My only real beef with City of Sacramento is the nightlife here. It’s a mostly sleepy town. There seems to be nothing for the in-between crowd – those that are not looking for the “be seen” places and those looking for a step up from places that are primarily restaurants. Good luck trying to find a cool place to go after midnight and NOT pay a ridiculous cover (for what you get in return). I am looking forward to all of the new condos that will hopefully be constructed. We need some more life on the streets to sustain these types of places.

And by the way, it can be done. Columbus, Ohio is a great example. While many would say that it’s driven by Ohio State University, most people out and about do not currently attend Ohio State. They just end up sticking around because it’s a fun place to be. I have a hard time deciding which city I like more. Ultimately, I think Sacramento wins because of the great weather, access to nature, and yes – access to other amazing places within a couple hours drive. Sorry Sacramento for being in such a great location

You forgot Rick’s Desert Diner! I adore that place-assuming it’s still there. I’m a Sacramento girl who’s been living outside of California for the last 4 years, so I’ve got the nostalgic favorites mixed in with the touristy “ooh, lets see THIS”. I miss the hotdog guy outside of the Pine Cove. There’s a HDG in Oklahoma City, but his dogs are gross. Oooh, The Bread Shop…I hope that’s still open too. Yum-o!
I love Faces and The Monkey Bar and Old Sac, oh I love it there. The fun little train ride, the quirky shops, the boardwalk, ah…so fun. I think there’s a ton of stuff to do in Sacramento, but then I know the place.

I grew up in Berkeley, and lived in SF and Oakland in my 20s, but I love Sac so much more because of its coziness and friendliness. I love the hometowny things about Sac, most of which are mentioned in others’ comments above. Like how everyone new I meet seems to know people I already know. And how everyone isn’t trying to be cool all the time [with the exception of those at Harlow's/Momo etc].

I think my favorite cities in the US are Sac, Minneapolis, and Portland (with some love going out to Oakland and Austin), none of which really have much going for them in terms of tourist attractions, but all of which are cozy and liveable.

I was just saying last night that I want to put a sign on my front door that says “No Sac-Hating Allowed”.

I take visitors the places I go, usually, and sometimes add in an ice cream parlor (for which Sacramento should be famous if it’s not already), McKinley Park, Land Park, the Zoo, that sort of thing.

The only thing this town really needs is a second-run movie theater with pizza and booze — in Midtown preferably. Who do I have to bribe to get that going on?

I agree 100% with both of you, while there is touristy stuff, Sacramento is not one of those places that’s going blows tourists away with big city attractions at this point, but it really is a great place to live. I think that most people that come to Sacramento do not expect much, so I bring it upon myself to show them not only a good time, but a great time and blow their expectations away so they tell others.

From my experiences, people come away with a much different option of Sacramento once they have visited, versus the perception they had before spending a few nights here. As of now, it’s not the big city like SF, but it is very far from the cowtown a lot of people perceive it as. (I hate you Phil Jackson)

I hate that old saying, “It’s great because it’s so close to ___” Yeah, it’s nice to be 45 mins from Napa, 1 1/2 from skiing, ect ect, but I think a lot of people overlook what is in their backyard.

The one thing I wish was better and more of in Sacramento are the major cultural venues, but I think those will be coming in the near future.

Sacramento is a perfect place for a 3-4 day trip, a whole week is little too much at this point, you run out of things that aren’t part of everyday life unless you go to Napa, Tahoe, ect.

When I have people that come in from out of town, depending where they are from, what time of the year it is, and what they enjoy, I generally just step out of my house and start walking around, we really do have a great walkable scale here in the city core. It’s going to be even better when these infill projects happen and “connect the dots” between things and bring even more things to see and do.

A lot of these things really aren’t all “touristy” things, but they are things that make Sac a great place to live and people generally love them when I take them there.

The Crest, 2nd Saturday, The Crocker, (the expansion should be great, but we really need another major one), Railroad Museum and a quick strool through Old Sac, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. (If you have not been there since the renovation, go now. No, really, now), Music Circus for a unique theatre experience. Memorial Auditorium if something good is going on.

Concert in the Park at CC Park is always a favorite among people I bring there. Rafting down the American River with beer and water cannon in hand. Boating on the river overlooking DT. A walk/jog through Capital Park, with obligatory stop at the Capitol (they actually have some really cool stuff in there). J Street to the Fab 40’s with a stop at Sellands for lunch. ARP for a bike ride. Kings game. Great golf. Making beer at Brew It Up.

Dinning/Nightlife: Waterboy, Mason’s (patio in the spring summer, and fall time for drinks), Mikuni for CA foo foo (but tasty) sushi and bar scene, Taka’s for more traditional sushi, Aioli for great wine and Spanish food, Mussels and Wine at 55 Degrees, Streets of London, Fox and Goose for trivia night and breakfast, 33rd Street Bistro, New Canton for dim sum, farmers market Sunday morning to get fresh food for a dinner night, a Willy’s chili burger, hotdog guy outside of Pinecove after a night of drinking, Harlows (Tainted Love is always a fun draw), coffee and scones at Naked Lounge. (Notice no Paragary places)

Okay, I’m tired….I know I’m forgetting things, but that’s all I got right now

Future:
Shopping in DT Sac really sucks right now (I prefer outdoor urban shopping, like Union Square, not “mall” shopping), but in the near future I think DT, in particular K Street Mall, J Street and Capitol Mall, is going to be a much bigger draw for “big city” type stuff, lots of high-rises, lots of people walking the streets, street front retail shopping, general big city street pulse. 16th Street and R Street for more of funky loft warehouse district.