Sacto

The Crest Theater on K Street.
see all photos »

"I'll tell you what Sac is known for: It's a barbecue city, a porch city. It's hot here. We cook outdoors. We kick it on the porch. That's Sacto." These are the words of "Big Chuck" Gladwyn, singer of punk band the Whiskey Rebels, who I interviewed once upon a time (not long ago) when I lived in Sacramento and wrote for the weekly paper there. Now that I live in San Francisco, I'm officially a visitor when I head back to the Valley, as I did last month to visit my brother.

Chuck's summation of Sacramento hints at the feel of the place: sleepy Victorian houses downtown with sprawling porches, tree-lined streets, summer heat, the smell of barbeque. Sacramento has a laid-back atmosphere unlike California's other destinations like SF, LA, and San Diego, and is a smaller city, but still has plenty of variety, an increasing amount of art galleries and nightlife spots, and a stunning array of places to eat. With huge immigrant populations, Sacramento offers ethnic cuisine that is to die for.

It's a barbecue city, a porch city. It's hot here. We cook outdoors. We kick it on the porch. That's Sacto.

The American River
see all photos »

On this trip I stopped by what, in my opinion, is one of the best places to get Mexican food anywhere: Vallejo's Restaurant. Vallejo's is a Sacramento institution, and there are three different locations all in downtown, all near the capitol and state buildings. My favorite is found on 4th and S Streets. Football-sized burritos are always a winner, but this time I ordered a quesadilla with carnitas.

The following day my girlfriend and I met our friends for a stroll in Midtown to the Tower Cafe on 16th and Broadway, a local landmark where a giant theatre marquee rises up into the blue sky. Next to the theatre, which shows a great selection of independent and foreign films, we went to the Tower Cafe and got an outdoor seat shrouded from the sun with ferns. I ordered beer and fish n' chips.

The trainyards at dusk
see all photos »

After that it was time to head back to the fog. But if I were looking for something to do, I'd pick up a copy of the Sacramento News & Review (weekly I used to write for) and check out the events calendar in the back. Venues like the Crest Theater on K Street, the Fools Foundation, The Blue Lamp, Marilyns, the Old Ironsides, and others have a steady stream of rock, blues, and country bands playing. Sacramento's "Lavender Triangle" on K Street south of 19th is popular for its gay bars and clubs. And the Press Club, Old Ironsides, and others have frequent indie dance and 80's nights.

Old Sac is worth checking out despite its reputation as a tourist trap... but the coolest spots on the river require their own introduction (and blog entry).