The stunning home of the Sacramento Kings does double duty as a music and performance venue. Unveiled in 2016, the architecturally striking, LEED-certified basketball arena shifted downtown’s cultural hub west of the Capitol with over 40 home games, touring acts (such as Kanye and Lady Gaga), and an eatery- and shop-filled plaza (in true Sac fashion, the arena’s food program sources 90 percent of ingredients from a 150-mile radius). Even without tickets, you should check out the public art dotting the plaza including Jeff Koon’s flashy “Coloring Book #4,” ten giant dart sculptures from Gale Hart, and a lush soundscape from Bill Fontana.
After nearly two centuries of hustle and bustle, the sheer amount of things to do, see, and eat in downtown Sacramento isn’t much of a surprise: this place has always meant business. Sitting at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers, Sacramento was a commercial hub during the Gold Rush, and became the Golden State’s capital in 1854. Today, the Downtown Sacramento neighborhood is a delightfully walkable, cultural center filled with a lush tree canopy—Sacramento has more trees per capita than any city in the U.S.—scores of museums, and some of the city’s most notable restaurants.
Sacramento earned the title of America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital, and you’ll discover why at hotspots such as Ella and Mulvaney’s. Plus, the arrival of the Golden 1 Center infused the area with a thriving nightlife including a fun barcade and fashionable rooftop lounge. Here’s your itinerary for exploring downtown Sacramento. If you're looking for old-timey Sac, don't forget to check out the Old Sacramento Waterfront, too.
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