Things to Do in East Sacramento

East Sacramento is the jewel of Sacramento County and unarguably one of the city’s finest enclaves. Located east of downtown and midtown, the area personifies urban beauty, as it consists of immaculate, tree-canopied streets bordered by breathtaking historic homes. Aside from the undeniably gorgeous homes in East Sacramento (most evident in the Fabulous Forties neighborhood), there is so much to do in this area.

Whether you are a current resident, soon-to-be resident or simply a visitor, take a look at the events, restaurants, parks and attractions worth visiting in East Sacramento.

Start with a Cup of Coffee

Every neighborhood needs a good local coffee shop, and thankfully, East Sacramento has a few — one of which is particularly noteworthy.

Photo Courtesy of Ryan Donahue via Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters

Start your day at Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters, an artisanal roastery and coffee house with outdoor seating, espresso drinks, tea, small bites, and of course, delicious coffee. They roast small batches to ensure the freshest possible coffee while maintaining the intrinsic flavors within the fruit. Grab a small breakfast and some caffeine fuel to start your day in East Sacramento on the right foot!

Get a Bite to Eat

There are plenty of diverse and delicious eateries in East Sacramento, ranging from casual cafes to fine dining establishments. Take a break from the activity of the day with a fresh and flavorful meal at one of the following local restaurants.

Selland’s Market Cafe

The Selland Family Restaurant manages an impressive lineup of Sacramento area restaurants, including The Kitchen, Ella Dining Room & Bar and OBO’ Italian Table & Bar, another East Sac eatery. Their diligence to incorporating farm-fresh ingredients within creative plates transcends all the way from the fancy experience at the Kitchen located downtown to the casual cafe setting of Sellands’ Market Cafe in East Sacramento. Locals and visitors alike are raving about the bakery items and the cafe menu, featuring wood-fired pizzas, cold and warm sandwiches, entrees, salads, and more.

33rd Street Bistro

33rd Street Bistro has been an East Sacramento favorite since 1995. This elegant yet comfortable restaurant serves a fresh and exciting menu — whether you’re there for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Plus, don’t miss their happy hour seven days a week from 3–6 p.m.!

Formoli’s Bistro

Keep things simple at Formoli’s Bistro, a creative eatery run by a husband-and-wife team who are both Sacramento natives. Their 10-table restaurant has a small menu covering the basics of simple yet not understated food, with a focus on sandwiches, burgers, pizza, pasta and salads. Their eclectic menu draws inspiration from France, Spain and Italy, using ingredients from local California farmers.

OneSpeed Pizza

Everyone needs a good go-to pizza joint in town, and East Sacramento has that in OneSpeed Pizza. Their open kitchen delivers delicious pies crafted with fresh, local ingredients. Stop by for lunch and dinner to sample their creations, from antipasti to pizza.

Spend the Afternoon at McKinley Park

Truth be told, you could ignore everything else we’ve mentioned and spend an entire day at McKinley Park. This major 32-acre park is home to the Clunie Community Center, which hosts a number of community events and a branch of the Sacramento Library.

The park also hosts the McKinley Rose Garden, a small lake, a playground, community pool, several horseshoe pits, baseball fields, soccer fields and tennis courts. This is also a popular area for runners and walkers who travel along paved trails, and yoga lovers to enjoy a free Saturday morning class behind the rose garden. McKinley Park is the main gathering place for East Sacramento residents to enjoy outdoor recreation, community events, and simply letting the little ones let out some energy.

Admire the Fabulous Forties

One of the most notable features of East Sacramento is in fact its real estate (which is something we’re quite fond of). Between the borders of J Street, Folsom Boulevard, 38th and 47th Streets, you will find the Fabulous Forties neighborhood, filled with wide avenues lined with canopies of trees, and picturesque pre-World War II homes on larger lots. These stunning homes have housed some prominent residents, including Ronald and Nancy Reagan.

Home styles include European revivals, bungalows, craftsman, Spanish, Tudor and ranch, ranging from quaint storybook to posh grandeur. Every year, residents in the Fabulous Forties neighborhood open their homes for the Sacred Heart Parish School Holiday Tour, where visitors may take a self-guided tour through five magnificent homes decked out for the holidays.

See a Concert

Photo Courtesy of Steve Harriman via Pops in the Park

Throughout the month of June, don’t miss Pops in the Park, an annual event concert series at McKinley Park. Every Saturday from 6–9 p.m., the community gathers for this free and fun evening of music in the warm summer nights of June.

Grab a Drink

After all this activity, you may want to wind down with a drink at a local brewery or bar. East Sacramento is home to a number of watering holes, including…

Hoppy Brewing Company — Indoor/outdoor brewpub with seven regular craft beers on tap and two monthly rotating brewer’s specials

Twelve Rounds Brewing Company — New microbrewery serving award-winning brews in an industrial atmosphere

Photo Courtesy of Sactown Union Brewery

Sactown Union Brewery — Dog-friendly brewery open every day with creative brews, a weekly trivia night, daily food trucks, and weekly live music

Cabana Winery and Bistro — Urban winery producing award-winning wines from Napa and Lodi with a tasting room and bistro

Limelight Bar & Cafe — East Sacramento landmark with a full bar, local wines and rotating local beers on tap

Make Yourself at Home

If you like your visit to East Sacramento enough, you may want to stay a little longer. As mentioned, East Sacramento is popular for its amazing homes and pristine neighborhoods. This area is also desirable for its central highway location and proximity to Midtown and downtown just minutes away. This is a highly connected community, where residents know their neighbors, participate in community events, and enjoy the abovementioned attractions and more.

What do you love about East Sacramento?

We’d love to know your favorite activity, hot spot or feature of this amazing community.