Alice & Michael's Sacramento Travel Guide
Food scene
A really serene, local cafe near the river with beautiful outdoor seating surrounded by numerous fruiting trees. As we write this description, we are actually at Tree House Cafe, sitting under a large pomegranate canopy! It feels like you're in someone's well-cared for backyard here.
The WiFi here is pretty decent outdoors, so if you want a nice outdoor work environment, this is a gem!
Tree House Cafe is also so close to the River Walk and Tower Bridge, this would be a nice place to stop at for some morning coffee before heading over to Old Town/Downtown.
Just FYI- you'll have to park on the street which can sometimes be a hassle. On the bright side, there's not usually traffic here (barring rush hour), so as long as you've a smidgen of patience, it's relatively stress free.
Tree House Cafe - West Sacramento Riverfront
630 3rd StreetA really serene, local cafe near the river with beautiful outdoor seating surrounded by numerous fruiting trees. As we write this description, we are actually at Tree House Cafe, sitting under a large pomegranate canopy! It feels like you're in someone's well-cared for backyard here.
The WiFi here is pretty decent outdoors, so if you want a nice outdoor work environment, this is a gem!
Tree House Cafe is also so close to the River Walk and Tower Bridge, this would be a nice place to stop at for some morning coffee before heading over to Old Town/Downtown.
Just FYI- you'll have to park on the street which can sometimes be a hassle. On the bright side, there's not usually traffic here (barring rush hour), so as long as you've a smidgen of patience, it's relatively stress free.
If you like Thai food, then this is a real treat! This isn't the fanciest-looking establishment, but it'll be very apparent why the seats are filled here once your food arrives. Oh, it is delicious and our favorite Thai restaurant in Sacramento area!
Our recommendation is their avocado green curry with brown rice. 100%. It comes with an entire avocado on top, and their brown rice is just the best! Load up on some Thai tea and be ready to take over the world!
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The Coconut On T
1110 T StIf you like Thai food, then this is a real treat! This isn't the fanciest-looking establishment, but it'll be very apparent why the seats are filled here once your food arrives. Oh, it is delicious and our favorite Thai restaurant in Sacramento area!
Our recommendation is their avocado green curry with brown rice. 100%. It comes with an entire avocado on top, and their brown rice is just the best! Load up on some Thai tea and be ready to take over the world!
Our 2nd Thai food recommendation, located in the college town of Davis just 15-20 minutes away. We LOVE this place, and it has a gorgeous aesthetic and vibe without an obnoxious price tag.
If you can tolerate eating while sitting on a floor pillow, we HIGHLY recommend asking to sit in the Thai room for a dark, moody vibe. Perfect for a date night.
Sophia's also has a bar area, which is separate from their main restaurant. Inside, it has a beautiful bar with a tropical fish tank. Outside, it has a deck that comes to life in the evenings with live dancing and music. Michael and Alice have spent countless hours here!
Downtown Davis itself is a gem, so let this be an excuse to make your way there! (If you're a gal that likes to shop- you MUST check out La Boheme- a beautiful thrift boutique with a beautiful selection of clothing with a gentle price tag.)
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Sophia's | Thai Bar & Kitchen
129 E StOur 2nd Thai food recommendation, located in the college town of Davis just 15-20 minutes away. We LOVE this place, and it has a gorgeous aesthetic and vibe without an obnoxious price tag.
If you can tolerate eating while sitting on a floor pillow, we HIGHLY recommend asking to sit in the Thai room for a dark, moody vibe. Perfect for a date night.
Sophia's also has a bar area, which is separate from their main restaurant. Inside, it has a beautiful bar with a tropical fish tank. Outside, it has a deck that comes to life in the evenings with live dancing and music. Michael and Alice have spent countless hours here!
Downtown Davis itself is a gem, so let this be an excuse to make your way there! (If you're a gal that likes to shop- you MUST check out La Boheme- a beautiful thrift boutique with a beautiful selection of clothing with a gentle price tag.)
This fantastic sit-down restaurant is in a historic firehouse and is only a short drive from the duplex! We love the laid-back ambiance here, whether you're sitting inside or outside. Burgers and Brew is a small Sacramento restaurant chain, with every location being a unique location.
This Airbnb app might send you to the downtown location, so be sure that you route yourself to the one in West Sacramento!
If you want to go for an even more hip environment, and are willing to go closer to midtown/downtown, we highly recommend going to Sacrament Brewing on J Street (also called Midtown Gastrobar). We like being there in the evenings to enjoy their sit-down rooftop bar environment!
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Burgers and Brew
1409 R StThis fantastic sit-down restaurant is in a historic firehouse and is only a short drive from the duplex! We love the laid-back ambiance here, whether you're sitting inside or outside. Burgers and Brew is a small Sacramento restaurant chain, with every location being a unique location.
This Airbnb app might send you to the downtown location, so be sure that you route yourself to the one in West Sacramento!
If you want to go for an even more hip environment, and are willing to go closer to midtown/downtown, we highly recommend going to Sacrament Brewing on J Street (also called Midtown Gastrobar). We like being there in the evenings to enjoy their sit-down rooftop bar environment!
Local coffee shop with an eclectic, light and airy aesthetic. And guess what… It’s located inside a ballet academy, just 12 minutes away! There’s a number of free 6hr parking spots around the block of the building, and even more 1hr parking.
This is Alice’s favorite coffee shop in Sacramento! WiFi is good for working. It’s growing in popularity though— so if it’s a weekend you’re looking at, you might have trouble finding seating inside the main shop. There is, however, abundant seating in the hallway.
Seasons Coffee Roasters
Local coffee shop with an eclectic, light and airy aesthetic. And guess what… It’s located inside a ballet academy, just 12 minutes away! There’s a number of free 6hr parking spots around the block of the building, and even more 1hr parking.
This is Alice’s favorite coffee shop in Sacramento! WiFi is good for working. It’s growing in popularity though— so if it’s a weekend you’re looking at, you might have trouble finding seating inside the main shop. There is, however, abundant seating in the hallway.
Overlook the Sacramento River on a nice scenic drive over Old River Road towards Woodland! Or drive over the I-5N bypass to overlook the agricultural fields and floodplains of Sacramento towards Woodland. Once you're there, swing by Morgan's Mill for a nice coffee visit. This coffee shop has a really nice atmosphere. There's a parking lot that should have no issue accomodating you, but sometimes the coffee shop can be quite full inside. If you're going during "off" hours though (eg, during the week day), you should be able to snag a seat!
Morgan's Mill
1059 Court StOverlook the Sacramento River on a nice scenic drive over Old River Road towards Woodland! Or drive over the I-5N bypass to overlook the agricultural fields and floodplains of Sacramento towards Woodland. Once you're there, swing by Morgan's Mill for a nice coffee visit. This coffee shop has a really nice atmosphere. There's a parking lot that should have no issue accomodating you, but sometimes the coffee shop can be quite full inside. If you're going during "off" hours though (eg, during the week day), you should be able to snag a seat!
Sacramento Experience
If there is anything you check out on this list, we hope it is Drake's Barn! Just a 7 min drive from the Airbnb, you will be right on River Walk, overlooking Tower Bridge and the cityscape of Sacramento. Drake's Barn is a very large, family-friendly outdoor venue with lots of seating around benches, tables, and chairs around bonfires. We especially love sunsets and evenings here. Be sure to try their beer! Drake's is a relatively local brewery in the Bay Area. We like to suggest Drake's Barn as a Sacramento Experience!
If you want to guarantee a bonfire you can reserve one (for $30) on their website, but if you're going on a weeknight you should be able to just snag a seat. If you do end up going, I recommend parking at the "5th and Bridge Lot" (type that into GoogleMaps) and you'll get your first 2 hrs parking free with the ParkMobile app. You won't see any physical signs noting that the parking is free... it'll check out as free on the app though. It's a local's secret, haha.
By the way... Across the street from Drake's is Franquette's... a really beautiful small french-bites place with coffee in the day and wine at night!
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Drake's: The Barn
985 Riverfront StIf there is anything you check out on this list, we hope it is Drake's Barn! Just a 7 min drive from the Airbnb, you will be right on River Walk, overlooking Tower Bridge and the cityscape of Sacramento. Drake's Barn is a very large, family-friendly outdoor venue with lots of seating around benches, tables, and chairs around bonfires. We especially love sunsets and evenings here. Be sure to try their beer! Drake's is a relatively local brewery in the Bay Area. We like to suggest Drake's Barn as a Sacramento Experience!
If you want to guarantee a bonfire you can reserve one (for $30) on their website, but if you're going on a weeknight you should be able to just snag a seat. If you do end up going, I recommend parking at the "5th and Bridge Lot" (type that into GoogleMaps) and you'll get your first 2 hrs parking free with the ParkMobile app. You won't see any physical signs noting that the parking is free... it'll check out as free on the app though. It's a local's secret, haha.
By the way... Across the street from Drake's is Franquette's... a really beautiful small french-bites place with coffee in the day and wine at night!
Satiate your sweet tooth in this 1950's-styled flagship Sacramento staple! Rick's Dessert Diner is a go-to whenever we host our friends. :) When you experience Rick's Dessert Diner, you're experiencing a part of Sacramento's soul.
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Rick's Dessert Diner
2401 J StSatiate your sweet tooth in this 1950's-styled flagship Sacramento staple! Rick's Dessert Diner is a go-to whenever we host our friends. :) When you experience Rick's Dessert Diner, you're experiencing a part of Sacramento's soul.
Stunning historic art deco Sacramento theatre (c. 1912) near downtown Sacramento. Look up their updated schedule while you're in town! They are always playing interesting movies. It's also located in K Street, which is a very busy and bustling part of Sacramento in the evenings- though it is more appropriate for adults in the evenings, due to the number of bars on K Street.
33 locals raden deze aan
Crest Theatre, Sacramento, Ca
1013 K StStunning historic art deco Sacramento theatre (c. 1912) near downtown Sacramento. Look up their updated schedule while you're in town! They are always playing interesting movies. It's also located in K Street, which is a very busy and bustling part of Sacramento in the evenings- though it is more appropriate for adults in the evenings, due to the number of bars on K Street.
If you like your wines, this is a beautiful place to go and indulge in a glass or two. It's under a 30 minute drive from the duplex and is a hub of wineries all throughout the valley (including the world-known Napa Valley)! Michael and I aren't winos, but we LOVE bringing our visiting guests here because of the beautiful architecture- it is a historic sugar mill from sugar beets and was renovated a decade ago. There isn't a lot of food there, and it is also fairly isolated in long stretches of fields, so we do suggest grabbing a bite to eat before coming here! Because it isn't quite a bar, but is a known and beloved activity of locals, we are considering this a Sacramento Experience.
We highly recommend taking the Hwy-84 route instead of I-5, because you'll get to enjoy driving through the beautiful Sacramento agricultural fields that we are so known for.
The Old Sugar Mill is very close to Hwy-160, which will give you an incredible scenic drive to the heart of the California Delta. If you love day-driving scenic routes, you might want to consider making this a half-day trip! See our recommendation to Rio Vista.
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Old Sugar Mill
35265 Willow AveIf you like your wines, this is a beautiful place to go and indulge in a glass or two. It's under a 30 minute drive from the duplex and is a hub of wineries all throughout the valley (including the world-known Napa Valley)! Michael and I aren't winos, but we LOVE bringing our visiting guests here because of the beautiful architecture- it is a historic sugar mill from sugar beets and was renovated a decade ago. There isn't a lot of food there, and it is also fairly isolated in long stretches of fields, so we do suggest grabbing a bite to eat before coming here! Because it isn't quite a bar, but is a known and beloved activity of locals, we are considering this a Sacramento Experience.
We highly recommend taking the Hwy-84 route instead of I-5, because you'll get to enjoy driving through the beautiful Sacramento agricultural fields that we are so known for.
The Old Sugar Mill is very close to Hwy-160, which will give you an incredible scenic drive to the heart of the California Delta. If you love day-driving scenic routes, you might want to consider making this a half-day trip! See our recommendation to Rio Vista.
Neighborhoods
Take advantage of your super close proximity to Old Sacramento! Enjoy the waterfront, numerous restaurants, and various shopping stores.
We highly recommend checking out the Delta King, which used to carry travelers from San Francisco to Sacramento in the late 1920's. They have a wonderful bar upstairs, which lets you overlook the water and in the evenings, enjoy live music.
We love taking our guests to Fanny Ann's, which is a dark and eclectic multi-story burger joint.
We LOVE taking our guests to see the historic Union Hotel, which we love climbing up the stairs to admire the architecture. Union Hotel has a number of interesting places within.
- We recommend visiting Union Lounge, which is a gastrobar on the 3rd floor. It has a lot of natural light and an art deco vibe! (If you like mixed drinks... you MUST ask for their margarita, made with fresh blueberries, mint, cucumber, and jalepeno!)
- The Union Hotel also has an indoor mini golf place called SacMiniGolf! We haven't personally gone to it, but we've had a number of small family guests that've had a good time there.
Random fact: did you know, Old Sacramento is actually built on top of another Older Sacramento? Sacramento used to get flooded so much, that city planners inevitably raised the whole town! There are tours that you can take to explore the underground!
281 locals raden deze aan
Old Sacramento
Take advantage of your super close proximity to Old Sacramento! Enjoy the waterfront, numerous restaurants, and various shopping stores.
We highly recommend checking out the Delta King, which used to carry travelers from San Francisco to Sacramento in the late 1920's. They have a wonderful bar upstairs, which lets you overlook the water and in the evenings, enjoy live music.
We love taking our guests to Fanny Ann's, which is a dark and eclectic multi-story burger joint.
We LOVE taking our guests to see the historic Union Hotel, which we love climbing up the stairs to admire the architecture. Union Hotel has a number of interesting places within.
- We recommend visiting Union Lounge, which is a gastrobar on the 3rd floor. It has a lot of natural light and an art deco vibe! (If you like mixed drinks... you MUST ask for their margarita, made with fresh blueberries, mint, cucumber, and jalepeno!)
- The Union Hotel also has an indoor mini golf place called SacMiniGolf! We haven't personally gone to it, but we've had a number of small family guests that've had a good time there.
Random fact: did you know, Old Sacramento is actually built on top of another Older Sacramento? Sacramento used to get flooded so much, that city planners inevitably raised the whole town! There are tours that you can take to explore the underground!
Bar Scene (21+!)
A lively, vibrant tiki bar just 15 minutes from home! Sip on some pina coladas and meet some fun locals here. :) It's a bit of an intimate space, but if you don't want to be crammed in with a lot of people there's a nice outdoor seating area too. This is just a short walk from Rick's Dessert Diner!
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Jungle Bird
2516 J StA lively, vibrant tiki bar just 15 minutes from home! Sip on some pina coladas and meet some fun locals here. :) It's a bit of an intimate space, but if you don't want to be crammed in with a lot of people there's a nice outdoor seating area too. This is just a short walk from Rick's Dessert Diner!
REAL MERMAIDS. Yes, there are REAL professional mermaids here! A dark 'n moody bar, a staple of Sacramento. Mermaids swim in a large, beautiful 40-gallon saltwater tank above the main bar. If you're lucky, one of them will blow you a kiss!
According to their website, mermaids make an appearance on Sunday - Thursday - 9:30 PM / 10:30 PM, Friday - Saturday - 8:30PM / 9:30PM / 10:30 PM / 11:30 PM. You might want to call in advance just to make sure!
39 locals raden deze aan
Dive Bar
1016 K StREAL MERMAIDS. Yes, there are REAL professional mermaids here! A dark 'n moody bar, a staple of Sacramento. Mermaids swim in a large, beautiful 40-gallon saltwater tank above the main bar. If you're lucky, one of them will blow you a kiss!
According to their website, mermaids make an appearance on Sunday - Thursday - 9:30 PM / 10:30 PM, Friday - Saturday - 8:30PM / 9:30PM / 10:30 PM / 11:30 PM. You might want to call in advance just to make sure!
Incredibly lively bar with AMAZING karaoke in the evenings. It's slightly dive-y (which we love)! If you're looking for an easy-going, good-vibes bar, while watching local Sacramentoans sing and dance (for better or worse), this is a fantastic place to go. They tend to run out of seating but personally we don't mind standing around. We don't know what it's like to actually try to sing here, but we can tell you it's fun as a spectator! Karaoke usually starts at 8pm.
Pine Cove
502 29th StIncredibly lively bar with AMAZING karaoke in the evenings. It's slightly dive-y (which we love)! If you're looking for an easy-going, good-vibes bar, while watching local Sacramentoans sing and dance (for better or worse), this is a fantastic place to go. They tend to run out of seating but personally we don't mind standing around. We don't know what it's like to actually try to sing here, but we can tell you it's fun as a spectator! Karaoke usually starts at 8pm.
City/town information
If you love scenic drives and wouldn't mind going out for a half day, a trip to the California Delta is for you. Rio Vista is just one of several small towns in the California Delta. It's SO crazy that an incredible amount of locals here don't even realize how close this incredible place is! The California Delta is a major source of freshwater for northern and southern California, and supports a tremendous footprint of agriculture in our valley. It's somewhat a forgotten place, but has so much charm. The drive to Rio Vista alone will show you so much of this beautiful landscape, where the Sacramento River flows outwards towards the sea.
Our favorite place to go to in Rio Vista is Foster's Bighorn- an old diner with an incredible collection of big game taxidermy from various African countries and North America. It's a really interesting experience. We recommend the bison burger if you want something unique!
While you're in the Delta, you can also visit the small town of Locke (in Walnut Grove, CA), which is known to be the oldest remaining rural Chinese town. Today, it is only one small street, but the facades of the buildings are so memorable. There's several small museums there- our favorite is the gambling museum which is so well-preserved.
If you plan to visit the Delta on a Sunday, then we HIGHLY recommend going to the all-you-can-eat and bottomless mimosa brunch at the historic Ryde Hotel. It's about $27/person but worth it! Guests enjoy a delicious brunch, overlooking the Sacramento River as they dine in an art deco hotel built in the 1920's. Heads up, it's slightly dilapidated, but Michael and I love the character here.
Because all the cool spots in the Delta are small and spread out, we don't recommend going to each spot as a standalone trip, but should be a stop in your trip! Note that this will involve driving on levee roads with farmland on one side, and the Sacramento River on the other. If night driving isn't fun for you, then you should plan to head out by sunset. :)
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Rio Vista
If you love scenic drives and wouldn't mind going out for a half day, a trip to the California Delta is for you. Rio Vista is just one of several small towns in the California Delta. It's SO crazy that an incredible amount of locals here don't even realize how close this incredible place is! The California Delta is a major source of freshwater for northern and southern California, and supports a tremendous footprint of agriculture in our valley. It's somewhat a forgotten place, but has so much charm. The drive to Rio Vista alone will show you so much of this beautiful landscape, where the Sacramento River flows outwards towards the sea.
Our favorite place to go to in Rio Vista is Foster's Bighorn- an old diner with an incredible collection of big game taxidermy from various African countries and North America. It's a really interesting experience. We recommend the bison burger if you want something unique!
While you're in the Delta, you can also visit the small town of Locke (in Walnut Grove, CA), which is known to be the oldest remaining rural Chinese town. Today, it is only one small street, but the facades of the buildings are so memorable. There's several small museums there- our favorite is the gambling museum which is so well-preserved.
If you plan to visit the Delta on a Sunday, then we HIGHLY recommend going to the all-you-can-eat and bottomless mimosa brunch at the historic Ryde Hotel. It's about $27/person but worth it! Guests enjoy a delicious brunch, overlooking the Sacramento River as they dine in an art deco hotel built in the 1920's. Heads up, it's slightly dilapidated, but Michael and I love the character here.
Because all the cool spots in the Delta are small and spread out, we don't recommend going to each spot as a standalone trip, but should be a stop in your trip! Note that this will involve driving on levee roads with farmland on one side, and the Sacramento River on the other. If night driving isn't fun for you, then you should plan to head out by sunset. :)
Craft Breweries
West Sacramento microbrewery! We Sacramentoans love our beer, and we have two microbreweries in West Sacramento. If you like your craft beers, check out Bike Dog! It is kind of a tight space with very minimal seating- so don't expect a very comfortable stay if that matters to you. However, we do recommend this place for the beer connoisseur. Our favorite here is their milk stout!
For a more comfortable microbrewery establishment, you can walk down the street to visit Jackrabbit Brewing! These two locations are just 2-3 minute walk from each other.
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Bike Dog Brewing Company
2568 Industrial BlvdWest Sacramento microbrewery! We Sacramentoans love our beer, and we have two microbreweries in West Sacramento. If you like your craft beers, check out Bike Dog! It is kind of a tight space with very minimal seating- so don't expect a very comfortable stay if that matters to you. However, we do recommend this place for the beer connoisseur. Our favorite here is their milk stout!
For a more comfortable microbrewery establishment, you can walk down the street to visit Jackrabbit Brewing! These two locations are just 2-3 minute walk from each other.
West Sacramento's other microbrewery! A little bit more spacious than Bike Dog Brewing, which is just a 2-3 minute walk from Jackrabbit. If you want to visit both breweries, then we recommend starting at Bike Dog and ending at Jackrabbit as it is a more comfortable stay!
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Jackrabbit Brewing
1323 Terminal StWest Sacramento's other microbrewery! A little bit more spacious than Bike Dog Brewing, which is just a 2-3 minute walk from Jackrabbit. If you want to visit both breweries, then we recommend starting at Bike Dog and ending at Jackrabbit as it is a more comfortable stay!