Schmap Sacramento Neighborhood Guide

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Sacramento - Neighborhood Guide
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Sacramento Home
Schmap Sacramento guide and map

Situated at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers, Sacramento is a city of contrast, defying expectations that the capital of a state must be a bustling metropolis studded with sleek steel and glass towers. There are buildings fitting that description clustered Downtown, but the heart of California's capital city has tree-shaded streets lined with elegant Victorian homes. Unlike most major metropolitan areas that grew from a civic center, Sacramento started from several small communities that grew together.

Today, within the sprawling metropolis, the influence of these original settlements can be seen throughout the city. Just a few minutes southeast of Sacramento International Airport along Interstate 5, Sacramento visitors are rewarded with sweeping views of the river meandering down to the Delta. Sacramento's tiny settlement grew explosively with the discovery of gold. Disappointed gold-seekers returned from the gold fields and founded the surrounding towns. Today, the Sacramento region extends west from Davis and Woodland to the lovingly preserved frontier town of Auburn, northeast along Interstate 80, and to vacation spots in the Sacramento River Delta. Sacramento has grown from a tent city to the capital of California and has never forgotten its colorful Gold Rush roots.

Regardless of which part of Sacramento you plan to visit, rest assured that here along the banks of the river with its Gold Rush past you will find a city with a promising future. It is, after all, the location of bustling and productive new enterprises, home to a major university and the seat of government for the great state of California.

Old Sacramento/Downtown/Midtown

Since its humble beginnings as a tent city, Sacramento's fate has been intertwined with its namesake, the Sacramento River. Today, Old Sacramento is a 12-block restored neighborhood between the river and Interstate 5 and is a state historic district with interesting old stone and brick buildings. There is a world-class comedy club, a live theatre, elegant restaurants with sweeping views of the river, candy stores, costume shops, pubs and bookstores to be found along the canopied plank sidewalks. The focal point of Downtown is the Downtown Plaza, reached from Old Sacramento through a pedestrian tunnel. This open-air mall (cooled with suspended "misters" during the summer) features a megaplex movie theater, department stores, a bookstore, specialty clothing stores and much more. Plaza shoppers are entertained by strolling musicians, jugglers, acrobats and mimes.

Beyond the plaza is the K Street Mall, which extends several blocks to the east and is home to the Crest Theater. This Art Deco venue was a vaudeville theater that has been restored and is now a repertory cinema featuring art and foreign titles. Further down K Street is the Esquire IMAX Theatre with its six-story tall screen, several vintage record stores, novelty shops, a blues club and several splashy psychedelic murals painted on the dignified walls.

The trees grab the attention of the first-time visitor to the Midtown district. Throughout the city, there are more than 250,000 varieties of fruit, flowering and palm trees. Many of the trees are huge elms and oaks planted by homesick settlers. In the summers, when temperatures average in the high 90s, the cool shade of the trees is welcome. Along the shaded streets are several cutting-edge off-Broadway theaters, a diversity of art galleries, fine and down-home dining establishments, as well as nightspots catering to every taste.

North Sacramento

Across the American River, this old neighborhood centered on Del Paso Boulevard has more than a dozen galleries, including Michael Himovitz Gallery one of the largest galleries exhibiting nationally recognized artists. Today, spiffed up and known as Uptown, the area has also attracted interesting restaurants and cafes, and other businesses busily renovating the old neighborhood. To the east is Arden Fair Mall, with theaters, restaurants and a multitude of shopping opportunities.

Folsom

East of Downtown Sacramento, the town of Folsom traces its history directly to the Gold Rush. Along a four-block stretch of Sutter Street, now designated a historic district, are restaurants, coffeehouses and boutiques. Also, here, you will find the Folsom Zoo, affectionately nicknamed the "Misfit Zoo," which provides a haven for injured animals such as bears, bobcats, wolves, dogs and domestic cats.

Davis

Unfortunately, the Sacramento River that did so much to put the city on the map also had the alarming habit of flooding on a regular basis. The early town was practically erased several times before levees and the Yolo Bypass were built. The Causeway, a section of Interstate 80 on stilts, crosses the Yolo Bypass and connects Downtown Sacramento with Davis. The University of California, Davis, attracts thousands of students and faculty with a taste for non-mainstream entertainment. Most evenings, the Downtown streets overflow with townsfolk seeking unique events such as poetry readings, live theater, gallery openings and music concerts.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Downtown/Midtown

Sacramento
United States

The focal point of downtown is the Downtown Plaza, reached from Old Sacramento through a pedestrian tunnel. This open-air mall (cooled with suspended ¡°misters¡± during the summer) features a megaplex movie theater, department stores, a bookstore, specialty clothing stores and much more. Plaza shoppers are entertained by strolling musicians, jugglers, acrobats and mimes. The trees grab the attention of the first-time visitor to the Midtown district. Throughout the city, there are more than 250,000 varieties of fruit, flowering and palm trees. Many of the trees are huge elms and oaks planted by homesick settlers. In the summers, when temperatures average in the high 90s, the cool shade of the trees is welcome. Along the shaded streets are several cutting-edge theaters, a diversity of art galleries, fine and down-home dining establishments, as well as nightspots catering to every taste.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Ian Kennedy

Photo: Donald Childs

Photo: Carol Cotter

Photo: Phoblog

Photo: Brad Lauster

Downtown/Midtown photo by JMMG Photography

Photo: JMMG Photography

East Sacramento

Sacramento
United States
Just east of downtown, this is a quiet residential area. The Fabulous Forties, an area between 40th and 49th streets, is known for its palatial houses. The American River is nearby, and it is convenient and pleasant for picnicking, biking, and fishing. A line of shops and strip malls runs along Alhambra and Folsom boulevards.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Lauren Deardorff
Photo: christine smythe
Photo: jazzygirl916

Land Park

Sacramento
United States
About 10 minutes from downtown, Land Park is an expensive residential area near William Land Park. The park features a zoo and Fairytale Land, a children's park. It also contains soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and an amphitheater. The Sacramento Marina calls the northwest area of Land Park home.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: John Lewis
Photo: Marjorie Schreiber
Photo: Brendan
Photo: Kristin Echols
Photo: Christine Rogers
Photo: premitive1
Photo: tallskinnyracer
Photo: Allison M. Rude

North Sacramento

Sacramento
United States
Across the American River, this old neighborhood centered on Del Paso Boulevard has more than a dozen galleries, including Michael Himovitz Gallery one of the largest galleries exhibiting nationally recognized artists. Today, spiffed up and known as Uptown, the area has also attracted interesting restaurants and cafes, and other businesses busily renovating the old neighborhood. To the east is Arden Fair Mall, with theaters, restaurants and a multitude of shopping opportunities.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: James Tran
Photo: Weaver Womyn
Photo: liloazngurlspice
Photo: Jody Leach

Old Sacramento

Sacramento
United States
Since its humble beginnings as a tent city, Sacramento's fate has been intertwined with its namesake, the Sacramento River. Today, Old Sacramento is a 12-block restored neighborhood between the river and Interstate 5 and is a state historic district with interesting old stone and brick buildings. There is a world-class comedy club, a live theatre, elegant restaurants with sweeping views of the river, candy stores, costume shops, pubs and bookstores to be found along the canopied plank sidewalks.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Steven Kreuzer
Photo: Wearn
Photo: Linda Wampach
Photo: Poppy Wright
Photo: kim smith
Photo: Marilyn
Photo: Jill Huang
Photo: Michael Sharps

Photo: April C. Capanna
Photo: Chrissy Lewin
Photo: Shell James
Photo: Nathan D. Chilton
Photo: Christian Ostrosky
Photo: Reena Johnson
Photo: Monica Chian
Photo: Jason Whitaker

Photo: Seth Pearl
Photo: Bonnie Real
Photo: ragdegmahllig
Photo: iam4ranny
Photo: John Ehinger
Photo: zoost3
Photo: Paul V. Oliva
Photo: Richard Beebe

Photo: fnz007
Photo: Christine McGarry
Photo: Reni Orayani
Photo: Sister Luke

South Natomas

Sacramento
United States
Just across the river from downtown, and close to the airport, this is a recently built residential area. Development of South Natomas only finished a few years ago and has now spread north and west. As a newly dense area, South Natomas is still developing its character--as of now, it's mostly suburbs and chain stores. Bordered by the Sacramento River to the west and the American River to the south, there are opportunities for river activities such as fishing and boating. Like other parts of Sacramento, it's ethnically diverse and includes a large Pakistani and Indian minority.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Mary Yamada

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Sacramento - Neighborhood Guide"
Sacramento
Sacramento - Historical Background
Sacramento - Where to Stay
Sacramento - Dining & Drinking
Sacramento - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Napa Valley (85 miles)
Berkeley (108 miles)
San Francisco (116 miles)
Lake Tahoe (138 miles)
San Jose and Silicon Valley (145 miles)
Reno (177 miles)
Yosemite (185 miles)
Monterey and Carmel (227 miles)
Los Angeles (594 miles)
Las Vegas (641 miles)

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