Southeastern Sacramento - Sacramento, CA Area Guide

Southeastern Sacramento, along with the rest of the city, began to develop when miners flocked to California for The Gold Rush. Chosen as the state capital in 1854, Sacramento continued to grow due to the efforts of farmers and other land developers. The city has experienced rapid growth for several years, causing the population of southeastern Sacramento to increase.

Downtown Sacramento houses many museums and art galleries that portray the history of the city and its cultural influences. The California State Railroad Museum displays many railroad cars and features a room dedicated to toy trains. Stop by the Crocker Art Museum to view the ever-changing exhibits. Then, stay in town for one of the city’s many festivals, including The Art of Beer, Sacramento’s Autorama or Carnaval.

Locals in the southern neighborhoods can find some bar options in the area and a variety of ethnic restaurants serving cuisine that really draws crowds. Little Saigon, located in southeastern Sacramento, presents several Vietnamese eateries, while Mexican, seafood and new American restaurants lie along major roads like Stockton Boulevard.

Sacramentans who like to support humanitarian causes appreciate Plates Café and Catering off Fruitridge Road. Along with serving high-quality food, the cafe also works with Saint John’s Shelter and trains disadvantaged women for careers in food service and catering. Try the Carolina Pulled Chicken Sandwich for lunch, or enjoy a Portobello mushroom burger or chopped salad. Make sure you stop by during lunch hours, since Plates only opens during that time.

Some residents judge a neighborhood based on decent burger places. Joe’s Burger Café, one of the most well-rated burger joints in the city, lives up to its reputation. Head to this family owned hole in the wall for a Korean kimchee burger and a side of chili cheese fries. Sacramento residents choose Joe’s for a great combo at an affordable price.

Those who want to check out Little Saigon like to go to Thien Phu Vietnamese Restaurant for a hearty meal. Order piping-hot pho, and don’t pass up the goat curry soup or the bun bo hue with spring rolls.

Beer lovers in southeastern Sacramento can get both good food and a drink at The Spot, a Laotian bar and restaurant. Karaoke fans love Happy Bar near Jackson Road for an entertaining party, or just for a spot to hang out.

For live music, residents head to The Colonial Theatre to enjoy shows, movies and festival events. Much of southeastern Sacramento's nightlife activity takes place in downtown Sacramento.

Most Sacramentans use their cars to travel around town. Southeastern Sacramento, like most of the city’s suburbs, spreads out into a grid where car travel facilitates errands and commutes. Car drivers can easily jump on Highways 50 and 99 for a quick trip into the heart of the city or to journey through other parts of California.

The Sacramento Regional Transit District serves the southeastern neighborhood with a few bus lines, but not many. Locals can hop on buses and the light rail downtown, but the buses in the southeastern area only provide services on the main roads. Residents can call a number of city cabs to pick them up or catch a ride with Uber or Lyft.

The spacious nature of southeastern Sacramento allows for decent parking throughout the area. Pedestrians also walk around their neighborhoods or to parks, but shopping plazas and stores are not easily accessible through walking.

Biking is popular in Sacramento. Most of the main roads contain bike lanes, and the city’s mostly temperate weather means bicyclists can enjoy riding almost any time of year.

A number of small parks lie around Sacramento, but southeast Sacramentans have a few favorites. Just north of the neighborhood, Tahoe Park (inside the neighborhood of the same name) features six gazebos, a softball field, a play area and a swimming pool. Dogs take advantage of watering stations, and active adults can get on the jogging path for a brisk exercise in the morning.

All Sacramentans appreciate William Land Regional Park to the northwest of southeastern Sacramento. This park hosts the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town, two places that delight children year-round. Walk around the lakes, or enjoy the jogging path that travels through the 165-acre park. Enter for free, but plan to pay fees to get into the more exclusive areas, like the zoo.

Residents enjoy yearly events at Land Park, like the Banana Festival and the Sacramento Undy Run. Go through Land Park during the fall and winter to taste food at Food Truck Mania.

Living in Sacramento carries a slightly higher cost of living than the national average. The average one-bedroom apartment in southeastern Sacramento costs $850.20 a month in rent. Anticipate paying $2.50 in cash for a one-way ride on the Sacramento Regional Transit District buses, though children younger than 19 and seniors older than 62 pay only $1.25.

Most drivers in southeastern Sacramento pay about 4 percent more for gas than the national average’s price. A glass of beer at a neighborhood bar costs about $3.50.

Many southeastern Sacramento residents drive a short way south to shop at Florin Towne Center, located in the neighborhood of Florin along Florin Road. Walmart, PetSmart and other well-known stores draw in locals who need to buy clothes or other goods at budget prices. Restaurants like Sizzler give residents the chance to kick back and eat while shopping. Sacramentans travel north to the Arden Fair Mall to shop at high-end stores like Nordstrom. Locals find a number of boutiques and hobby shops outside southeastern Sacramento. Violet Muse Boutique in Arden-Arcade regularly swaps out its inventory so it can stock the newest fashions and accessories. Find a new designer handbag or jewelry to match new clothes. Comics & Collectibles in South Land Park sells classic comics, board games and action figures for children and adults. Large grocery stores like FoodsCo provide large-scale grocery shopping for southeastern Sacramentans. However, residents frequent smaller grocery stores like Faisal Market to buy shop for fresh meat and purchase tasty meals. Locals who crave organic produce find farmers markets spread out throughout the city. Farmers' Market Thursday on Florin Road proves to be southeastern Sacramento's nearest option.