27 Things People From Sacramento Have To Explain To Out-Of-Towners

1. Choosing The Best Ice Cream Shop Is A Battle For The Ages

Whether it’s Gunther’s Ice Cream, Vic’s Ice Cream, or Leatherby’s Family Creamery, Sactowners are fiercely loyal to their favorite summertime treat hot-spot.

2. But Never, Ever Count Out Froyo

But ice cream doesn’t have a monopoly on the sweet treats in Sacramento because locals love their frozen yogurt. Even the dogs get their licks in at Yogurtagogo.

3. Sactowners Will Take That With Bacon, Please

Sactowners love bacon so much they made a festival for it. Bacon Fest is a weeklong celebration of all things greasy, crunchy, and porky.

4. Sactowners Won’t Be Offended If You Call Them River Rats

When you think of California, you probably picture ocean beaches, but Sacramento sits at the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers. That means Sactowners spend a lot of time boating, kayaking, or just sitting on the bank and relaxing.

5. People Only Go To Old Sac When They’re Entertaining Guests

Yes, it might be named one of the most popular attractions in Sacramento, but let’s face it: no one goes there unless they’re parents are in town from another state.

6. If You’re A Loyal Sactowner, You Despise The Lakers

If you have nice things to say about Kobe Bryant or the Lakers, you should probably get out now.

7. Because In Sac, The Kings Rule All

Ask anyone: The Sacramento Kings are finally back in the city where they belong. And of course, they are treated like royalty by all loyal fans.

8. The Holy Bowl Is Always As Epic As It Sounds

You better care about high school football in Sacramento—at least once a year the whole place picks a side in the Holy Bowl and all hell breaks loose.

9. Everyone Bundles Up When The Weather Dips Below 60

Come on, this is California, not Alaska. Locals don’t hide out when the weather gets cold, they just grab their hats and scarves.

10. Something Isn’t Just Good, It’s Hella Good

Boston has “wicked” but Sacramento has its own favorite adverb: Hella.

11. Nobody Calls It The “City Of Trees” Or “The Big Tomato”

While the rest of the country may have officially dubbed Sacramento the “City of Trees” or “The Big Tomato,” you won’t hear locals calling it anything other than “Sactown” or just “Sac.”

12. Sacramento Is Full Of People Who See Art Everywhere

There’s a vibrant artistic community in Sacramento and that ranges from artists who showcase in galleries down to artists who showcase on the sidewalks with that favorite childhood toy: sidewalk chalk.

13. New England Has Nothing On This Amazing Foliage

When you think of stunning autumn foliage, your mind probably whips to Vermont or New Hampshire, but Sactowners would love for you to visit so they can prove you wrong.

14. Sactown Locals Proudly Go Green… For Beer

It’s no secret that Sacramento is an environmentally friendly city, but these locals will take that notion even further than most, with totally green “bars” on wheels.

15. When Sactowners Say Tree-Huggers, They Mean It Literally

You already know Sacramento loves going green, but this kind of tree hugging is literal. Every Sactowner has climbed the 50-foot hugging tree on T Street, even after it lost its iconic arm.

16. The Dragon House Isn’t Something From “Game Of Thrones”

It might sound like a fantasy, but the dragon house is a very real, very eccentric house in Sacramento. It is a private residence though, so maybe don’t take 1,000 pictures.

17. They’re Way Better At Triathalons Than You Are

No matter what the rest of the universe says, Sacramento is home to the World’s Oldest Triathalon, it’s just that their triathalons aren’t exactly the same as everyone else’s. Instead of swimming, they kayak.

18. They Like Their Cheeseburgers With Extra, Extra Cheese

When they say extra cheese, Sactowners mean it. The Squeeze Inn is famous for making the “cheese skirt” the star of their burgers.

19. Coffee Comes In A Cup With A Black Lid And A White Sleeve. Period.

Forget Starbucks, Sactowners worship at the altar of Temple coffee every morning.

20. Convenience Store Sushi Ain’t Gonna Cut It

Well how could you once you see the true art (and true delicious art) that’s made at Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar? Everyone has their favorite roll, but loads ride or die for the Japanese Mafia.

21. No One Calls It The Sleep Train Arena

The country may call it Sleep Train Arena now, but all loyal Sacramento locals will stand by its name as the ARCO Arena in honor of all their memories there.

22. Three Sisters And Chando Make The Best Mexican Food You’ve Ever Had

The Three Sisters, aka Tres Hermanos Northern Mexican food restaurant, is rivaled in Sacramento hearts only by a food truck called Chando’s Tacos that is just flat-out mouthwatering.

23. Everyone Went to Sutter’s Fort For A School Field Trip

Chances are if you grew up in Sacramento you visited Sutter’s Fort with your class at least once. But the question is, can you still remember how to churn your own butter?

24. Those Tower Bridge Shirts Will Make You Look Like A Total Tourist

The Tower Bridge is iconic to Sacramento, but wearing a shirt emblazoned with the bridge is a surefire way to stick out like a sore thumb.

25. Safetyville Is A Real Place

If you grew up in Sacramento you probably learned all your fire and street safety lessons at Safetyville, an actual child-sized city.

26. If You Want A Goodnight Kiss, Take Your Date To Sacramento 6

These days it’s nearly impossible to find a West Coast drive-in movie theater, which is what makes the Sacramento 6 such a perfect date night spot if you want to go a little retro romantic.

27. The California State Fair Is Actually Pretty Awesome

Though some Sactowners will argue that since it left the city, the County Fair is really where it’s at. What do you have to explain to out-of-towners about Sacramento? Tell us in the comments below! 0