South Natomas - Sacramento, CA

Artists Collective Natomas sponsors local artists and has a gallery where visitors can view their art. On the second Saturday of each month, the public can meet the artists at the gallery. A summer concert series takes place annually in the parking lot of the Sacramento Gateway Shopping Center.

To visit more museums, residents of South Natomas head to downtown Sacramento. The California History Museum chronicles the history of the state with exhibits about the Gold Rush, Spanish missions and Native Americans. The museum also contains the California Hall of Fame, which honors famous citizens of the state. The Crocker Art Museum contains galleries of American art and has rotating exhibitions. People also visit the museum to view film screenings and see live performances. People visit the Old City Cemetery to take walks through the statues and lush gardens and to take tours where they learn about the city's history.

Most restaurants lie clustered around the intersection of Truxel Road and Interstate 80. Upscale seafood restaurant Pearl on the River makes the ideal spot for a romantic meal. Dishes like the smoked salmon pizza and poutine fries stand among the favorite selections. The restaurant also has a full-service bar, making it a good place for social gatherings. To cap it all off, patrons enjoy sweeping views of the American River while they dine.

Grab carne asada tacos or chicken fajitas at authentic Mexican restaurant Mezcal Taqueria. Customers also stop by to have the super nachos, topped with grilled steak. Vegetarians enjoy a number of meatless options, such as the veggie burrito, which many customers believe to be the best in the area. The restaurant also serves a wide selection of Mexican and American beers that perfectly pair with the menu options.

The buffalo roll with grilled beef and teriyaki ranks among the most popular selections at Azukar Sushi. Side items like salmon carpaccio and ahi nachos transform the sushi roll into a full meal, while donuts and fried bananas provide sweet finishing touches. A fully stocked bar and elegant plates of food make the restaurant a good spot for group dinners.

A few bars comprise the nightlife options in South Natomas. Locals enjoy the many draft beers at neighborhood hangout Cheers Sports Bar. In addition to watching games on the televisions, people can play billiards and darts. Residents also make the short drive across the river to enjoy the bars and clubs of downtown Sacramento.

Most residents use personal vehicles to get around the neighborhood, which means plenty of free parking at many businesses. Bike lanes facilitate cycling along most major thoroughfares, and many roads have sidewalks for pedestrians. You can also take one of bus lines that runs through the neighborhood, operated by the Sacramentio Regional Transit. Taxi companies provide cab rides if you call ahead, and Uber services the area as well.

Interstate 80 runs along the northern edge of the neighborhood, which makes getting out of town easy. To travel to distant areas using public transportation, take a bus to the Amtrak station in downtown Sacramento. Many train lines stop at the station and provide service to Denver, Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area.

North Natomas contains many parks that provide recreational opportunities. South Natomas Community Park encompasses 25 acres and includes several multipurpose fields. Children enjoy playing on Fort Natomas, the large playground shaped like a castle. Visitors also stop by to walk through the adjacent rose garden, which contains hundreds of different varieties of roses. Volunteers meet every Wednesday to prune the bushes and have lunch. South Natomas Community Park also serves as the venue for the annual Celebrate Natomas Festival, which features food trucks, art exhibits and live music.

Discovery Park, which lies along the American River, contains access points where visitors can take boats or jet skis on the water. The park has a beach at the waterfront where you can picnic and have lunch. People also enjoy biking and jogging on the 32 miles of trails that wind through the park. Breweries serve samples of their beers at the annual California Brewers Festival held in Discovery Park. The park also has a pedestrian bridge, allowing people to walk or bike into downtown Sacramento.

Residents of South Natomas enjoy a cost of living 8 percent lower than the Sacramento average. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom residence runs around $770. Gas prices hover 12 percent above the national average, and a pint of beer in a local pub usually costs about $5. Getting from South Natomas to downtown Sacramento costs $2.50 on the Sacramento Regional Transit bus.

A shopping hub at the intersection of Truxel Road and Interstate 80 provides many retail opportunities. Walmart, Target, and Home Depot anchor the two large shopping centers in the area. Residents shop for local produce at Natomas Farmers Market, which takes place Saturday mornings in the Target parking lot. People buy everyday groceries at Food Maxx and Bel Air. A few ethnic markets also service the neighborhood.

Natomas Bike Shop has everything needed to take advantage of the bike trails through Discovery Park. The store has a wide selection of quality-made bikes in addition to accessories like helmets and water bottles. People also bring in bikes for repairs and maintenance. The knowledgeable staff provides helpful advice on picking out a bicycle, as well as tips on the best bike trails in the area.