Located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers, this city is the capital of California.Sacramento Valley was originally inhabited by the Nisenan and Plains Miwok Native Americans.In 1839 John Sutter arrived with a 50,000-acre land grant, built Fort Sutter and started herding cattle and planting orchards.Sutter’s colony gradually grew until gold was discovered in 1848 and then the race for gold began.During the Gold Rush Sacramento was a major distribution point, but the city of Sacramento did not truly begin to form until John Sutter Jr. laid out the first grid of streets and named the city after the river.
In 1849 a city charter was adopted and the city was officially incorporated in February 1850 making Sacramentothe oldest city in the state of California.The state legislature moved to Sacramento in 1854 making Sacramento the state capital.Though the city suffered some up and downs in the beginning with flooding and a few epidemics the city continued to steadily grow to eventually become what it is today.Sacramento is now the sixth largest city in California and the core economic and cultural center of the greater Sacramento area.
Activities in Sacramento
As is expected in a capital city there are no lack of activities to keep residents of every walk of life busy.To enjoy some of the history of Sacramento, residents and tourists alike can visit Old Sacramento with its cobbled streets and historic buildings.Here you can enjoy something to eat, shop in a fun variety of shops, stroll along the river, dine or stay on the Delta King riverboat, take a carriage ride or take a ride on a steam powered train.
Sacramento is home to several sports teams including the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. There are two professional minor league teams. The first minor league team is the Sacramento Rivercats baseball team who play at Raley Field. The second minor league team in Sacramento is the Sacramento Republic FC soccer team who plays at Hughes Stadium and opened 2013 with a sellout crowd.For those who enjoy the adrenaline of running Sacramento also hosts the California International Marathon which has a prize of $50,000.
To enjoy the outdoors Sacramento has over 5,000 acres of parkland and recreation centers. This includes the American River Parkway, which spans 23 miles along the American River and William Land Park which is home of the Sacramento Zoo.
There are many choices for the residents of Sacramento to enjoy the theater and arts. There is the Community Center Theatre, Memorial Auditorium, and the Wells Fargo Pavilion where you can enjoy the Sacramento Ballet, Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, Broadway Sacramento, along with a host of other performances.In 2014 a children’s theatre will be opening in the heart of downtown.Every summer Sacramento hosts a Shakespeare Festival.Other annual events in Sacramento include the Sammies (Sacramento Music Awards), Sacramento Jazz Jubilee every Memorial Day, the California State Fair in July, and the Sacramento French Film Festival in July.
There are many choices for residents of Sacramento when it comes to dining.In 2012 Sacramento began marketing itself as “America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital” due to the number of restaurants that source their food locally.For those thirsty residents, Sacramento also has several annual events to quench your thirst: the Grape and Gourmet, Sacramento Beer Week, and Sacramento Cocktail Week.
Working in Sacramento
Sacramento has a thriving economy.The top ten employers in Sacramento fall into three main categories: government, healthcare, and education.The State of California employees almost 70,000 people in Sacramento County and the County of Sacramento employees over 11,000 people.The major healthcare providers in the area employee almost 27,000 people total and the public school system employees another 15,000 people.Some of the major companies that are based in Sacramento include: Sutter Health, Blue Diamond Growers, Aerojet, Teichert, and The McClatchy Company.
Featured Communities
Natomas:
Located in the northwestern region of Sacramento, Natomas has been a popular area for residents who work in Sacramento because of its relative affordability and proximity to Sacramento.Natomas is home to the Sleep Train Arena and the Sacramento airport which is several miles away from the major residential areas of Natomas.
Antelope:
Located approximately 15 miles northeast of downtown Sacramento Antelope became a township in the late 1800’s but most of Antelope was not developed until the 1980’s and now has a population of over 40,000 residents.Antelope is mainly made up of single family dwellings and apartments.
Carmichael:
Carmichael is considered an affluent suburb of Sacramento with a population of over 60,000 residents.People living in Carmichael enjoy the local 38-acre park – Carmichael Park, Botanical Gardens, and a playhouse. Also, part of the American River parkway and bike trail run through town.
North Highlands:
North Highlands is a middle class residential area of over 40,000 residents.It has some commercial and industrial areas around the former McClellan Air Force Base which is now a civilian airport and business park now named McClellan Business Park.
