Fun things to do in Sacramento

I don't know if you guys are familiar with the term 'best fans in the NBA' and that is probably because the people from your town aren't (gratuitous neener neener neener)but in order to experience them with all of their whooping and hollering at decimal levels hereforto unprecidented, you will have to attend a Sacramento Kings' basketball game. They are an absolute blast, but I would recommend buying your tickets online prior to the game because the best fans in the NBA tend to sell out their home games.
Um, ya....I'm not sure if you're aware that Sacramento has the best fans in the NBA.

The Governor's Mansion can be visited and has furnishings and personal items of former California governors. The last governor who actually lived in the Mansion was former President Reagan. He and his family moved out of the mansion because Nancy Reagan was afraid that the mansion would not be safe during an earthquake.

Cultural Tips: These tips are for non-US residents...
California statewide sales tax is 7.75% on all goods except food items. It is not included in the prices listed on merchandise but will be added at the cash register.
Tips in restaurants are not included and you are free to leave whatever you want. Usually you leave between 12 and 15%. In a more expensive restaurant or if the service is exceptional you may leave 20% of the bill.
Remember that in the US one can take left-overs in a box. It's perfectly appropriate and many waiters will suggest it. If they don't offer, ask for a box (nobody says 'doggy bag' anymore).

The Sacramento Bike Trail covers 30 miles from Old Sacramento to Folsom dam. It follows the river and is a great place for picnicking, swimming and fishing. The river is popular for rafting, kayaking and canoeing. Bicycles can be rented at various hotels or in Old Sacramento

The Firehouse Restaurant building in Old Sacramento was built in 1853. This restaurant serves wonderful food and has a nice shady patio for outdoor dining. Here is a sample of their dessert menu:



Frozen Lemon Grand Marnier Soufflé with wild field berries, strawberry coulis
Citrus Chèvre Cheesecake with pistachio nut crust, Bosc pear poached in Cointreau

Flourless Valrhona Chocolate Sin with Crown Royal bourbon, candied pecans and burnt bananas, served with chocolate sauce and spiced tuile

Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée with white chocolate macadamia nut cookie and candied nuts

Valrhona Chocolate Mousse Cake with raspberry cream, fresh raspberries and vanilla crème anglaise

Shopping
The Arden Fair Mall has been referred to as the ultimate walk-in closet. This mall has all the major department stores like Macy's, Nordstrom, JC Penny, and Sears as well as 165 specialty shops and a number of eateries. The Downtown Plaza is a two-level, sunlit extravaganza of fine shops including Ann Taylor, Guess, Banana Republic and Crabtree & Evelyn. In the Downtown Plaza you can also find Hard Rock Cafe, United Artists Theaters and the River City Brewing Company.
If you're tired of the mall scene you can stroll along the original boardwalks of Historic Old Sacramento, home to 124 shops, restaurants and museums along the waterfront.

Sites to See:

Tour the State Capitol. Guided tours are offered daily between 9am and 5pm. Visit the California State Railroad Museum, the largest museum of its kind in North America with 21 restored locomotives and 46 exhibits.

Visit the Towe Auto Museum displaying exhibits of American automobiles through the decades.

The Crocker Art Museum is Sacramento's most extensive exhibit of 19th and 20th-century California art, Master drawings, Asian art, and European art.

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park is located just 10 blocks from the Amber House. Take a self-guided audio tour of Sacramento's earliest settlement, then enjoy a picnic lunch in the park surrounding the fort.

Sacramento King's - Sacramento's own NBA Kings made it to the Playoffs in 96, what awaits the Kings this season?

Outdoor Activities:
The American River Bicycle trails are 23 miles of scenic trails winding along the American River from Old Sacramento to Folsom. This parkway is unlimited in it's recreation scope-perfect for hiking, strolling, picnicking, fishing and bird-watching.

If this is a little too slow for you try whitewater rafting along the American river. There are a number of different places to rent rafts and take guided or self-guided trips down the river.

Surrounding Areas:
Sacramento is just an hour away from the scenic Napa wine country, and forty-five minutes from the Amador wine country. In just ninety minutes you can be in San Francisco or if you're traveling from the bay area, Amber House is the perfect stop-over on the way to Lake Tahoe. In just 90 minutes you can be enjoying some of the finest skiing in the entire country or living it up in world-class casinos. Yosemite National Park is just a 3 hour drive from Sacramento.

If you are in Sacramento you must go to Old Town Sacramento. Ride the fairy boat. Eat luch at Fannie Anne's. Dinner at California Fats and enjoy the shopping.
Cobblestone streets and boardwalks. Horse Carraige rides. Train Museum. Sacramento History.
Jazz festival.

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A Swiss immigant set up this trading fort in 1839 and was very successful until paradoxically the Califronia gold rush that brought so much wealth to this part of California ruined Sutter.