1. New York’s “Melting Pot” Ain’t Got Nothing On Sacramento’s
In fact, Sacramento was named by “Time” as America’s most diverse city. While other cities like New York City or Los Angeles are diverse as well, the different cultures in Sacramento blend more smoothly together meaning that it’s also one of the most integrated countries in the nation as well.
2. The Cheeseburgers Here Point And Laugh At All Other Cheeseburgers
A trip to Squeeze Inn burger joint redefines the American classic, the cheeseburger. Famous for their huge portions of cheese, they make the dairy a centerpiece of the dish, not just a condiment. First timers are often surprised when they walk through the front door, realizing that the crispy layer of cheese on top of the meat patty is roughly the size of their head. Yum.
3. In The Sacramento “Ice Cream War” Everyone Is A Winner
Continuing with the theme of dairy, Sacramento is very serious about their ice cream as well. Everyone has their favorite shop and friendships can be gained or lost depending on where two people stand. Burr’s, Vic’s, and Gunther’s seem to be the front runners on most days.
4. The City Is Home To Basketball Royalty
Travelling from New York to Cincinnati to Kansas City before settling down in the golden state, the professional basketball team, the Kings, are the hometown favorites. Once referred to as the “greatest show on court” with players like Jason Williams, Vlade Divac, and Chris Webber in the late 1990s, the team is currently in a sort of rebuilding phase. As many locals will tell you, being a Kings fan can sometimes be a very painful thing. At least they’ve got Slamson the Lion to boost their moods during a bad game.
5. Chando’s Tacos Will Ruin All Other Tacos For You
For less than $2 each, Chando’s will give you tacos that will blow your mind. The menu is short but it’s sweet with fresh ingredients that will leave you wanting more.
6. The Town Can’t Choose Just One Nickname—And Why Should They Have To?
Sacramento has several nicknames. Some of these nicknames include the “City of Trees,” “The Big Tomato, and “The Camella Capital of the World,” but to locals it’s usually just “Sac” or “Sactown.”
7. Sacramento Is The Eco-City Of The Future
Sacramento is known for being an environmentally friendly city. Thanks to their energy distribution system, SMUD, the city has become a leader in use and the development of clean fuel sources. Last year, the city launched a $100-million dollar energy retrofit fund and plans to raise investment in green projects to $1 billion by the end of the decade.
8. To Festival, Or Not To Festival?
The Summer Shakespeare Festival is one of this city’s most popular events. Starting in 1986, the festival takes place in William Land Park and runs two shows throughout the summer months. The 2014 season brings “Much Ado About Nothing” and “The Three Musketeers” to residents of Sactown.
9. Sacramento Is Great At Fixing Humans
Sacramento is home to UC Davis Medical Center which ranks in the top 50 hospitals in America according to a survey by “News & World Report.” Up against over 5,000 hospitals nationwide, it has ranked 39th for cancer care and in the top 50 for orthopedics.
10. Sacramento Is Totally Nuts For Almonds
And they should be, after all Blue Diamond headquarters call “the Big Tomato” their home. On a busy day, millions of pounds of almonds can arrive at their factory for processing before being sent out for the rest of the world to enjoy.
11. Sacramento Is Smarty Pants Central
While calling Sacramento a college town would be stretching it, there are several campuses sprinkled throughout the entire city. Not only does this result in Sacramento ranking high in average intelligence, these colleges also provide stable employment opportunities for Sacramento’s residents. The largest is California State University, Sacramento, one of 23 in the California State University system.
12. Win “Oar” Lose, Completing Sacramento’s Triathlon Is Something To Be Proud Of
Sacramento is home to the world’s oldest triathlon. However, unlike most triathlons that feature running, biking, and swimming, “The Great Race” consists of running, biking, and kayaking simply because the creator, Eppie Johnson, loved the sport. It has grown to be the largest single-day kayaking event in the United States.
13. A River Runs Through It (Well, Two Rivers Technically)
Sacramento is home to two great waterways, the American River and the Sacramento River. The American River is famous for being an international tourist attraction for adventurous folks, perfect for rafting and kayakers. The Sacramento River is frequented by boaters as well, often those either seeking to make a quick day trip to nearby swampland or to continue until they hit San Francisco.
14. It’s A Great Place To Brush Up On Your Ghost Hunting Skills
With several different locations around the city that have a spooky past, tourists travel great distances in search of the supernatural. Two of the most well-known haunted attractions include the Governor’s Mansion and the California State Library. For a lighter twist on the scarier side of the city, check out the Hysterical Walk of the Dead Ghost Tour. It takes place on the historic streets of Old Sac.
15. Forest Gump Went To Sac State
Well, at least the actor that portrayed him did. While it is common belief that Tom Hanks graduated from Sac State, this is not true. Hanks did take acting classes at the university, but he never completed his degree. He’s actually their most famous drop out.
16. Snow? What’s That?
Even though the temperature can dip, significant snowfall is very rare. Most of it simply melts away on contact. There have actually only been three recorded times in which a noteworthy amount of snow has accumulated in Sacramento since 1900. Fortunately, for those that might need their snow fix, Lake Tahoe skiing resort is a short two hour drive away.
17. This City Has A Wild Side, Too
Open since 1927, the Sacramento Zoo now holds over 140 different species. Relatively new to the zoo family is male giraffe, “Chifu,” who became part of the “Tall Wonders” exhibit in 2011. But best of all in the summer the Sacramento Zoo hosts Twilight Thursdays, which are family friendly events with live local bands, food and drinks.
18. Sacramento Loves Music, And All That Jazz
The Sacramento Jazz Festival takes place every Memorial Day weekend and has been going on for over 40 years. The festival happens in Old Sacramento and while it’s called a jazz festival, music from many genres representative of the city’s diverse makeup are featured.
19. Sacramento Isn’t Afraid To Get a Little Hoity Toity
The city is known for their performing arts. Aside from hosting an entire range of travelling acts, there are also regular performances put on by the Sacramento Ballet, the Sacramento Opera, the Sacramento Theatre Company, and the California Musical Theater.
20. Everyone Has To Visit Sutter’s Fort At Least Once
While most locals have probably taken a field trip there in elementary school, someone new to the area might appreciate seeing this piece of history. The fort was constructed in 1839 as the first non-Native American community in the central area of California. It paved the way for the development of the Sacramento Valley. Trips to the site give visitors a look into what life was like in Sacramento during that era.
21. This City Was Built On Gold
Sacramento built itself during the Gold Rush. Without the gold rush, it is far less likely that Sacramento would be the capital of California and the sixth biggest city in the state. The city was a very important distribution hub, allowing Sacramento to grow commercially very quickly. It also acted as a terminus for westbound travelers coming by stagecoaches, riverboats, and even the pony express.
22. Sacramento Is One Of A Kind, And The People Love It Here
It’s hard to find a resident that doesn’t like Sacramento. With the huge range of activities and the huge variety of culture, interesting new experiences lie around every corner. The people of Sacramento know this and they take pride in that fact. While they might not agree on where the best ice cream is in town or what burger joint reigns superior, they’ve come to understand how the diversity of Sacramento is the glue that holds their community together, making it worth a visit, no matter how short or long it may be. 
