10 May 2017
There's more to see, do and explore in California's capital city than ever before. With the city's redevelopment in full swing, new eateries, craft breweries and boutiques pop up daily.
GRAND OPENINGS
Golden 1 Center
https://www.golden1center.com/
Central to Sacramento's recent redevelopment is the new downtown Golden 1 Center sports and entertainment complex, which opened in October 2016. Home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings basketball team, the downtown arena also showcases major concert tours (Sir Paul McCartney was Golden 1 Center's first musical act) and other performances and sporting events. In addition, Golden 1 Center can also accommodate large-scale events and conventions.
The new arena was built with a modern and sleek design and is said to be the most technologically-advanced in the country. Golden 1 Center features several large-scale art installations from local and national artists, including an original sculpture from Jeff Koons, along with reclaimed neon signs from several of the city's well-known landmarks, like the original Tower Records. In keeping with Sacramento's farm-to-fork philosophy, the arena's executive chef Michael Tuohy and his team offer a menu with 90 percent of the ingredients sourced within 150 miles of the court. Fans can also enjoy courtside bites from local restaurants who have stands throughout the arena's concourse, as well as regional craft brews from favorites like Sierra Nevada.
TRANSPORTATION
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
The food and beverage program at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) has been awarded first place for medium-sized airports in the prestigious annual competition sponsored by Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA).
The award is for overall excellence and includes concessions in both Terminal A and Terminal B.
The food and beverage concession program at Sacramento International Airport is a mix of local, regional and national concepts that create a sense of place reflecting Sacramento's role as the gateway to Northern California. Concessionaires offer locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients, giving customers the opportunity to relax and enjoy meals reflective of America's Farm-to Fork Capital.
Southwest has announced it will offer new daily nonstop service to Long Beach (LGB) and Spokane, Washington (GEG) from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) beginning Aug. 1. Southwest will also offer additional flights to San Diego and Seattle from SMF beginning June 5. The service expansion will make SMF the 16th largest airport in the Southwest network.
Beginning June 8, United Airlines will begin offering daily nonstop service between Sacramento and Newark, N.J. The new flight will operate year-round, except for certain dates in January and February. This flight marks the seventh nonstop destination on the East Coast available to Sacramento passengers during the summer of 2017.
NEW HOTELS
The Sawyer
Next to Golden 1 Center
https://www.kimptonhotels.com/stay/kimpton-sawyer-hotel-sacramento-ca
The Sacramento Kings have partnered with JMA Ventures to bring a Kimpton Hotel to Sacramento's Golden 1 Center site. The project is part of a 16-story, mixed-use building that will include condos and retail space. The Sawyer will offer 250 guest rooms, the high-end Echo & Rig Steakhouse, and a bar. Completion Date: Late Summer 2017
Hampton Inn
65th Street near California State University, Sacramento
Developers recently announced that the construction of a new, 114-room Hampton Inn near Sacramento State University is slated to be completed by early fall. This four-story property will be designed to service the college, as well as business travelers. Completion Date: Sept. 2017
NEW CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATIONS
D.O. Mills Bank Building
629 J Street
Sacramento's historic D.O. Mills Bank, built in 1912, is undergoing a complete transformation into a public space with 10 to 12 food vendors and several bars. The new space - rebranded simply as “The Bank” - will contain three levels and 30,000 square feet. Local chefs and eateries will be interwoven throughout the building's renowned architecture. The bank's original vaults, seen only by a privileged few for decades, will now be open to the public as an underground taproom. The identity of the building will not be compromised and unique architectural details of the building will remain. The project will also showcase a rooftop atrium and deck overlooking downtown. The Bank is scheduled to open in summer 2017.
Downtown Commons
660 J Street
http://www.docosacramento.com/
Downtown Commons, nicknamed DOCO, will be a 3-acre plaza that will feature entertainment, innovative restaurants, clothing stores, a 250-room boutique hotel, and a place for people to enjoy outdoor concerts, fresh markets and outdoor activities, all near Sacramento's new Golden 1 Center. Scheduled to open in early 2017.
Historic R Street Corridor
R Street between 10th and 15th
Once an industrial warehouse district, Sacramento's R Street Corridor is now a bustling entertainment district. Visitors can enjoy a cocktail at the famed Shady Lady Saloon, try some poke at local favorite Fish Face, tour the amazing creations from residents at the Artists' Lofts, shop in unique boutiques and much more. R Street continues to see new additions, so even more excitement is yet to come. Ongoing project.
RESTAURANTS, BEER AND WINE
Cantina Alley
2320 Jazz Alley
www.facebook.com/midtownscantinaalley
Cantina Alley is Sacramento's newest spot for Mexican cuisine, margaritas and cocktails. The restaurant features décor elements that pay tribute to Mexico and its heritage.
Amaro Bistro & Bar
11th & R streets
http://www.amarobistrobar.com/
The newest spot to open in the Historic R Street Corridor, Italian restaurant Amaro Bistro & Bar serves a selection of pizzas and pastas as well as scrumptious Italian desserts. The restaurant décor features an open kitchen where diners get a full view of cooks at work as well as decorative tin tile ceilings and paintings of Italian nobles and clergy.
Sauced BBQ & Spirits
7th & K streets
http://saucedbbqandspirits.com/
The first restaurant to open in Sacramento's Downtown Commons (DOCO) just a hop, skip and jump from the new Golden 1 Center, Sauced brings good, authentic Southern BBQ to Sacramento. Exactly how “Southern” is Sauced? In addition to the recipes long-perfected in the South by co-owner Brenden Scanlon, Scanlon and his partner and cousin even shipped in wood and corrugated ceilings from Georgia and North Carolina to add to the Southern atmosphere. Sauced offers four varieties of BBQ sauces, full three course meals and a wide variety of beer, wine, whiskey and cocktails.
Wild Flour Café
1430 14th Street
https://www.thewildflourcafe.com/
Downtown Sacramento's new breakfast & lunch destination restaurant, Wild Flour Cafe offers local organic salads & healthy lunch choices for the downtown workers. They also serve amazing artisan house crafted baked goods, house made sausages, million dollar bacon, & local fresh egg dishes. Great food, locally sourced, seasonal menus and organic produce in a sustainable restaurant - with to-go salads offered in return-for-deposit mason jars as well as discounts to those who bring their own coffee mugs.
Pedal for Your Next Pint
The Sacramento region is home to an exploding craft beer scene, with more than 40 breweries throughout the area. Visitors can explore local breweries and pedal for their pints aboard this bicycle built for 15.
Raise a Glass in California's Best-Kept Secret Wine Region
http://www.sacramentowineguide.com/
The Sacramento region is home to more than 200 wineries and tasting rooms, many of which offer free or affordable tastings, along with opportunities to meet the winemakers themselves. Not to worry if time is too limited to explore the wineries outside the city. Several downtown Sacramento venues now offer tastes of regional wines. There's the Underground Tasting Room in Old Sacramento, RailBridge Cellars, Revolution Wines, 58 Degrees & Holding in Midtown and Downtown & Vine near the Convention Center.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Leonardo da Vinci “Machines in Motion” International Traveling Exhibit
Aerospace Museum of California
Feb. 6 through Sept. 4, 2017
Explore forty impressive machine replicas based on Leonardo da Vinci's visionary designs and innovative notebook drawings at this incredible 9,000-square-foot exhibit at Sacramento's Aerospace Museum. All of the hands-on machines have been meticulously constructed by a modern team of scientists and craftsmen in collaboration with the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Florence, Italy.
Wide Open Walls
August 10-20, 2017
Various locations throughout Sacramento
http://www.wow916.com/
The “Wide Open Walls” street art event will bring over 20 local muralists, emerging artists, university students and more than 12 international street art superstars to the Sacramento region. The newly branded event will build on the success of last years' Sacramento Mural Festival, bringing more world-wide attention to Sacramento's venerable history of mural painting – which has already produced over 400 murals throughout the region over the last 50 years.
SPORTS
Amgen Tour of California
May 14, 2017
http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/
The tour will return to Sacramento for the fourth year in a row, with the city hosting the race's heart-pounding start through downtown Sacramento. Join thousands of cycling fans as they line the streets to see the world's most elite competitors ride through California's Capital.
USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships
June 23-25, 2017
http://www.usatf.org/Home.aspx
The best track and field athletes in the country will compete to qualify for the IAAF World Championships this summer at Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium.
EVENTS
Farm-to-Fork Taste of Summer
June 3-4, 2017
http://www.farmtofork.com/events/tasteofsummer/
A weekend dedicated to the food and drinks that make the Sacramento region one of the country's hottest dining destinations.
Grand Tasting presented by Save Mart, June 3, 2017
Sacramento's most popular wine tasting event returns to Cesar Chavez Plaza with more than 50 regional wineries pouring throughout the evening. Attendees will also find bites from favorite local restaurants, craft beer, live music and much more.
Farm-to-Fork Sunday Brunch, June 4, 2017
While September may be known in part for a Farm-to-Fork dinner on the bridge, June is soon to be known for brunch on the street. Enjoy a lazy afternoon in the California sun at Sacramento's most anticipated brunch event of the season. Sample a farm-to-fork feast and bottomless mimosas from Four Diamond Dawson's at the Hyatt Regency, served outdoors in the Kay district in downtown Sacramento.
California State Fair
July 14-30, 2017
The summer's biggest celebration of the Golden State returns to Cal Expo with food, rides, exhibits, live music and so much more.
The Visit Sacramento Photo Library is available at:
https://www.visitsacramento.com/media/photo-video-download/
