City of Trees, Cow Town, Farm to Fork Capital, Sacto…Sacramento has a lot of nicknames. Many people think San Francisco is the capital of California, and to those people, I say, “Um, as if.” (Cue the California lilt). It’s actually the “little big” city of Sacramento! As someone who moved here from an itty-bitty town 23 years ago, I feel qualified to speak to what makes it such an incredible place and to share some of the best things to do during your visit. If you happen to be visiting for Pilates On Tour®, Sacramento, everything listed here is a short drive or walk away from the event venue!
The Arts
The thing I love most about this city is the vast array of creative types and places to appreciate art, music, performance, and everything in between.
Verge Center for the Arts
While Crocker Art Museum is a crowd favorite and the largest museum in Sacramento to peruse visual arts, Verge is an often-overlooked gem. A hub of culture, contemporary art, and ideas, Verge is the place to see emerging and local artists’ work.
Sacramento Comedy Spot
Comedy Spot, a non-profit dedicated to creating a space “where people can connect to one another, escape adulting, and be creative,” is my home away from home, with a warm and welcoming community of improv players, stand-up comedians, and lovers of laughter. (If you’re lucky enough to be in town during the monthly occasion, You! The Musical is a wild, side-splitting, entirely-improvised…well, musical).
B Street Theatre at the Sofia
The Sofia has multiple stages and hosts plays, music, and more. B Street Theatre is the main stage, where you can see incredible locally-produced plays. (Have I mentioned how talented Sacramentans are?)
Harlow’s or Red Museum
The two best venues in town to see bands play (local and touring). Harlow’s is a solid Sacramento favorite, patronized by many. Red Museum is my personal fave; a lesser-known DIY music & art space where you can see an eclectic variety of wonderfully weird, or normally wonderful, musicians and bands.
Sports & Recreation
Not an aesthete (nice word for artsy-fartsy) type? No problem, I’ve got you covered. Here are some mirthful activities that don’t involve polite applause.
See a Kings Game
One thing about Sacramento (even if you’re not a sports fan), we are extremely proud of The Beam. What is The Beam, you ask? Well, imagine a Bat Signal except purple and one that seems to shoot all the way into outer space. If you see The Beam, that means our home basketball team, The Kings, has won a game. All that city pride leads to some pretty spectacularly energetic games at the arena!
Underground Mini Golf
Okay, hear me out. It might not be the biggest mini golf course (because it’s, like, underground), but it is definitely unique to Sacramento, and a great excuse to say “hold my beer” while you attempt to hit a ball under a miniature wheat mill. It’s also a fantastic way to start your journey through Old Sac, including spending more time like a mole rat at the After Hours Underground Tours.
Rock Climbing at Pipeworks
A Sacramento staple since 2001, Pipeworks is a huge indoor rock climbing, bouldering, and fitness gym where you can channel your inner child and PLAY! (And you can also channel your inner adult by stopping by their onsite brewery/taproom after working up an appetite).
Eats & Drinks
Close your eyes, throw a rock in any direction, and you’re sure to hit a great restaurant, bar, or cafè.
Tower Café – International
The locals would throw me in jail if I didn’t put this place on the list, and rightfully so. Tower Café is a maximalist’s dream; it has a lush green outdoor patio, and the interior is decorated to the brim with international art and decor. Their menu features dishes from around the world, and there’s something for everyone!
Drunken Noodle – Thai
A tiny hole-in-the-wall in the heart of midtown, Drunken Noodle is hands-down my favorite Thai restaurant in possibly the whole state. Simply put, it’s affordable, delectable, and conveniently located.
Frank Fat’s – Chinese-American
Family-owned since 1939, Frank Fat’s knows what they’re doing. Serving up delicious “modern” and traditional Cantonese-style dishes, this place is also a historic landmark, once the go-to place for after-hours legislative meetings.
Queen Sheba – Ethiopian
A vegan’s paradise (don’t worry, meat lovers, there are lots of non-veggie dishes to choose from), I frequent Queen Sheba more than any other restaurant. The dishes are colorful, filling, and absolutely bursting with flavorful spices and sauces.
Milka – Coffee Roasters
It was impossible to choose one coffee place for this list. Just like we’re known for our bar scene, we’re also known for our local coffee roasteries. I landed on Milka because, on top of crafting amazing beverages, the vibe is impeccable. Set in a Victorian home, it’s quiet and serene.
Butterscotch Den – Bar and Self-Grill
You read that right. Grill your own freshly butchered steak while knocking back an exceptional cocktail (with the option to add a dash of caviar!?). Plus, enjoy live jazz Tuesdays & Thursdays. If you want to feel hip and happening, this is the place to go.
Golden Bear – Bar, Food, & Music
This one is for those who don’t mind their bar a little rough-and-tumble and want to go where the locals are. The food is always good (I HIGHLY recommend the kimchi fried rice), and you can also catch live local bands and open mics at this buzzing, quintessentially Sacramento bar.
Gunther’s – Ice Cream
A little outside the midtown grid, in Curtis Park, Gunther’s is another long-time Sacramento spot. Staying true to their original 1940s recipe, their hand-crafted ice cream contains a higher percentage of butterfat than commercial ice cream, making it extra creamy and addictive.
Last-Minute Additions, Because I Could Go On Forever
Okay, okay. I can’t possibly name every amazing place to visit in Sacramento. So rapid fire, here are some other cool things to do/see: Evangeline’s (year-round costume shop), Sacramento Roller Derby, mermaids at Dive Bar, weird breakfast at Pancake Circus (do not go if you’re afraid of clowns), Rose Garden at the Capitol, used reads at Beer’s Books, jazz and blues at Shady Lady Saloon, Temple Coffee. Phew!
Enjoy your visit to Sactown! 😎
Clare is the Marketing Specialist and podcast co-producer at Balanced Body and founder of Mother Soil Design (web design & consulting). As a former yoga instructor and gym rat who has spent many years working at a holistic fitness facility, Clare has extensive experience in the fitness and wellness space. Pilates is a recent but powerful addition to her exercise repertoire, aiding her in combating symptoms of chronic illness, ADHD, and the trials of everyday life.
