It may not have the flashy reputation of San Francisco or Los Angeles, but Sacramento embodies the very best of what makes California so unique. The city is well known for preserving its history, from early settlements like Sutter’s Fort to the gorgeous 19th century architecture of Old Sacramento to the artifacts in the Sacramento History Museum. Pop culture and the fine arts are well-represented, with local stages hosting symphony concerts and rock shows and galleries displaying works by the old masters as well as modern upstarts. The local restaurant scene is famous for its heavy emphasis on “farm to fork” principles, making it one of the best places to find fresh, locally sourced food.

Those living in Sacramento love to take advantage of the mild climate, whether that means biking the River Trail, taking the kids to Fairytale Town, or heading over to Sutter Health Park to catch a River Cats baseball game.