Why sacramento is awesome

I'm a sucker for a greasy spoon. This adorable little diner, situated in downtown Sacramento, is an amazing spot to spend a rainy Monday morning. I got black coffee, runny eggs, and crisp bacon and spent some time reading here. Bring cash. I love coffee shops not only because I work remotely. There's something very soothing about sitting in a coffee shop, watching the world go by while sipping something yummy and hot.

So it's not a surprise that one of my favorite things to do in Sacramento was to curl up with a cup of coffee. They were all nice, with Temple being the busiest, but also most aesthetically pleasing - a copper penny store, long counters, and big, wide windows.

For a quieter spot, I'd recommend Pachamama. I sat there for hours, cycling through water and Lavender Lattes while I worked.

Even if you never visit Sacramento, try their coffee. I love stand up comedy. I did it once, even. This was one of the most unique things to do in Sacramento. The comics were funny, the food was great they have grilled cheeeeeeese , and the crowd was chill. I was traveling alone, so this was also something social that didn't require a ton of commitment. I chatted with a few locals after the show, comparing the Wilmington where I live and Sacramento stand up scenes.

I haven't always been a big comic book girl, but my beau loves comic books, as do a lot of my friends here in Wilmington. What I found was a diverse, safe space. People sitting around tables, talking about Magic The Gathering in hushed tones. Friends laughing. The guy behind the counter chatting up a regular. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. San Francisco and Sacramento share a common history: the Gold Rush rocketed both cities into booming metropolitans.

Today, they're more commonly linked by the bustling mile thruway that hosts commuters and travelers seeking the wealth of business and attractions in each city. Whether your trip is business or pleasure, here are all the ways to travel from Sacramento to San Francisco and back again. Thanks to a direct route via Interstate 80, the mile trek from Sacramento to San Francisco is easily traveled by car in roughly two hours. Note that the route is more utilitarian than scenic, passing through long stretches of barren fields, so prepare your in-car entertainment accordingly.

Since I visited Sacramento during springtime, the flowers and trees were in full bloom. Of all the parks I visited on my day trip, Capitol Park was definitely my favorite. I expected a lot of government buildings coming to Capitol Park but it surprised me with a beautiful garden, long walkways that were perfect for afternoon strolls, and the sight of the capitol building that would slowly disappear behind the California State Capitol Museum as I walked towards it.

To continue the architectural journey, drive to East Sacramento and admire the beautiful homes there. Former U. President Ronald Reagan also lived there for a brief period. This is one of my favorite things to do in Sacramento! Sacramento locals seem to take a lot of pride in McKinley Park. During my day trip, I walked around the park and saw greenery that extended four blocks one way and two blocks the other.

There was also a lake that reflected the setting sun. My recommendation on spending a perfect afternoon at McKinley Park is to have a picnic there during sunset. The grocery store Safeway is just 2 blocks away.

You can stop by beforehand and pick up ingredients to form your picnic basket. Sacramento has 28 museums, displaying everything from historic railroads to modern art. Visiting a museum is one of the best things to do in Sacramento California. I stumbled upon a few while wandering around Old Sacramento, including Crocker Art Museum that was just a few blocks past the Tower Bridge.

Another historical gem, the Old Sugar Mill was built in as a beet sugar refinery. A cow town. Then an asteroid hit San Francisco in the form of the tech industry, and the aftershock of the boom reverberated far beyond the boundaries of the nine Bay Area counties. In recent years, the climbing cost of living amid the influx of tech wealth has forced an exodus of longtime Bay Area residents that has irrevocably changed the surrounding cities as well.

They leave for cities like Portland, Oregon; Austin, Texas; and now, more and more frequently, Sacramento, seeking affordable housing, good schools and more space for children. Quarter after quarter, the city has ranked as a top destination for those leaving the Bay Area, according to the real estate website Redfin.

An estimated 24, moved from the Bay Area to Sacramento in , and 27, moved in , according to the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. Today, downtown and midtown Sacramento are reminiscent of downtown San Francisco with all its construction equipment, scaffolding and work sites.

Talk of new apartments or condominiums on this street or that one pop up as suddenly as the buildings themselves. Amid all this development, the city now known as the hometown of the Oscar-nominated film Lady Bird has carved out a spot for itself in the farm-to-fork movement in California, with new restaurants, coffee shop wine bars and local craft breweries.

Housing is affordable.