Sacramento

Sacramento is the capital of California and sits in the northern Central Valley, where two rivers meet and wind through the city. Wide streets laid out in a grid connect a compact downtown core with residential neighborhoods full of trees, parks, and low-rise buildings.

A trading post from the mid-19th century grew rapidly when prospectors rushed through the region in search of gold. Within a few years of that boom, the city was chosen as the official seat of government for the new state.

Farmers markets and outdoor festivals draw residents every weekend, where local growers bring produce from the surrounding valleys. Theaters and music venues host touring performances alongside regional artists, while breweries and restaurants reflect a mix of immigrant traditions.

An international airport offers connections to many North American destinations, while the downtown area is easy to explore on foot. Visitors planning to see the surroundings should consider renting a car, as public transport runs less frequently outside the core zones.

More than a hundred thousand street trees line boulevards and form shaded canopies in nearly every neighborhood, a rarity among North American cities of this size. On hot summer days these tree canopies provide natural cooling and shape the streetscape significantly.

Location: Sacramento County

Inception: 1849

Elevation above the sea: 14 m

Shares border with: Rio Linda, West Sacramento, Riverview

Website: https://cityofsacramento.gov

GPS coordinates: 38.57528,-121.48611

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:34