July/August 2007
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48 Hours: Sacramento
By Mary Beth LaRue and Emily Haile Photo by Catherine Karnow
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The Sugar Shack in Sacramento's trendy Midtown district caters to the stylish. |
This former gold rush town is once again attracting attention, with renovated neighborhoods and a new urban feeling.
 ailed as one of the "most livable" regions in America, the capital city of California is steeped in gold rush history. Old Sacramento is a 28-acre (11-hectare) historic park with more than 50 buildings marking its past as a hub for the Pony Express and the transcontinental railroad. Visitors can relive the Western glory, with horse-drawn carriage rides, pioneer exhibits, and riverboat cruises. Those bent on more modern entertainment can attend the world's largest Dixieland jazz festival, bike the American River Parkway, or tour local wineries. Check out Traveler's picks of the "Camellia Capital's" best resources—blogs, podcasts, magazines, and more.
Blogs
Podcasts
Newspapers
Magazines
Maps
Books
Movies
Blogs
Sacatomato
After hunting for a good local food blog and coming up empty handed, locals Jennifer Cliff and Ann Martin Rolke decided to start their own, launching Sacatomato during the summer of 2006. These culinary consultants keep you up to date on where to find the area's best foodie festivals, ingredients, and "pie crust that leaves you breathless." Check out the "Have you tried" section for bite-sized tidbits about everything local—from hostess gifts to handmade tortillas.
Metroblogging Sacramento
Metroblogging Sacramento is a good mix of local news and culture with a pretty hefty event listing. Check out the Flickr group for an eyeful of the city's restaurants and events.
The Sac Rag
Voted one of the best local blogs last year by the News and Review, this hip site has been delivering "news, gossip and snark" since 2005 and is searchable by a wide range of categories including burgers, cocktails, and even local idiots.
Podcasts
Getting to Know Sacramento
This Tourcaster podcast will provide you with the basics before you go—a brief history and information on the city's culture, sports, dining, and nightlife scenes.
Podcast Central
Download interviews and show segments from the Sacramento Bee's music critic Chris Macias. Celebrities like Joan Jett, Will Smith, and Carlos Santana are featured on past podcasts.
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Newspapers
The Sacramento Bee
This local paper was recognized for its feature photography with a Pulitzer Prize. They're also known for stellar reporting and the Bee's sleek web design makes it easy to navigate through local news, events, and video. Planning on doing some shopping? Check out the newspaper's thorough listings.
Sacramento News and Review
The News and Review is a gold mine of art and culture listings. Browse through theater, book, music, and art reviews; check out the events calendar (free concerts!); or read some of the hundreds of dining reviews.
The Los Angeles Times
As one of the country's best-known newspapers, the Los Angeles Times delivers front-line investigative reporting for the California region, but is also packed with lifestyle and culture info. Check out their photo archives for a peek at life in L.A. It's not all US Weekly.
Magazines
Sacramento Magazine
Find out who's who in gold country with this glossy monthly that focuses on the hottest trends in business, entertainment, and food that the city has to offer. The magazine has a substantial eat-and-drink section, an annual Best of Sacramento issue, and a comprehensive directory of local services from pedicures to palm readers.
Edible Sacramento
This quarterly newsletter directs readers to Sac's best fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables and offers seasonal recipes, restaurant and chef profiles, and tips on how to create a more sustainable environment while eating well.
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Maps
MapQuest Sacramento
Search by driving directions, maps, or yellow pages to find your destination. Print out the directions and bring them along on your road trip or walking tour.
Go California
Check out About.Com's index to Sacramento map resources, like a Cal State Sacramento map and a map of Sac's airport.
Books
Run River, by Joan Didion (1963)
Didion wrote her first novel right out of college when she was working at Vogue. This gripping story of marriage, adultery, and murder among the great grandchildren of Western pioneers is set along the banks of her native Sacramento.
The Swan: Tales of the Sacramento Valley, by Andrew F. O'Hara (2004)
Written by a retired California Highway Patrolman, these short stories revolve around everyday people, with the Sacramento Valley as the connecting thread between them.
Sacramento: Indomitable City (Making of America Series), by Steven M. Avella (2003)
Historian Avella traces Sac's roots, from its native tribes, to becoming a Western outpost, to its present status as the capital of a state boasting the eighth largest economy in the world.
Historic Photos of Sacramento, by James Scott and Tom Tolley (2007)
This coffee-table volume features black-and-white archival photos that capture the events and flavor of the city's transformation from the late 19th century through World War II hardships and its ascent to a historical and political hub of the Golden State.
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Movies
In Old Sacramento (1946)
"Wild" Bill Elliot stars as a gambler with a gunslinging alter ego, "Spanish Jack," in this black and white romp through the Old West. His unlikely romance with a saloon singer (Constance Moore) convinces him to give up his robbing ways, but not before one last, ill-conceived heist.
American Beauty (1999)
This suburban satire swept the Oscars in 1999, and is set around Chicago. But locals know its establishing shots are aerial views of a Sacramento neighborhood. The film stars Hollywood heavyweights Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, and Mena Suvari.
Her Minor Thing (2005)
Locally funded and shot, this romantic comedy kicks off as a television reporter (Christian Kane) publicly announces that his girlfriend (Estella Warren) is still a virgin, turning her life upside down. "Sacramento isn't just the backdrop for Her Minor Thing, it's practically another character," hometown writer Jim Meyers told the Bee.
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