers of the farmer's market

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