Have you ever been to Sacramento? We focused on two areas, downtown and midtown Sacramento. You can read all about downtown in our post Downtown Sacramento: The Best Things To Do in The Capital City.
Midtown Sacramento is the creative little sister to Sacramento’s Downtown District. Most definitely it is the center of Sacramento’s art, music, and cultural scene. Boutiques, bars, theatre, upscale and casual dining restaurants abound.
If you’re planning a visit, Midtown Sacramento is a must!
**Disclaimer**
The businesses and events highlighted are in no way a “Best Of…” list. They are simply places and activities our Savvy Cali Girl contributors have deemed worthy of a shout out. If you want us to tell our readers about your favorite place, tag us with #scgplacestogo and we’ll catch you next time we come through town!
Getting Around Midtown Sacramento
Now, you may not be aware that Midtown is known for being pedestrian-friendly and bike-friendly. There are continuously marked bike-lanes throughout the neighborhood. In addition, public transit consists of the Sacramento Regional Transit District. The light-rail lines run down R Street connect the neighborhood to the metropolitan area. Bus lines serve the central city area. Click here to plan your trip.
Savvy Tip: The Midtown Farmers Market happens year-round on Saturdays from 9-1. Midtown also hosts an art walk on the second Saturday of each month which attracts thousands of metropolitan residents. Plan ahead to visit on a Saturday!
Morning Coffee and Treats in Midtown Sacramento
Morning Mojo – Temple Coffee
Have you heard about Sacramento’s legendary Farm to Table food movement? Well, Temple Coffee is leading the way in the Farm to Cup coffee movement. Hence, Temple Coffee’s sustainable coffee sourcing program perfectly complements their mission.
Beyond the vision, Temple Coffee is good vibes, great service, and exceptional coffee. Start your morning at one of Temple Coffee’s six Sacramento locations.
Where To Go & What To Order
If you follow our itinerary, stop by the 22nd and K Street location. This particular location is Temple’s largest. It was originally built in the 1880s and is beautifully restored. We loved the gorgeous penny floor that was created using over 500,000 hand-laid pennies!
The Matcha Latte (pictured) is AMAZING, but really you can’t go wrong with any choice. You can also pick up fresh pastries while you’re here but definitely take advantage the outdoor patio if weather permits.
Midtown Sacramento Eats and Treats
Pushkin’s Bakery
Pushkin’s Bakery is a dedicated wheat/gluten/dairy-free facility located in Midtown Sacramento. Honestly, if you have experience navigating the gluten-free/dairy-free world, you know that finding a bakery like this is the equivalent to finding a unicorn!
The bakery location is sandwiched in between another Temple Coffee and Revolution Winery & Kitchen. Revolution is another great option for dinner so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop in or grab something to go. Furthermore, their products are available in many local grocery stores.
The bakery is so popular, they expanded and now have a full restaurant in Downtown Sacramento, just a short distance away.
Fun Fact! Every Sunday Pushkin’s offers 11 to 13 different flavors of vegan and gluten-free donuts. There’s a catch though. The donuts are only offered on Sunday, and the flavors change weekly. Simply text “donuts” to 797979 to get on the texting list. Receive the donut menu every Sunday morning at 9 am, free of charge!
Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates
Calling all chocolate lovers!!! The gorgeousGinger Elizabeth Chocolates shop looks like a work of art, and their confections do too. From chocolate bonbons and macarons to ice cream, you’ll definitely satisfy your sweet tooth. Additionally, they have some beautiful pre-packaged items, so make sure to grab some treats to take home!
It’s located right near Temple Coffee on L Street and is actually the original location. There is a boutique in San Francisco now as well.
Permission for Images Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates via Facebook
Photos taken by @francisco_chavira
Zocalo Midtown Sacramento
Can you ever get sick of tacos? Nah, neither do we!!! As a result, it’s our goal to try local Mexican dishes in every city in California. Zocalo is our pick for Midtown Sacramento.
We’re a huge fan of their Burrito Bowl as a healthy and gluten-free option. Even though everything is quite delicious, you really can’t leave without trying the Blackberry Margarita. It’s pure deliciousness in a glass!
If you’re out for a good time (or don’t want people giving you the stink eye because your kids aren’t angels) you’ll find Zocalo has the perfect ambiance. It’s lively, with music and a bit of noise. If you want a quieter dining experience try the outdoor patio or come for lunch.
Images used with permission from Zocalo Sacramento via Facebook
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Right in the middle of Midtown Sacramento is an old abandoned fort. It’s one of the Central Valley’s earliest settlements of non-Native American people. Learn what life was like back then with hands-on exhibits and live demonstrations.
The park is open daily from 10-5 for self-guided tours. You can find everything you need to know about visiting here.
State Indian Museum State Historic Park
Just a short walk from Sutter’s Fort is the State Indian Museum. The museum showcases the three major themes in California Native American life – nature, spirit, and family.
While not large, it’s worth a 30 minute stop and a modest donation to learn a bit more about what early California life was like.
Local Roots Food Tours
While we’ve spent the morning learning, why not spend the afternoon eating! What better way to experience Sacramento dining than on a walking tour.
Importantly, Local Roots Food Tours are available in almost every part of the city. But our favorite is the Midtown Sacramento tour. Midtown has exploded with hip new restaurants in recent years. This is your chance to sample some of the best!
On this tour, the guide explains the history of the many murals Midtown has on display. So grab your camera, there is food and art just waiting to fill your lens!
Photos used with permission from Local Roots Food Tours via Facebook
(Bakery items from Pushkin’s Bakery)
B Street Theatre
So if you feel like you’ve done a lot of walking today, slow down. Cap off the evening with dinner and the theatre before turning in for the night.
Widely recognized as a premier Northern California professional theatre group, B Street Theatre is a fantastic evening of entertainment. B Street has a main stage and a Family Series line up. Both operate year-round in an intimate setting. In addition, B Street hosts concerts, comedians, live podcasts and more on a weekly basis.
Images for past productions used with permission from B Street Theatre via Facebook
If you ate more than you expected during the Local Roots afternoon tour, catch an early evening show and then head to Zocalo for a late dinner.
Alternately, stop by Revolution Winery & Kitchen for a wine tasting. Perhaps pop into Pushkin’s Bakery for a yummy dessert then relax at the theatre. In other words, you can’t possibly go wrong! Note that 2020-2021 restrictions have changed what is offered and how many can participate. Please check their website for the most up to date information on shows.
