Triple digit temperatures may not immediately spring to mind as conducive to a romantic getaway. For couples who have always wanted to see California’s capital city, however, summer is probably the best time to enjoy what Sacramento has to offer. Situated in northern California at the confluence of two rivers, it’s not only a place to find cozy restaurants and good entertainment but to step back in time amidst the Victorian neighborhoods of midtown and the lazy pace of an overnight stay aboard a genuine riverboat.
OLD SACRAMENTO
It was the Gold Rush of 1849 that first brought settlers to the area. When the gold ran out and the banks of the waterfront community flooded into a muddy mess, a lot of the original hotels and storefronts that comprised “old town” fell into disrepair. During the American Bicentennial, however, developers discovered their own gold mine in prime real estate that could be turned into a trendy attraction. Today, Old Sacramento is a venue of restored buildings, upscale restaurants, bars and comedy clubs, and shops that cater to every interest and tourist budget. During the summer, the cobblestone streets also echo with the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages, the perfect ending to a meal at one of the area’s most romantic hideaway restaurants, The Firehouse. And although there’s no shortage of hotels in the city, why not catch your forty winks aboard the Delta King, a magnificent white paddle-wheeler berthed at the Old Sacramento waterfront. Sightseeing cruises and water taxis are also available during the day; with the latter making their stops at a number of eateries that offer outdoor seating and cool breezes off the river. Speaking of staying cool, the American River is a popular place to find wet and wild river-rafters.
ALL THAT JAZZ
It may be hard to find a parking place on Memorial Day weekend but you won’t have any problem finding hot jazz and cold drinks. Every May, Sacramento plays host to the annual Jazz Jubilee, featuring jazz musicians who literally come from all over the world to play music well into the summer nights. Book your accommodations far in advance if you plan to attend. The month of May is also when you’ll find the Sacramento County Fair—a bad time and place to start a diet! California produces a large percentage of the agricultural products that feed the rest of the planet, a fact you’ll appreciate after you come away from a day of seeing exhibits and sampling California-grown products. The city’s nickname, by the way, is the Almond Capital of the World.
PERFORMING ARTS
Although they don’t get as much attention as those in San Francisco, Sacramento has its own symphony, ballet, opera company, and theaters. The summer best, however, is the Music Circus, a summer stock production company that brings in touring shows of Broadway musicals and revivals. In earlier days, the performances were held in an actual tent that was temporarily erected on H Street. Considering that it generally took until almost 10 in the evening for the day’s heat to eventually dissipate, the patrons could almost always be seen fanning themselves with their programs to keep cool. (Pity those poor actors in costume and makeup under the tent’s bright lights!) The canvas tent flaps were also not enough to keep out street noise (such as sirens) or occasional bats that flapped their way in and then got too disoriented to find their way back out. Today, Music Circus is now housed in a sleek, state of the art center that stays cool from the first song until the last. After the final curtain calls, head over to Rick’s Dessert Diner for something decadent in chocolate; they keep late hours to accommodate the after-theater crowd.
BREW PUBS AND COFFEE HOUSES
It didn’t take long for microbreweries to catch on in Sacramento, nor sidewalk coffee cafes. While some of it is owing to the number of college students and yuppies who call the capital home, it says a lot about the laid-back lifestyle that many people just enjoy sipping something cold or hot and just watching the world go by at a snail’s pace.
ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS
Bring your appetite (and your credit cards) to experience Sacramento’s diversity of ethnic and continental cuisine. For lovers of Italian food, you can’t go wrong at Biba (2801 Capitol Avenue), named for its owner who has authored a number of cookbooks about her homeland. Spanish tapas are the bill of fare at the lively Aioli on the corner of 18th and L Streets; reservations are recommended if you are planning to go on a Friday or Saturday night. In the mood for Caribbean? Try Celestin’s at 2516 J Street. In neighboring Fair Oaks (a suburb of Sacramento), Slocum House on 7992 California Avenue has been the scene of many a marriage proposal or wedding anniversary.
JUST A WALK IN THE PARK
Sacramento has over a hundred parks for a leisurely stroll. The prettiest, of course, is William Land Park, home to the Sacramento Zoo. There are plenty of shady spots for picnics, too. Fill up your basket at David Berkeley’s in the Pavillions plaza on Fair Oaks Boulevard with a variety of meats, cheeses, crackers or, if you’re really lazy, have them make you a couple of specialty sandwiches to take with you. Oh, and don’t forget a slab of their world-famous chocolate cake. You’ll probably have to eat that first so the frosting doesn’t melt! For bicycling enthusiasts, rent yourself some wheels and enjoy the beauty of the American River Parkway, Paradise Beach or the Jedediah Smith Memorial Bicycle Trail. Looking for a special place to renew your vows? Try the McKinley Park Rose Garden. Just make sure you contact City Hall first and get a permit if you’re planning to invite a crowd to join you.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME
In addition to the Sacramento Kings, Sacramento also has its own minor league baseball team, the RiverCats. Be sure to wear a cap and slather on sunscreen, though—it gets a tad toasty in the stands at Raley Field.
BED AND BREAKFAST INNS
The area known as midtown is where you’ll find a number of B&B’s in charming Victorian houses. All of them come with full breakfasts which can either be enjoyed in the main dining room, in the privacy of your own room, or out on the patios and balconies. Certainly the two most elegant places for a romantic getaway are the Sterling Hotel at 1300 H Street and Vizcaya at 2019 21st Street. Several rooms in both of these offer Jacuzzis, spectacular furnishings, and they are within walking distance of the State Capitol and the Convention Center. The Sterling Hotel also has its own elegant restaurant on the premises, Chanterelle. Not surprisingly, of course, the summer months are both inns’ most popular time for bridal parties. It’s not unusual to book stays as much as a year in advance.
