Sacramento Blog

What to do in Sac (or close to Sac) this weekend: May 10-13.

janelle starr — Fri, 11 May 2007 06:29:10 +0000

I have three words for you: DIXON MAY FAIR. Don't let your brain start telling you you're not interested in a small-town fair of absolutely no particular draw other than being a small-town fair. Don't get hung up thinking goats, sheep, cows and the smells associated with them don't interest you, and that there is no way the two strips of fair and grassy area of rides could get you out to Dixon. I haven't missed the Dixon May Fair once in the past 7 years, and it has never let me down. It is just fun. It's the perfect size. Locals are everywhere. Actually, now that I think about it, everybody knows everybody else and you feel like you're visiting a really cool old town out in Virginia or something. There is a great beer garden, complete with a rockin' stage of era-specific cover bands, an arena that people on horses ride around in doing cool things with flags, and the best rolled tacos ON THE PLANET, hands down. I can't remember the name, but it's a round wooden little structure that sells only rolled tacos; you won't miss it because there will be a line of at least 20 people. Stand in line and get the tacos. Get at least five. You will eat them all.

Surprisingly, the Dixon May Fair draws some pretty big names in terms of singers and bands. A couple years ago my husband and I saw Willie Nelson. It was amazing. The acoustics are not amazing, however, but luckily the small-town feeling and small venue make up for it.

There are just enough rides to get kids excited but save parents the agony of kids going on 75 thousand rides. It's cheap. There's good food and wine and crafts. There are little shows for the kids. There's a "kid's day" where all kids under 12 have free entrance. There's plenty of parking. We have actually managed to convince our daughter that the Dixon fair is THE FAIR, and have thus avoided the asphalt-infested, stinky and overcrowded hell known by some as the fair in Sacramento, where parking is $15., entrance is $20., the rides are $5 each and as soon as you walk in the doors you're wondering why the hell you came. Sorry. I hate large fairs.

This year's theme is "Barn to be Wild." Don't you freaking love it? Eric Burdon & the Animals, the All-American Rejects and Ozomatli are all playing at the Fair this year, and there are tons of other little events you don't want to miss, such as Dr. Goodjohn's Old-Time Magic and Medicine Show, the Precision Chaos Dog Agility Demo, and of course, the Annual Diaper Derby. Please go. You'll dig it, I promise.

http://www.dixonmayfair.com/index.html

Woodland Opera House

janelle starr — Tue, 08 May 2007 00:32:17 +0000

I lived in the Sacramento area about 5 years before I discovered the Woodland Opera House. Since then, I never miss a show. Located on Main Street in the center of downtown Woodland (all 8 blocks of it....:), this theater is old and very, very cool. The theater was originally built in 1885, but burned down and was re-built in 1892.

The theater has undergone a major restoration, and retains its old-time feel and charm. I LOVE IT. It's intimate and small enough so all the seats are good, but big enough to feel like you're out at the theater. There is both adult and children's theater; I recommend both.

My daughter and I never miss a show there. She's five and loves it as much as I do. Also, there are many great restaurants within walking distance of the theater for a bite to eat before or after the show.

Check it out. It's a great choice for theater outings with kids, families or couples, or just something fun out of Sacramento for a bit of a change.

Currently they're running Miller's "Death of a Salesman." Always a classic, of course.

www.wohtheater.org

The Elk Grove Western Festival - MAY 5-6

janelle starr — Wed, 02 May 2007 19:22:34 +0000

Okay, so the name may not ring total excitement into your brain, but let me tell you, the Elk Grove Western Festival is FUN. It's at this fabulous park with trees everywhere; and there's this little lake with ducks and a bridge.

You can walk around to all these booths, where vendors are selling cool stuff. Totally kid friendly (totally friendly period), the Western Festival has pony rides, a helicopter lift-off, firetrucks and many other small-town joys. It really is a fun event. We've always heard great music there --- country, blues, folk and rock-n-roll.

Incredible food is everywhere, barbequed ribs and chicken, beer and wine, hot dogs, etc. Really, it's a laid-back, small-town, fun festival. There's plenty of parking (costs $10 or so - or you can park on the street for free and walk). AND, Admission is FREE. You'll love it.

http://www.elkgrovewesternfestival.com/

Elk Grove Park
8701 Parkway
Elk Grove, CA
95624

Davis Farmer's Market

janelle starr — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:51:40 +0000

O little Pleasantville we all know and love, Davis, close to our hearts. Sorry. I went to school there, and while a college student, the place seemed rather euphoric to me, with the bike stop lights, bar route, students everywhere, and sweet downtown. I never had to leave. Everything was there, in Davis, my town.

But then I got over it. I discovered Sacramento and now Davis strikes me as an over-educated, yuppie-ridden town, but with a GREAT farmer's market. Okay, so there are aspects of Davis I still love, but it used to be a much more laid-back place, and I hear a normal person could even afford a condo. It can be a bit stuck-up and unfriendly; there are so many RULES (no smoking, no snoring too loud, no "Bicycling under the Influence," etc). It's kind of like an uptight Berkeley. Davis is a great place if you like knowing EVERYBODY and seeing all the people you partied with in college and, in my husband's case, people he'd rather forget from high school years. This is all, of course, my opinion; you should check it out for yourself if you haven't already.

BUT, that being said, I must highly recommend you and your family cruise to Davis on either a Saturday morning or Wednesday night (during summer months) to hang out at the Farmer's Market. It is ridiculously fun and accessible, and you can buy excellent produce, fruit, bread, tortillas, eggs, etc.

There's always somebody playing music. They serve excellent coffee, and wonderful food is everywhere. The Market is held at the adorable Central Park, which has a play structure, grassy field, rose garden, merry-go-round and pony rides (I told you it was Pleasantville).

There are always some interesting booths protesting some issue for the hyper-educated, and the dog-adoption place is almost always there, so you can even contemplate taking on another puppy, even though you already have 2 kids and 2 dogs (oh wait, is that just me?). There are vendors of all sorts, and numerous specialty food items (jams, butters, chesses, etc.). On Wednesday nights (Picnic in the Park), there is a stage and band, and everybody's out with their kids, wine and blankets. There is a perfectly sized fountain that comes out of the ground for kids to play in. There is also a wine and beer garden. ALL GOOD.

http://www.davisfarmersmarket.org/

BEST CARNITAS in Sacramento

janelle starr — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 21:50:34 +0000

I heard somebody mumbling something about which restaurant has the best carnitas in Sacramento. I thought I'd just clear that up. My husband, a man whose somewhat frightening obsession with carnitas has led us to most Mexican eating establishments in the tri-county area, has spent our 6 years in Sacramento trying to solve this very same perplexing question. He has absolutely tried all carnitas available in Sacramento, and swears, and I agree, that the best carnitas in Sac can be found at Zocalo (accent on the first syllable). However, I think they have a different (better) chef on the weekends, so make a reservation and go on the weekend. The food is AMAZING; please excuse the noise and yuppies on Friday or Saturday nights. The place will be packed and bustling, but the food is worth it, and they undoubtedly serve the best carnitas in town, alongside some fabulous homemade tortillas, beans, and cilantro rice. Also serve margaritas and mojitos (full bar).

Zocalo Restaurant

1801 Capitol Ave (18th and Capitol Ave)
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 441-0303

Hours:
Mon. - Wed. 11am - 10pm
Thurs. 11am - 11pm
Fri. & Sat. 11am - Midnight http://www.zocalosacramento.com/

Museums and Galleries in Sacramento

janelle starr — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:30:32 +0000

There's a lot of history in Sacramento, and while it's not a major cosmopolitan city (a fact we locals are immensely proud of), there are also some impressive art galleries. Here are some museums and galleries to check out in and around Sacramento:

Crocker Art Museum
216 O Street, Sacramento, 916.264.5423
www.crockerartmuseum.org

Edwin Crocker was a major figure in Sacramento's history. He was a philanthropist, state Supreme Court justice, and an abolitionist. He traveled to Europe with his family and acquired a collection of hundreds of paintings and drawings. He also collected Asian art, photographs, art from California during his time, and sculptures. The Crocker is a great museum with a wonderful collection, and impressive rotating collections. Don't miss it.

California Military Museum

1119 Second Street, Sacramento

916.442.2883

www.militarymuseum.org

In this three-story Old Sac building you will find military memorabilia dating back to 1775. Arranged chronologically, you can learn of America's military history in an interesting and entertaining way. And if you like guns, this museum contains on of the largest collections of military long-arms in the Western U.S. Very cool place.

California State Railroad Museum
Second and I Streets, Old Sacramento, 916.445.7387
www.csrmf.org

A famous and moving museum for train-lovers, and fascinating place for those even remotely interested in locomotives. Amazing photographs, 46 exhibits tracing the history of trains in America, and real steam engines (including the first and last ones built by Central Pacific). A play area for the kids, and 21 full-size locomotives in rotating display. An interactive museum, kids can climb up into rail cars, and feel a rocking car. Absolutely not an option to miss this museum.

California State Archives
1020 O Street, Sacramento, 916.653.7715

Stacks and stacks of preserved, reproduced and other archived materials of the California legislature. There are also educational and interactive elements, teaching about the California state government system.

California State Indian Museum
2618 K Street, Sacramento, 916.324.0539

This museum features all elements of Native American culture, and is the first of its kind in California. Art and craft exhibits teach of lifestyles, eating and survival habits, and social systems of America's native peoples. Absolutely stunning displays.

My favorite local art galleries:

- The Artery

207 G Street, Davis, 530.758.8330, www.arteryart.com

Local artists from Northern California. Great downtown-Davis location as well.

- Art Foundry Gallery

1025 R Street, Sacramento, 916.444.2787, http://www.artfoundryinc.com/index.html

Right in the middle of Sacramento's up-and-coming urban art scene. Check it out.

If you're in college (or 21 at least), and in Sacramento, do these things.

janelle starr — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:45:29 +0000

Not that I know all the things you can do in Sac. But I'm young, and I live in Sac, and so do all my friends, and these are the things we think are cool. So, if you are in Sacramento and looking for fun, I recommend the following:

1.) Read my blog about DIVE BARS.

2.) Read my blog about PLACES TO HEAR MUSIC.

3.) Hang out at Discovery Park in the summertime. Bring a blanket and a bbq and beer and sit in a lawn chair on the river.

4.) Raft down the Sac or American river with a group of friends. It's fun.

5.) Go to Sunday night Trivia Night at Streets of London on J. Street.

6.) Go downtown for "Second Saturday." All the businesses open, many serve food and wine, everybody's out. It's super cool.

7.) Go to a River Cats came. They're cheap, and everybody's there.

8.) Go to a restaurant on the river near old-town Sac or on Garden Highway (there are many. look them up).

AND IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE....

GO TO THE FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERTS AT CAESAR CHAVEZ PARK. EVERY COLLEGE STUDENT IN THE TRI-COUNTY AREA WILL BE IN THE BEER GARDEN, PROBABLY ACTING LIKE AN IDIOT.

(tell me what I've forgotten).

Sacramento Radio Stations

sacramentoblogger20 — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 06:42:51 +0000

So . . . you've arrived in Sacramento, checked in the hotel, and thought you'd take a drive in your rental car to see the sights. But what radio stations will accompany you while tooling around the "City of Trees"? Well here are a few suggestions of popular radio stations in the area to get you going.

KNCI 105.1 - Sacramento - New Country.

KBFB 103.5 - Sacramento - R&B, Hip Hop.

KHYL 101.1 - Sacramento - R&B, Oldies.

KFBK 1530 - Sacramento - News & Talk.

KSTN 1420/107.3 - Stockton - Power Oldies.

KZZO 100.5 - Sacramento - Alternative Rock.

KFIA 710 - Carmichael - Christian Talk Radio.

KHTK 1140 - Sacramento - Sports Talk.

TALKCITY 1240 - Sacramento - Progressive Talk.

KWOD 106.5 - Sacramento - Alternative Radio.

KGBY 92.5 - Sacramento - Hits from the 80s and 90s.

KSSJ 94.7 - Sacramento - Smooth Jazz.

KUOP 91.3 - Sacramento - NPR News & Discussion.

KYMX 96.0 - Sacramento

KYCC 90.1 - Sacramento - Christian Music & Bible Programming.

KRXQ 98.5 - Sacramento

Great OUTINGS and PLACES for FAMILIES

janelle starr — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 17:23:51 +0000

1.) William Land Park - Take your little ones on a sunny day. Feed the ducks. Have a picnic. There's a really nice, shaded playground, pony rides on Saturdays, and even a mini-amusement Park (Funderland), and Fairytale Town, a local favorite. And of course, there's the Sacramento Zoo. You can get a pass for around $10 that includes entry into the zoo and Fairytale town across the street, and to go on rides at Funderland you just need to buy tickets. The zoo is just big enough to thrill and fascinate a child, but small enough not to overwhelm and irritate the parents (you can see the whole thing in an hour if you want). William Land Park is fabulous; it reminds me of one of the fabulous sprawling parks in Europe. A really great day outing anytime.

2.) Davis Farmer's Market - Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings during the summer, there's a charming farmer's market at Central Park in Davis, which is about 13 miles West of Sacramento. It's absolutely worth the drive. There's a play area, and a fountain for the kids to play in during hot afternoons and evenings. There's music on Wednesday nights, and everybody's out with their blankets, kids and wine. Great local veggies, fruits, breads, flowers and even eggs. Local restaurants come out and serve food; there's a play structure, a merry-go-round and pony rides. Once you go, you'll probably keep going every week for years. We have...it's a great small-town atmosphere, and tons of fun for kids and adults.

3.) Cosumnes Wildlife Preserve - Pack a picnic and head out HWY 5 (South), to Cosumnes Preserve. See some amazing wetland birds. There's a little stream, a wooden walkway through the preserve, and even a science center geared toward little ones. A perfect place for a child (and an adult) to get out and explore preserved, untainted nature, dream and play in a safe and conveniently located place. Look for the turtle off the bridge. He usually hangs out on one of the flat rocks just below the bridge.

4.) Discovery Museum - a great science and history museum for kids. On Saturdays, there have free craft projects. There are also beautiful grounds with trails through giant oak trees. The have fabulous little learning/discovery shows about science and nature throughout the day. A really fun weekend activity. I believe there are also tables for a picnic.

5.) A day in the Sierra foothills - Visit one of the gold-mining towns. Hike. Go down into a mining cave, or just hang out in one of the old villages. (See my upcoming foothills blog entry).

6.) A day in Woodland - Catch a matinee at the Woodland Opera House, eat some amazing ribs at Ludy's, and stroll down Main Street. There are antique shops, a Western shop, a military surplus store, a wonderful local bakery (Timothy's), and the BEST toy store with the most friendly and knowledgeable owners, a bit down Main Street. Don't miss it! Woodland has become a quaint and immensely enjoyable town, please check it out; a lot has changed in the past ten years and you will be pleasantly surprised.

7.) Local Children's Theater - There is a TON of children's theater in the Sacramento vicinity. Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings are generally the shows for younger audiences. My daughter and I have hit each one numerous times, and they are really, really fun. And of course, they engage the child's imagination, are inexpensive, and offer an early taste of art and culture to your little one. Please see my upcoming blog entry regarding children's theater.

Texas West Bar-B-Que, 1600 Fulton Ave. (near Arden), Sacramento, 916-483-RIBS

WineGuy — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 01:16:58 +0000

From small hole-in-the-wall locations to large operations, there are numerous BBQ restaurants in Sacramento. Fortunately for all of us who enjoy a good BBQ meal, most of them are very good. Probably one of my favorites and truly a success is the Texas West Bar-B-Que. Texas West came to Sacramento in 1991 and is known for catering major events as well as its' restaurants.

Texas West has fast-style counter-service BBQ restaurants and a sit down location. The Fulton near Arden location is a counter service location, but unlike other counter service restaurants in Sacramento, Texas West Bar-B-Que has the customer service thing down. On my last visit, it was a Tuesday and the place was packed with lots of families, since two kids in each family eat free on Monday's and Tuesdays. Sacramento loves a good deal like that and Texas West was well prepared with almost as many staff as they had customers. Each staff member had their Texas West uniform of cowboy duds on and all were quick to ask if you needed something, answer questions or probably would have sat and ate with you if you asked. Hospitality was definitely the name of the game. Every employee had a HUGE smile on his or her face, something you won't see at any other fast food type establishment in Sacramento.

After multiple trips to Texas West Bar-B-Que at their locations in Roseville and Folsom (I like my BBQ), I have decided it is the Ribs that are the best item to order. The ribs come as Pork Spare Ribs (15.99) or Smoke Baby Back Ribs (17.99). The rib platters come with your choice of two sides. Sides include Fresh-cut Home-style Fries, Texas Toast, BBQ Beans as well as Potato, Coleslaw, Green or Macaroni Salad. Both styles of ribs are wonderful and you are definitely full when you finish. Fortunately my wife has accompanied me most times, so we can actually split a rib platter. Last Tuesday amongst the barrage of Sacramento families there for Kids eat free Tuesday, my wife and I tried the Pork Po Boy (7.49) and the Tri-tip Sandwich (8.49). Both were served with your choice of one side. Both were tender with plenty of meat. The Tri-tip was especially tender and really needed very little of the Texas West sauce to enjoy the smoky flavor.

Needless to say there is a kid's menu as well as cobbler and pies for dessert. Texas West Bar-B-Que serves Beer and Wine as well as soft drinks. Texas West is open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and till 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Owner Dino Vergolini (Mr. BBQ), can be very proud of the hospitality he has brought to Sacramento. I only hope, other restaurateurs throughout Sacramento come in and see what can be done to make people feel welcome and employees look happy to be at work.