Sacramento is known for the California gold rush, its Farm-to-Fork food culture, and its vibrant arts and history scene.
Sitting at the intersection of the Sacramento River and the American River, Sacramento is the capital of the state of California. This is one of the top 10 largest cities in California and holds the seat of the state’s government. It also carries the history of the California gold rush into the modern day, with the Old Sacramento neighborhood and awesome museums.
What Is Sacramento Known For?
There are so many facts about Sacramento to share, however looking at the city’s various nicknames can give you a good idea of what it is famous for. Sacramento is often referred to as the “Farm-to-Fork” capital, the “City of Trees,” and one of the hotspots of the California gold rush.
That said, Sacramento is known for its historic charm, great local and Californian food, and lush green spaces. However, there is so much more to explore!
You can appreciate the arts and history captured in local museums, go bar-hopping around downtown or check out Fairytale Town. No matter what you decide to do, Sacramento has a lot to offer, so you won’t be bored!
History, Culture, And Traditions
Farm-to-Fork Capital
Sacramento is known for being the “Farm-to-Fork Capital,” in honor of its excellent, locally sourced foods. It has held this title since 2012. With over 1.5 million acres of farmland surrounding the city and a year-round growing season, there is no shortage of locally-produced food to enjoy in Sacramento.
With these amazing resources around, Sacramento is full of chefs who create magic out of these unique ingredients. From notable restaurants like Bacon & Butter to dinner tables around the city, the quality of ingredients in Sacramento is hard to beat. It certainly deserves its title!
City Of Trees
Sacramento has carried the name of the “City of Trees” since 1855. As Sacramento filled up with settlers, they had a hard time coping with the heat, so they planted trees. Little did they know these trees would grow to be part of what Sacramento is known for.
The meeting of the Sacramento River and American River provides excellent soil to support the growth of these trees, which visitors can still appreciate today. If you want to take in a real view of the City of Trees, make your way to Land Park, which is absolutely littered with greenery!
Gold Rush History
If you ask a history buff, “what is Sacramento famous for?” they’ll probably tell you about the California Gold Rush! The California Gold Rush actually kicked off in Sacramento in 1848, when gold nuggets were found in the Sacramento Valley. This sparked an enormous movement of people out to California to try to make their fortune.
Many of these settlers landed in Sacramento, causing it to fill up with the incoming population. The convenience of the Sacramento River for transporting people and goods made Sacramento a great place to settle down. This history helped to build Sacramento and continues to be part of what California is known for.
Eppie’s Great Race
Eppie’s Great Race comes under many different names, including “the Great Race,” “the No-Swim Triathlon,” and “The World’s Oldest Triathlon.”
Eppie Johnson founded the race in 1974, combining a 5.82 mile run, 12.5 mile bike ride, and 6.35 mile paddle into a unique race. The race enjoyed great popularity during its time, with nearly 2000 people coming to participate every year.
With a little planning and training, Eppie’s Great Race could be a fun way to get to know the city of Sacramento.
The Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are Sacramento’s professional basketball team, which competes in the Western Conference Pacific Division. The team was founded in 1923, making them the oldest team in the NBA.
Although the team has played under different names in different cities in the past, they returned to their original base and are proudly part of what Sacramento is known for.
If you’re interested in seeing the Kings play, make your way to Golden 1 Center. This is widely reported to be the most technologically forward arena in the NBA. A must-see stop for any sports fan passing through Sacramento.
Sacramento River
Sacramento shares its name with one of the most famous rivers in California, the Sacramento River. It is the main river of Northern California and the biggest river in the state, reaching from the Klamath Mountains all the way to San Francisco Bay.
Visitors can get an up-close view of this natural wonder Sacramento is known for by taking a river cruise! These tours often roll by Sacramento’s most famous views, all while your captain goes over interesting facts about California.
Districts And Areas
Old Sacramento
What is Sacramento known for if not Old Sacramento? This neighborhood captures the historic character of Sacramento during the Gold Rush times. While this part of the city came about in the mid-1800s, it was refurbished about 100 years later, and it is now a top tourist attraction in Sacramento.
Make sure you take the time to wander down the streets, taking in the historical stylings of the storefront and saloon. You can also do some shopping and try some traditional salt-water taffy. If you’re lucky, you can also catch a festival or special event, such as the Gold Rush Days!
Midtown
If you’re looking for a neighborhood that encapsulates the forward-looking, trendy culture Sacramento is known for, make a visit to Midtown! This vibrant neighborhood is home to a variety of wonderful restaurants and activities. Some local favorites include Paragary’s, Historic Star Lounge, and Beast + Bounty.
Midtown is also home to Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park and lovely outdoor spaces, such as Albert Winn Park. Located right near the California State Capitol, it should be easy to make time to check out this neighborhood and grab a bite to eat.
>Check Midtown Arts & Food Tour
American River Bike Trail
If you’re looking for a way to get active in Sacramento, look no further than the American River Bike Trail, also known as the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail. This trail runs between the meeting of Sacramento’s famous rivers, the Sacramento River and the American River. It is 32 miles long and is a favorite for local cyclists.
You can bring your own bike or rent a bike in the city to check it out. If you’re not much of a cyclist, don’t worry. It is a multi-use trail, so you can take in the same idyllic views with a nice walk if you prefer.
Midtown Farmers Market
If you visit Midtown on a Saturday, you’re likely to run into the bustling Midtown Farmers Market, that Sacramento is known for. This farmer’s market hosts over 200 vendors, offering foods, produce, baked goods, and local crafts.
It is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, so don’t miss it if you’re in town over the weekend! The farmers market is always a good place to soak in the local vibes and see what seasonal goods are on sale.
Sacramento Zoo
If you feel like visiting the Sacramento Zoo, head south of downtown to Land Park. The Sacramento Zoo originally opened in 1927, with 40 animals on just over 4 acres of land. Now, the zoo has grown over 10 acres and houses many more animals.
Sacramento is known for its long-standing zoo because it offers educational programming throughout the year as well as special festivals. It partners with the Sacramento Zoological Society on projects to ensure top-of-the-line exhibits. It offers a great activity for any family in Sacramento.
Landmarks And Architecture
Capitol Park
Capitol Park is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful state capitol grounds in the entire country.
There are plenty of memorials, tucked into the lush green spaces of Capitol Park, including the Civil War Memorial Grove, the Firefighters Memorial, and the Mexican-American War Memorial. You can also visit the California State Capitol Museum on the grounds to appreciate the fine architecture.
Whether you want to wander the gardens and enjoy the natural beauty or take in the inspiring architecture and history, make sure you check out Capitol Park. It’s a big and important part of what Sacramento is known for.
Crocker Art Museum
Established in 1885, the Crocker Art Museum is the oldest art museum in the western part of the country. True to Sacramento’s history, the museum holds art dating back to the Gold Rush period to modern times. It holds a wondrous collection of Asiana, African, and Oceanic art that shouldn’t be missed.
Art lovers should be sure to check out the Crocker Art Museum! While its permanent collections are impressive, the museum also hosts rotating exhibitions so there is always something new to see at this museum.
California Railroad Museum
Located in Old Sacramento State Historic Park, the California State Railroad Museum is part of what Sacramento is known for since the old days.
This museum houses over 20 restored trains and train cars that date all the way back to the mid-1800s. The exhibitions give a great overview of how California contributed to the railroads that criss-cross around the country.
If you go during the right times of the year, you may even be able to catch one of the museum’s excursion trains. These trains generally function between April and September, taking guests on train rides along the Sacramento River. These rides are definitely worth it, running just under an hour with tranquil views.
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
What is Sacramento known for other than one of its most popular historic sites, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park? Sutter’s Fort was a trade hub and agricultural colony in the Mexican Alta California province. It was originally established in 1839, but the fort didn’t begin construction until 1841.
The inhabitants abandoned the fort in 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill, which belonged to the same owner.
Today, the site is open for self-guided tours. These tours really allow you to take in the historic charm of the area and appreciate the adobe architecture. It is no surprise that this is one of the famous landmarks in California.
Fairytale Town
If you have little ones in tow, make sure you protect some time to visit Fairytale Town. Kids and adults alike will believe they’ve fallen into a fairytale come alive, with imaginative play sets and decorations based on classic nursery rhymes.
Fairytale Town has a focus on education, so you can rest assured an outing here will be both imaginative and educational. There is plenty to do and see, so you can visit multiple times without getting bored.
There are over 25 playsets, two performance stages with rotating shows, friendly farm animals to visit with, and gardens to explore. The playful spirit in Fairytale Town is definitely a part and reflection of what Sacramento is known for.
Famous Food In Sacramento
Bacon & Butter (FTT)
This Sacramento favorite combines its classic farm-to-fork philosophy with a classic, American breakfast. Bacon & Butter is an extremely popular spot for breakfast and brunch in Sacramento, though it also offers classic lunch foods.
Famously, there isn’t a bad choice on the menu, so feel free to explore whatever your taste favors at this famous Sacramento restaurant.
Frank Fat’s
Eating at Frank Fat’s is like stepping back in time. This elegant 1939 restaurant serves delicious Chinese food, with the feeling of a speakeasy. The restaurant was founded by the self-named Frank Fat, a Chinese immigrant in Sacramento.
It is the oldest restaurant that is still serving in Sacramento. Historically, Frank Fat’s was a hub for famous Sacramento people, such as politicians and lobbyists. With its Chinese fare, the banana cream pie is also known as a crowd-pleaser.
>Check Downtown Historical Food Tour
Famous People From Sacramento
Brie Larson
From Captain Marvel to Room, Brie Larson is an established American actress whom Sacramento is known for. Her career began young, when she was eight years old, doing supporting roles in various films. After a breakthrough performance in Short Term 12, she grew to greater prominence.
Her most critically-renowned work is the 2016 movie, Room, based on Emma Donoghue’s novel by the same title. Brie Larson has won several awards for her work, among them an Academy Award (2016) for Best Actress in Room and a Golden Globe for the same performance.
Greta Gerwig
While there are plenty of Sacramento famous people, few are as notable or loved in Sacramento as Greta Gerwig. This is because Greta Gerwig wrote and directed the Oscar-nominated film, Lady Bird, which is filmed in Sacramento. It is a coming-of-age drama, which pulls many themes from Gerwig’s own experiences growing up in the area.
If you’re a fan of Greta Gerwig or Lady Bird, there are plenty of places to pay homage in Sacramento. There are many tours based on the movie, which take visitors to key filming locations from the movie. Check it out if you’re interested!
Discovering More Things Sacramento Is Known For
If you wonder, “what is Sacramento known for?” many things could come to mind. For most people, Old Sacramento and the California Gold Rush will take the primary spot. However, there is so much more you can get to know in Sacramento.
Sacramento is a city full of history, culture, and interesting people. From farm-to-fork restaurants and natural beauty combined with the fine architecture you’ll find in Capitol Park, you won’t be bored.
Whether it’s exploring historic sites or enjoying delicious food offerings from local restaurants, there are lots of activities to keep you busy in the City of Trees. Make sure you plan plenty of time in this amazing place to experience everything Sacramento is famous for.
