Profiles
Where She Was From
Sacramento native Joan Didion, who was one of America’s greatest writers, passed away on Dec. 23, 2021, at the age of 87. We spoke with the literary giant 10 years earlier, as she reflected on the deaths of her husband and only child, and her memories of growing up in River City.
Get a Room!
Call it a room boom. Over the past year, three new marquee hotels have flung open their doors in Sacramento, each mixing historic charm with modern flavor. Look for local art, high design and restaurants with noteworthy culinary pedigrees. And more are on the way. So pack a bag, book a show, and turn a date night into a date weekend. Why should we let the tourists have all the fun?
Double Vision
Following their Sacramento-centric HGTV home design series, Mash-Up Your Home, Colossus Mfg is also rebranding Broadway’s Tower District.
A Star Is Born
Nearly 15 years in the making, the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity is ready to open a portal to both the past and the future on the banks of the Sacramento River, pairing a historic 1912 power station with Northern California’s most advanced planetarium.
The New Golden Age
On weekends, they abandon their respective vocations and venture far up into the storied Sierra foothills and far back in time—circa 1849—dodging rattlesnakes, poison oak and the stink-eyed gazes of seasoned treasure hunters as they transform into passionate modern-day prospectors.
Must-Eat Summer Treats
The heat is on, Sacramento. For those of you looking for some cool comfort during these dog days, we’ve got 10 delicious ways—from delicate macaron ice cream sandwiches to decadent pie milkshakes—to help you chill out this summer.
Getting Back on Track
Five years ago, Sacramento Regional Transit was on the verge of derailing. Riders felt unsafe, staff morale was low, and the agency was flat broke. Then Henry Li stepped in. He cut costs, launched innovative programs targeting climate change, equity and customer service, and built a $30 million reserve—leading him to be named, effectively, America’s public transit CEO of the year in 2019. But when Covid hit, ridership plunged, a key funding mechanism was pulled from the ballot, and now the future of commuting is a looming question mark. Whether you ride public transit or not, his decisions will affect your commute, the air you breathe and, in many ways big and small, the future of Sacramento. Henry Li is now arriving.
Perfect Picnics
We’ve filled our wicker baskets with the best takeout en route to eight sonnet-worthy spots across the region for your alfresco dining pleasure. Whether you’re unpacking a gourmet BLT on toasted artisan bread while gazing upon a sweeping view in Gold Country or digging into a bucket of crispy fried chicken while smelling the roses at McKinley Park, we prove that life in the wake of a pandemic can be a picnic after all. (Just don’t forget the sunscreen.)
Nut Tree Forever
If you lived in Northern California any time from the '50s to the '90s, your memories likely contain vivid flickers of Vacaville's Nut Tree—the roadside oasis that lured generations of kids and adults alike. And now, in 2021, it's turning 100. Let's all jump on that miniature train and take a ride back in time for a Kodachrome encounter.
Field of Dreams
On the first day of spring, Ruhstaller Farm—our region’s only brewery designed in the spiritual mold of a soil-to-sip winery—officially opened. With its mission to produce beer defined by the Sacramento Valley’s rich agricultural heritage, the Farm is the fruition of a decade-long vision for proprietor J-E Paino, a tenacious optimist who runs decidedly against the grain.
The Heart of a Giant
When it comes to baseball, Dusty Baker plays to win. He's also living proof that the most important stats aren't measured in hits and runs, but in heart and soul.
10 Cool Winter Hikes
Most of us think of hiking as a fair-weather endeavor, but this winter, the best—and safest—cure for your pandemic-induced cabin fever might just be an unseasonable expedition into the great outdoors. Luckily, our region’s topographical riches and relatively temperate temperatures (even in the dead of January) mean there’s something for every kind of cold-season walker, whether you’re an indoorsy urbanite jonesing for a riverside stroll, a history buff in search of a summit view, or an adventurous ambler looking for a snow day. To help us answer the call of the wild, Sactown’s resident hiking expert has rounded up a dectet of soul-warming treks around town. Now’s the perfect time to walk a mile (or 2 or 10) in her shoes.
On Sale Now!
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