Living in Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of California and has a population of roughly
458,000. The greater Sacramento area is the 4th largest in the state with a
population of about 2.5 million. As the state’s capital, government is one
of the largest local employers, but Sacramento has a wide variety of other
employers, including professional and financial services, trade, utilities,
transportation, construction, and manufacturing.
The city is located at the confluence of two major rivers-the north/south
running Sacramento River and the east/west running American River. These
rivers, as well as Sacramento’s proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountain
range-roughly one hour east of Sacramento by car-provide numerous opportunities
for sport and outdoor activities. These include running and cycling on the
extensive bikeways on the American River; canoeing, fishing, boating, and
kayaking on the rivers; skiing and other winter sports in the Sierras; and
hiking, backpacking, and camping in the nearby wilderness.
The city itself has a very active social scene, including a superb array of
restaurants of all varieties. In addition, the proximity to the Oakland/San
Francisco Bay Area-roughly 75 miles to the west-provides easy access to the
cultural and culinary opportunities available there.
Sacramento has a pleasant, temperate climate most months, with the exception of
the mid-summer months which can be hot (in the 90s and 100s). But, as residents
say, “it’s a dry heat,” meaning humidity is rarely a factor. Sacramento is
well-known for its trees, parks, and older neighborhoods. A national magazine
recently described Sacramento as America’s most diverse city.