Don’t underestimate Sacramento. There’s more to this inland California city than the state capitol, and more possibilities than mere politics. Sacramento has a rich, fascinating history – and much of it is free for the appreciation.
Here, from the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, are some suggestions:
- See one of the West Coast’s finest aggregations of Victorian houses. You’ll find them nestled along tree-lined streets about town, particularly Seventh to 16th Streets. If you have time to see but one or two, be sure to go to the Heliborn home at 740 O Street or the Stanford home at 800 North Street W.A. These are classics.
- Explore Old Sacramento, the 28-acre State Historic Park arrayed downtown along the Sacramento River. The area is an entertainment and dining Mecca.
- Lean about all things almond at the Blue Diamond Growers Visitor Center. Bet you didn’t know that 99 percent of the almonds sold in this country come from the nearby Central Valley of California, aided and abetted by a bunch of bees. Open the tour with a 20-minute video, then head for the Nut & Gift shop. Staff will let you sample the fare – from plain to Wasabi & Soy Sauce.
- Take a stroll through Historic Chinatown-Sacramento Yeefow. Back during the Gold Rush this area was alive with Chinese immigrants looking to find their fortune. Now, it’s populated by people out to preserve Chinese culture and values.
- Eagle Theater is a gem, a reconstruction of California’s first public theater that first opened its doors in 1849. The structure is open for tours in conjunction with Old Sacramento Underground Tour Program.
If you’re looking to fly to Sacramento nonstop from the East Coast know that JetBlue offers flights from New York Kennedy and United from Washington Dulles.
(Image: Franco Folini)
