The Good Life ~ Sacramento
Exploring a City with a Small-Town Feel and World of PotentialArchive for Casual Fun
Stroll Through Time & Place
With this great mild summer weather, there’s hardly an excuse to not be outside. And I’ve got the perfect stroll and sightsee path for you! Just wear comfy shoes and some sunscreen, maybe a hat, definitely a camera.
Off the I-5 freeway and adjacent to Embassy Suites in Old Sacramento is a stretch of 10-hour parking spots. Grab one of those, pay the meter machine (cash or credit/ATM), and then decide which way to head first.
Let’s say you decide to cross the pedestrian-friendly overpass to find the Crocker Art Museum at 2nd & O. You could spend hours there if you choose – going forward and backward in time and traveling the world through art. And luckily there’s a café and plenty of casual seating to enjoy refreshments and downtime. From there, walk back toward your car (but don’t get in it). Just beyond the street is a railroad and then Promenade with unfettered river views. Stroll the wide tree-lined concrete path enjoying the scenery, people watching, and brushing up on your Sacramento bridge, boat and railroad history. From here, I suggest two options: Either go straight and swiftly end up in Old Sacramento for bountiful dining, shopping and entertainment opportunities…. Or head left across the Tower Bridge to Raley Field and end up in West Sacramento; See a River Cats game or concert there, or take a tour of the facility.
Traversing on foot in this manner, you’ll really get an intimate feeling of the lay of land and gain a better picture of past, present, and possibly even future.
Where to Stay: Embassy Suites, Delta King or Holiday Inn Capital Plaza
(Uh oh – I didn’t mention the shopping plaza nearby or eclectic K Street Mall, did I ?….)
Easy, Breezy Elkhorn Station
A roadside bar and grill with a splash of class, great food, down-home atmosphere, easy vibe… It’s a wonder this place isn’t constantly packed, because if you ask me, it’s a diamond in the rough. Stop by any random day or afternoon and you’re likely to find a talented local band belting out party tunes on the outdoor stage. You might notice a private party taking over part of the outdoor space, students “studying” on the grass, or people with lawn chairs and beach umbrellas. You’re also probably going to notice it’s the kind of place where everyone knows your name – even if you’re not one of them – and that they’re still friendly nonetheless. Situated between Natomas and Woodland, past the airport off I-5 and the River Road, Elkhorn is a literal breath of fresh air, an unusual but easy find, and a true gem if you like low-key hangouts.
They don’t have much of a web presence – aside from some pretty stellar reviews on Yelp – http://www.yelp.com/biz/elkhorn-station-west-sacramento – but here’s the old-school 411:
Elhorn Station
18398 Old River Rd
West Sacramento, CA 95799
(916) 371-1389
Today: Launching of Midtown’s New Bike Share Program
Win-Win Situation
The weather’s glorious, there’s so much to see and do Downtown, and now – just in time for summer fun – the training wheels are coming off. Remember how excited you were to get your first banana-seat bike, Huffy, ten-speed, beach cruiser?! Don’t leave all the fun, fresh air and frolicking in childhood’s past – Reclaim the streets while you help save the planet one peddle at a time.
There’s a kick-off party today at 28th and J Streets in the Priority Parking Lot, 4PM, and you are invited.
The Midtown Bike Share will make it easier for both Midtown residents and visitors to get around, and is quite affordable and easy to use. It will also make Sacramento one of the few bike share programs on the West Coast. The pilot program will include two bike rental kiosks/vaults and 12 bikes, with kiosks located in the parking lots at 28th and J Streets and at 16th and I Streets. If the pilot program is a success – that’s where you and me come in -additional kiosk/vaults may be placed throughout Midtown and the Central City.
For more information about the Midtown Bike Share visit facebook.com/RideYourOwnWay or contact Heather Philpott: 916.442.1500, heather@mbasac.com. The Ride Your Own Way Midtown Bike Share program is brought to you by Midtown Business Association (MBA).
What’s a’Happenin’, Hotstuff?
Early Summer Fun
Sexy, saucy play ‘OR’ to debut and close out 6-year run at the Delta King Theatre – June 17 – July 17. In addition, the Pilothouse Restaurant will be offering a specially priced $29 three-course dinner for theatre patrons. 916-995-5464, http://www.capstage.org
From Farm to You~
Announcing New Farmers’ Markets Locations:
1)Beautiful east end State Capitol Park, 15th & L Streets, every Thursday, 10AM to 1:30PM
2)St. Rose of Lima Park, 7th & K Street, every Friday, 10AM to 1:30PM (street or mall parking, light rail)
http://www.ca-grown.com
Portuguese Partay~
Come One, Come All for a Parade, Mass, Auction, Eats, Live Music & Fresh Air! The Freeport/Clarksburg Portuguese Festa will be held Sunday, June 19th at 54113 S. River Rd. 916-373-9942
100 Years of Making a Difference~
Stop to once again celebrate your rights at the Sacramento History Museum with the unveiling of the ‘We Won the Vote’ exhibit on June 16th. 916-808-7059, http://www.historicoldsac.org
May Madness: So Much to See & Do in Sac & Beyond!
If April showers bring May flowers, then what do May flowers bring?
FUN, of course~
OUTDOOR CONCERTS
Announcing the kick-off the 20th season of Friday Night Concerts in the Park.
May 6th and every Friday night, 5-9PM, through August 12.
Cesar Chavez Park, Downtown
http://www.SacFridayConcerts.com
ART & WINE AFFAIR
20 area wineries, artists, vendors, live entertainment.
Saturday & Sunday, May 7 & 8, 11-4PM
El Dorado Hills
916-802-6924, http://www.eldoradohillsartaffaire.com
PIXAR COLLECTION
Disney Fine Art by Collectors Editions presents the Pixar Collection worldwide debut — One Day Only!
Sunday, May 15, 11AM to 4PM
California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento State Historic Park
916-445-6645, http://www.csrmf.org
NATURE TOURS
Delta Eco-Tours – Take a short or long nature and cultural history tour of California’s best and most breathtaking locations along the Sacramento Delta.
Saturday, May 21, 2-hour History & Riparian Cruise
Saturday, May 28, 4-1/2 hour Tule Wilderness Adventure
Delta Ecotours/Hartland Nursery
13737 Grand Island Road (P.O. Box 439), Walnut Grove, CA 95690
(916) 775-4545, http://www.DeltaEcoTours.com
HISTORY TOURS
Gold Rush Legacy Tours and Old Sacramento Architectural Tours begin in May and go all summer long.
Saturdays & Sundays at 11AM
916-808-7059, http://www.historicoldsac.org
And for more ongoing, engaging and special events check out http://www.Sacramento365.com!
Seeking Musically Inclined, Outdoorsy Types
Friday Night Concerts at Cesar Chavez Park
Sacramento’s Friday Night Concert series is free, sells food and beer, and serves up a nice amount of shade on those hot summer nights. It’s family-friendly, open to all ages, and hosts bands from a range of genres including rock, pop, punk, blues and folk.
Since there are only 2 shows left, all the more reason to partake in a free outdoor concert, complete with diverse people to people-watch, eclectic music as a backdrop or focal point, and special-after concert deals at nearby clubs and restaurants.
It’s a groovy urban experience with plenty of grass underfoot, blue sky above and chillax’n all around. I think they still offer $5 all-night parking at the 10th & I garage as well. And since Downtown Sac is so accessible, there aren’t a lot of legitimate excuses not to try one of the Friday Night Concerts on for size. But hurry! Or wait until next year…
August 6- The Golden Cadillacs, Light Rail, Johnny Guitar Knox & the Soothers
August 13- The Brodys, The Phantom Jets, This Luxury
Friday Nights, 5-9PM
Cesar Chavez Park, 10th & J streets
There is something special about Sacramento; the rich land upon which it was built, the rivers that flow through, the bounty around it and the people who make the Sacramento area their home.
Life is good in California’s Capital City for many reasons, including climate and geography, community and amenities, nature and wildlife, and so much more. It’s hard to imagine a warmer feeling than a sunshine-drenched morning here, an easier feeling than a refreshing post-rain spring day, or a more engaging experience than a night on the town with friends or family.
There’s truly something here for everyone and every mood, for Sacramento is a shifting entity itself, with four distinct but relatively mild seasons, diverse neighborhoods and people, a ripening food and restaurant scene, year-round events and outdoor fun, and daytime and night-time adventures. Its magic is a blend of history and tradition, vision and reinvention. And there’s so much pleasure to be had here – with family and friends, food and wine, adventures and experiences – that they’re likely to create the kind of fond memories that might seem so familiar… but aren’t quite like any other.
