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Subject: Sacramento, California USENET FAQ Part 4 of 6
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          The Sacramento, California USENET FAQ Part 4 of 6
       Frequently Asked Questions about Sacramento, California
                      (c) Copyright 1995 & 1996

                                  by

                        David F. Prenatt, Jr.
                        Internet Esquire(sm)
                           P.O. Box 74632
                        Davis, CA 95617-5632

               <http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/~netesq/ >

                  <mailto:[email protected] >


The Sacramento, California USENET FAQ (Sacramento USENET FAQ) may be
comprised of more than one part.  If it is, please see the TABLE OF
CONTENTS in Part One for a complete list of the questions that I have
attempted to answer and for other important legal information.  Caveat
emptor:  I assume no obligation for anyone through the publication of the
Sacramento USENET FAQ.  Furthermore, all versions of the Sacramento USENET
FAQ are my personal property and are protected by applicable copyright
laws.  All rights are reserved except as follows:  I hereby give my
permission to anyone who has access to this version of the Sacramento
USENET FAQ to reproduce the information contained herein for non-profit
purposes, provided that proper credit is given to me as the author of this
FAQ and that I am notified of any use other than personal use.  Permission
to reproduce any version of this FAQ may be revoked by me at any time.

- - - - -
              The Sacramento, California USENET FAQ Part 4 of 6
           Frequently Asked Questions about Sacramento, California
              (c) Copyright 1995 & 1996 by David F. Prenatt, Jr.


5)  RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT IN SACRAMENTO.

    Readers with a web browser may wish to visit the following URLs:

         What to See in Sacramento
         <http://banzai.neosoft.com/citylink/sacramento/sacsee.html >

         What to Do in Sacramento
         <http://banzai.neosoft.com/citylink/sacramento/sacdo.html >


5.1)  What kinds of recreation and entertainment are there in Sacramento?
     [Rev]

    In addition to the downtown attractions described in Section 2.5,
    Sacramento has all types of recreation and entertainment that a major
    metropolitan city has to offer:  Every kind of restaurant that you
    could imagine and everything from nightclubs to ballet, outdoor
    recreation to museums.  The museums in Sacramento are very rich in
    local history, and local art galleries host the Second Saturday
    ArtWalk (<http://www.quiknet.com/~mcox/2ndsat.html >), and nearby
    Folsom Lake provides boating and campgrounds.

5.2)  What kinds of restaurants are there in Sacramento? [Rev]

    This is a question which deserves its own FAQ, but I have listed a few
    of the restaurants that I frequent and enjoy as well as those that
    seem to have a strong following on the Sacramento USENET.  Readers
    with a web browser may also visit the following URLs:

         Where to Eat in Sacramento
         <http://banzai.neosoft.com/citylink/sacramento/saceat.html >

         The Ultimate Restaurant Guide
         <http://www.bizline.com/restaurants/area/ >


5.2.1)  Personal Favorites. [Rev]

    Sacramento has a number of fine restaurants.  The restaurants that I
    have listed in this section cover an eclectic spectrum of my personal
    favorites:

         *    La Boulangerie (916)443-7977:  Commonly known as La Bou.  I
              discovered this bakery and cafe when I appeared in federal
              court about two blocks away and needed to get my parking
              validated for the Downtown Mall.  I purchased a two-for-one
              iced mocha during Espresso Happy Hour and reviewed one of
              the to-go menus later.  Healthy repasts on the menu include
              soups, salads, sandwiches, croissants, etc.  In other words,
              your basic coffee house.  Apparently, La Bou has almost two
              dozen locations in the Sacramento area; four downtown.
              -Downtown Mall and other locations.

         *    California Fats (916)441-7966:  Easily confused with Fat
              City, which is next door, California Fats is my personal
              favorite.  However, the booths (for parties of four or less)
              can make you somewhat claustrophobic.  Reservations are
              absolutely, positively required.
              -1015 Front St, Old Sacramento, 95814

         *    Danielle's (916)972-1911: My favorite restaurant for
              breakfast/brunch in Sacramento.  Excellent crepes and
              sensational service.
              -Fulton Ave and Marconi, Sacramento, 95821

         *    Fanny Annies (916)441-0505:  Short order menu and full bar.
              Atmosphere, atmosphere, and more atmosphere.  There are
              several stories of wood stairs and booths, and each story is
              long and narrow.  Carving your name into the furniture is
              encouraged and is not considered vandalism.
              -1023 Second St, Old Sacramento, 95814

         *    Max's Opera Cafe (916)927-MAXS:  Max's prides itself on
              outstanding service.  In fact, your table will receive a
              free round of drinks if your food server asks the highly
              irrelevant question, "Is everything all right?"
              -1735 Arden Way #200, (Arden Fair Mall) Sacramento, 95815

         *    Rio City Cafe (916)442-8226:  A classy restaurant on the
              banks of the Sacramento River.  I found this gem when I was
              turned away from California Fats for want of a reservation.
              -1110 Front St, Old Sacramento, 95814

         *    River City Brewing Company (916)447-BREW:  Specialty beers
              are brewed on the premises and the menu is filled with some
              of the most creative, yet simple and appetizing dishes that
              I have ever eaten at such a reasonable price.  A great place
              to eat if you need validation for parking at the Downtown
              Plaza Mall.
              -545 Downtown Plaza, Sacramento, CA 95814

         *    The Tower Cafe (916)441-0222:  A local landmark visible from
              miles away.  The original location of the first Tower
              Records at the Tower Theatre, now with a separate cafe,
              liquor store, video store, movie theatre, and record store
              clumped at the intersection of 16th & Broadway.  I suspect
              that the Tower is a name derived from the Tower Drawbridge
              that spans the Sacramento River.
              -1518 Broadway (at Land Park), Sacramento, CA 95818

         *    Zelda's (916)447-1400:  The hands down winner of the
              Sacramento USENET for pizza.  However, even those who
              endorse Zelda's warn that its specialty is a deep dish pizza
              that not everyone will enjoy.  You have been warned!
              -1415 21st St, Sacramento, CA 95814

5.2.2)  Recommendations from the Sacramento USENET.

    On October 18, 1994, Scott Lay posted a recommendation on ucd.life
    (<news:ucd.life >) for "a great Thai restaurant called Amarin in
    downtown Sacramento (about 20 minutes away [from Davis]).  It is
    located on the corner of I Street and 12th Street."  Message-ID:
    <[email protected]>. And on April 9, 1995, Mr. Lay posted a
    followup recommendation in response to William H. Taylor:

         William H. Taylor ([email protected]) wrote:
         : : : > Can anyone give me their opinion on the best Thai
         : : : > food in Sacramento?  I know only one place, on Howe
         : : : > near Arden.  It is good, but I am looking for more,
         : : : > and perhaps better.  If anyone knows of restaurants
         : : : > with Hmong style dishes, I would like to know about
         : : : >that too.

         Hmmmm....there is also one on Fulton west of Arden....about
         three miles down, I believe.  Thai Cottage 'tis the name...
         Great atmosphere, okay food.

         Amarin on 12th/I downtown isn't bad.  Descent walk for
         downtown lunchers.  Lemon Grass is another descent downtown
         place...9th betw J and I.  In the library building...  Not
         the best food in the world, but Thai, and close to the
         Capitol...

    Message-ID: <[email protected]>.

         On August 17, 1995, Larry Hiner posted a recommendation for
    Chinese food (Message-ID: <[email protected]>):

         A 15 minute drive south down 99 will take you to Hunan
         Gardens in Elk Grove (East on Elk Grove Blvd, north into
         Lucky's shopping center -- Hunan is on West end of center
         near Jaspers).  Family owned and run -- highly recommended!
         (by me, that is.)

    On the same date, Michael J. Reeves posted his recommendation on the
    same newsgroup (Message-ID: <[email protected]>):

         If you go out the FRONT gate [of Sac State] past the
         Presbyterian church about 2-4 blocks on the left is a small
         commercial center. You'll find the Silver Chopstick
         Restaurant in there. I have personally enjoyed the food
         there several times.

    Turnando Fuad also offered his recommendation on the same day and
    newsgroup (Message-ID: <[email protected]>):

         Try New Canton on Broadway across from the DMV for authentic
         Chinese cuisine.

         The New Station about a mile down also has great food. They
         have a special for $18.50 and that includes 5 dishes plus
         dessert.

    Ryan Seo's recommendation on August 18, 1995 on the same newsgroup
    (Message-ID: <[email protected]>):  "Try Frank Fat @ downtown
    sacto.  Expensive but excellent."  [Editor's note: Frank Fat's is
    located at 806 L St, 95814, (916)442-7092.]  And finally, Susan Hattie
    Steinsapir, gave her recommendation on August 18, 1995 (Message-ID:
    <[email protected]>):

         Give up on Chinese and try Vietnamese.  Try these:

         1.  Viet Ha - tremendous menu, low prices, great eats.  Two
         places:  one on Florin at Stockton Blvd., just east of the
         intersection.  New place at, hell, it's hard to describe.
         It's on Folsom, tucked behind Paradise Ice Cream just east
         of Coloma (I think).  Their salad rolls are divine.

         2.  Andy Ngyugen's - low prices, great food.  I go to the
         one on Broadway and 19th Streets, near the check cashing
         place.  They also have a place out in Rancho Cordova.

         3.  New Paris Cafe - great pho (beef with rice noodle soup).
         They're on Stockton Blvd.  We used to eat there all of the
         time.  Then, we started expanding.

    On a related note, Sacramento offers a selection of dim sum, a
    particular type of Chinese food.  J. Peerson's recommendations on
    August 22, 1995 (Message-ID: <[email protected]>):

         * King's in West Sacramento on West Capitol around Jefferson

         * Dragon Haven on Broadway about a block away from Tower Theatre

         * Rice Bowl on Florin at 24th Street.

    And on the same date, the aforementioned Susan Hattie Steinsapir
    (Message-ID: <[email protected]>):

         There's Wong's Islander out at the Lanai Shopping Center on
         Freeport near 34th Avenue (near the old airport).  I don't
         know if they serve dim sum during the week; they have it on
         weekends (have eaten there then)..


5.3)  What kinds of landmarks and museums are there in Sacramento?

    Sacramento is rich with historical landmarks and museums.  The lists
    in the sections below are far from exhaustive.

5.3.1)  Old Sacramento.

    For more information on Old Sacramento landmarks and museums, readers
    with a web browser may visit the Old Sacramento Home Page on the World
    Wide Web <http://www.pageweavers.com/old_sacramento.html >).

         *    B.F. Hastings Building (916)445-4209.
              [Corner of 2nd St and J St in Old Sac]

         *    California Military Museum (916)442-2883
              1119 2nd St, Old Sacramento, 95814

         *    California State Railroad Museum
              (916)552-5252 x7245; 445-7387
              125 "I" St, Old Sacramento, 95814

         *    Discovery Museum (916)264-7057; FAX (916)7264-5100
              101 "I" St, Old Sacramento, 95814

         *    Central Pacific Passenger and Depot Station (916)448-4466
              111 "I" St, Old Sacramento, 95814

         *    Wells Fargo Museum (916)440-4263
              1000 2nd St, Old Sacramento, 95814


5.3.2)  Other Museums and Landmarks.

         *    California Vietnam Veterans Memorial
              [At the State Capital Grounds]

         *    Crocker Art Museum (916)264-5423
              216 "O" St, Sacramento, 95814

         *    Governor's Mansion (916)323-3047
              1526 H St

         *    Leland Stanford Mansion
              8th and N St

         *    McClellan Aviation Museum (916)643-3192
              3204 Palm Ave, North Highlands, 95660

         *    Port of Sacramento.

         *    Sacramento Delta.

         *    Sacramento History Museum.

         *    State Library.

         *    California State Indian Museum (916)324-0971
              2618 K St, Sacramento, 95816

         *    Sutter's Fort (916)445-4422
              2701 L St, Sacramento, 95816

         *    Towe Ford Museum (916)442-6802
              2200 Front St, Sacramento, 95818

         *    Wells Fargo Museum (916)440-4161
              400 Capital Mall, 95814


5.4)  What kind of cultural activities are there in Sacramento? [Rev]

    Notwithstanding the outstanding museums and art collections in
    Sacramento and cultural activities such as the Second Saturday ArtWalk
    (<http://www.quiknet.com/~mcox/2ndsat.html>), the performing arts in
    Sacramento are somewhat provincial in comparison to those that can be
    found in the nearby San Francisco Bay Area.  San Francisco's
    population simply makes a greater commitment to supporting the arts
    than do the residents of Sacramento.  Even so, Sacramento does have a
    symphony orchestra (entering its 83rd season) as well as ballet,
    opera, and live theatre companies for local afficionados; Broadway
    shows eventually make their way to Sacramento for the local
    dilettantes.

5.5)  What kind of sporting events are there in the Sacramento Area? [Rev]

    Sacramento has two professional sports teams:  The Sacramento Kings
    NBA franchise and the Sacramento Knights soccer team (notwithstanding
    the Sacramento Gold Miners of the Canadian Football League); local
    sports fans also patronize professional sports teams in the Bay Area.

         *    For more information about the Sacramento Kings Basketball
              team, see the newsgroup alt.sports.basketball.nba.sac-kings
              (<news:alt.sports.basketball.nba.sac-kings >).  Readers with
              a web browser may visit the Sacramento Kings Home Page on
              the World Wide Web
              (<http://www.nando.net/sports/bkb/1994/nba/home/sac.html >).

         *    For more information on the Sacramento Knights, readers with
              a web browser may visit the Sacramento Knights Home Page on
              the World Wide Web
              (<http://www.ns.net/users/srser1/knights.html >).

         *    For more information regarding Bay Area sports teams, see
              ba.sports (<news:ba.sports >).

    Recently, the City of Sacramento has announced its intention to build
    a major league baseball park near downtown Sacramento.  Public
    reaction to these plans has been mixed.

5.6)  Are there any other special events that take place in Sacramento?
     [Rev]

    Among the many events that take place at California Exposition
    Fairgrounds (Cal Expo) is the California State Fair that takes place
    every summer -- Just ask Chuckie!  (See Section 10.2.4 for more
    information on Chuckie.)  For more information on the State Fair,
    visit the California State Fair Home Page on the World Wide Web
    (<http://bigfun.org/ >).  During the month of May, the Annual Jazz
    Jubilee takes over most of Sacramento (<http://sacjazz.com/ >)

5.7)  What other local attractions are there in Sacramento?

    There's a lot to do in Sacramento.  The sections below describing
    various local attractions is far from exhaustive.

         *    Delta and Bay Cruises.

         *    The Paddlewheeler.

         *    William Land Park (Sacramento Zoo).

         *    Waterworld U.S.A.


5.7.1)  Guinness Stout and Other Things Irish.

    One of the more curious foci of interest for Sacramento residents is
    Guinness Stout Beer and other things Irish.  Many recommendations for
    places to drink Guinness have been offered on the Sacramento USENET;
    readers with a web browser may visit Richard Hackwith's World Wide Web
    Page of Irish links (<http://www.calweb.com/~rph/irish.html >).

         *    From Dave Edmiston (<mailto:[email protected] >):
              After going to the home of this wonderful beer last month, I
              have morphed into a Guiness-loving sybarite. I would love to
              know the places in the Greater Sacramento where someone
              could partake of this wonderful brew. . . I would guess that
              the Fox and Goose probably has it.
              (Message-ID: <[email protected]>)

         *    From Ann Silberman (<mailto:[email protected] >):
              Gilhooley's Irish Pub on 7th and O in the Capitol Towers
              apartment complex has it as well.
              (Message-ID: <[email protected]>)

         *    From Andrew A. Alexis (<mailto:[email protected] >):
              . . .[O]n J Street is Bon Lair.  Gallaghers Bar and Grill,
              on the corner of 51st and Folsom, also has it.  They have
              Irish music on Saturday nights.
              (Message-ID: <[email protected]>)

         *    From Scott D. Thompson (<mailto:[email protected] >):
              Across from Gallaghers is Socal's, serving 'the mother of
              all stouts' all day every day.
              (Message-ID: <[email protected]>)

         *    From John Kinsella (<mailto:[email protected] >):
              The juice of the Gods can . . . be found on tap at TGI
              Fridays and Yager's(sp?) in Folsom.
              (Message-ID: <[email protected]>)

         *    From Chris Morgan (<mailto:[email protected] >):
              Rascals Pub In Rancho Cordova used to have it on tap....
              Give it a try. They are off of Folsom Blvd near Bradshaw on
              Horn Rd.
              (Message-ID: <[email protected]>)


5.7.2)  [Miscellaneous sections currently under construction.]

5.8)  The Geography of Sacramento. [Rev]

    Having sojourned in many California communities for months at a time,
    I would have to say that the most distinctive feature of Sacramento
    geography is its still evolving business architecture.  While many
    business establishments are housed in newer buildings that are
    obviously commercial in nature (especially in the more recently
    developed downtown area), the vast majority of small businesses in the
    Greater Sacramento Area use older buildings and blend into the
    neighborhood communities that they serve.  Strip malls are quite
    uncommon; a small marquee over a store's door is often the only
    indication that a commercial building even contains a retail
    establishment.
         Many older private homes have been converted into storefront
    operations.  The relative antiquity of the buildings that house
    business establishments (along with their typically residential
    location) comes with a price tag.  There is very little free parking
    during business hours anywhere in Sacramento, and most parking is
    limited to two hours or less.  For this reason, I tend to use public
    transportation to get around Sacramento during the day.
         The physical geography of Sacramento is flat grassland, subject
    to seasonal flooding.  Unlike the nearby San Francisco Bay Area,
    Sacramento is seismically quiet.  This is one of the main reasons that
    Sacramento is becoming more and more attractive to high tech
    industries from the South Bay, earning the nickname Silicon Valley
    East.

5.9)  Sacramento Weather. [New]

    I have received quite a few inquiries from potential Sacramento
    residents about the weather in Sacramento, asking me whether it is
    more like the arid Central Valley or the foggy Bay Area.  The weather
    in Sacramento is somewhat sunny, mild, and humid, even though it often
    reaches well over 100 degrees in the summer and is subject to heavy
    seasonal rains.  For information on current Sacramento weather
    conditions, visit Steve Green's Sacramento Weather Page on the World
    Wide Web (<http://www.ns.net/~sgreen/whtrfrm.html >), with all the
    radar, satellite pictures, and forecasts, and without someone standing
    in the way making dumb jokes ;->

- - - - -

End Document:

          The Sacramento, California USENET FAQ Part 4 of 6
       Frequently Asked Questions about Sacramento, California
                      (c) Copyright 1995 & 1996

                                  by

                         David F. Prenatt, Jr.
                        Internet Esquire(sm)
                           P.O. Box 74632
                        Davis, CA 95617-5632

                <http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/~netesq/ >

                   <mailto:[email protected] >

Link to next document:

<http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/~netesq/USENET-FAQs/sac/part5.html >

- - - - -