Florin - Sacramento, CA

Florin began as an agricultural community in the 18th century. The neighborhood became a popular place for Asian immigrants until the forced evacuation of Japanese immigrants during World War II. The Florin Historical Society operates a museum that exhibits artifacts and gives presentations about the history of the area.

Established in 1897, Frasinetti Winery, the oldest family-operated winery in the Sacramento Valley, offers tours of the vineyard. The nearby Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum has walls filled with murals that chronicle the area's history. The annual Banana Festival in August funds the museum and features vendors that serve an array of dishes prepared with bananas. Visitors can also participate in eating contests and view works from local artists.

Restaurants of Florin feature many types of cuisines, including several Mexican and Asian establishments. Most restaurants can be found lining Florin Road or Stockton Boulevard. Locals go to Burger Junction and satisfy fried food cravings with a juicy burger topped with pastrami. Side items such as a basket of fries or fried zucchini complement the meal perfectly along with a milkshake or beer. This restaurant has a long history in the neighborhood and makes a great alternative to the usual fast food chains.

Crab City Restaurant and Dessert fuses Creole and Asian cuisine for unique dishes such as roasted crab with garlic noodles and fries topped with bulgogi. Create your own dish by combining a sauce flavor with different seafood items. A bar area and sleek modern decor make the restaurant a popular place for social gatherings.

Bowls of bun thit nuong with rice vermicelli and grilled pork remain a popular dish at Viet-Ha Chinese and Vietnamese Restaurant. People also stop by for bowls of pho and shrimp spring rolls with housemade dipping sauce.

Nightlife options in Florin are limited to a few bars. People play billiards while enjoying draft beer at Sharky's Pool Hall. Classic arcade games like street fighters remain popular among patrons as well. For more nightlife options, residents head a few miles north to the neighborhood of Parkway-South Sacramento.

Most residents use personal vehicles to go to work and get around the neighborhood. Most roads have sidewalks that facilitate walking, but businesses tend to be spread out. The Sacramento Regional Transit operates a few bus routes that run through the neighborhood. Uber services the area, and residents can also call a taxi company to arrange a cab ride.

State Route 99 runs along the edge of the neighborhood, making it easy to get out of town. To visit other cities, take a bus to the Amtrak station in downtown Sacramento. From there, trains run to the Bay area and several large cities including Seattle, Portland, and Denver.

Residents enjoy access to several parks that provide outdoor activities. Woody Hampton park contains a playground for children as well as a soccer field and ball diamonds for recreation. The park provides the venue for the annual Family Health Day, which raises health awareness and promotes healthy eating and physical activity. People visit Sheldon Park to use the many tennis courts and open areas for sports. Many residents use the Florin Creek Trail, which runs through the neighborhood and connects several parks, for jogging and walking their dogs.

Old Florin Town park has several ball diamonds and soccer fields. It also serves as the venue for the annual Strawberry Festival each summer, which celebrates the area's history as a major strawberry producer. Visitors enjoy bowls of strawberries, craft vendors, and live music.

Residents of Florin enjoy living expenses 10 percent lower than the Sacramento average. Gas prices remain six percent higher than the national average, and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Florin runs around $745 per month. Getting from Florin to downtown Sacramento using the Sacramento Regional Transit bus costs $2.50. Expect to pay about $5 for a pint of beer at a local bar.

The Florin Town Centre, anchored by Walmart and Sears, forms the shopping hub of the neighborhood. The parking lot of the complex also serves as the venue for the Florin Farmers Market, held throughout the year every Thursday. Locals also shop for groceries at Raley's and Food Maxx. A number of smaller Asian supermarkets like South Area Market and 99 Ranch Market serve the area as well.

People head to Florin Bicycle Center to pick out a new or used bicycle. The knowledgeable owner guides people through the process of buying a bike that meets their needs, and he also performs maintenance and tune-ups. Locals choose this establishment over larger chain retailers for the quality of the inventory and personalized service.

Sheetal Fashion sells upscale Indian clothing for special occasions. The selection of clothes is so large it borders on overwhelming, but the helpful staff provides the input needed to navigate the inventory and pick out the perfect outfit. The store also sells accessories like jewelry to complete the ensemble, and the staff performs alterations to ensure everything fits perfectly.