Downtown, Sacramento

Wedged in between Highway 16 and Highway 99, Downtown Sacramento is the beating heart of the city. It’s most notable for being California’s state capitol, an impressive feat for a less then stellar city. However, Downtown Sacramento has plenty to offer from its average-sized, mediocre reputation. It’s beautiful high-rise financial buildings, buzzing commercial real-estate and numerous dazzling restaurants and hotels make it a great place to live (near).

Currently, Downtown Sacramento is undergoing a major revitalization project with the addition of a new Sacramento Cit Hall and a facelift of K street’s commercial sector. Westfield Downtown Plaza is one of those K street commercial attractions. It acts as the city’s primary (outdoor) shopping mall, offering a host of large shops and department stores (i.e. Macy’s). K Street Mall functions as the city’s second shopping option, providing the usual chain restaurants/stores and smaller neighborhood boutiques. The district is also saturated with a handful of mid-rise hotels and mixed-use buildings with attached parking garages/back lots. Major hotels include the Hyatt Regency and the Sheraton Grand, which are both located near the State Capitol (in the heart of downtown).

Getting around is relatively easy. Main streets consist of wide, 3-lane drags organized in grid like formation. If you don’t have a car, don’t fret. Sacramento Regional Transit provides a light rail and bus service that seem to comb the main streets every 10-20 minutes. For longer travel, the historic Sacramento Valley Amtrak Station has been serving the city for decades and gives locals a reasonable option for out-of-town travel. And for tourists, ferries and small steam boats jaunt around the Sacramento River (which traverses the district’s western edge).

Downtown Sacramento offers a variety of activities and events. One of the most notable attractions is the Sacramento Convention Center Complex. The center hosts everything from music concerts, to cultural events to stand-up comedy. Close to the Convention Center is the Crest Theatre (10th and K Street) and an IMAX theater (13th and K Street). Downtown Sacramento also has an active nightlife. For the best location, head towards 15th Street and 12th Street. You can find a wide range of nightclubs and bars between these two mainstays.