If you've ever gone to a strange city and wondered what to expect, or what might be out there to do, you might be interested in this little guidebook with some suggestions for those visiting.

To begin your day, it is recommended that a car or bicycle or some other dependable form of travel is available.(whether you are visiting as a couple, single, or family). The metro system is very busy in the morning and rush hour. Not to mention that it is rather inefficient. Routes can be confusing. There is also the light rail, although you will see another side of Sacramento, and it will probably not be a favorable side. It is best to avoid public transit until the City can make something more efficient.

Breakfast

Freeport Bakery, located at 2966 Freeport Blvd. is known for cakes, but their quiche, and other pastries are wonderful. Begin your day here, and break your fast on some delicious item. This is out of the downtown (if you follown 19th Street south it will turn into Freeport). It's a small little bakery, but it is very unique, with different things - who knows? Maybe you will want a cake for later.

After breakfast, visit William Land Park before heading back into the downtown. It is simply further down Freeport Blvd. You could golf or take a nice walk (to work off the pastry), or even stop to feed the ducks at the pond. Its a large park, filled with trees, picnic tables, a golfing area, a basball field, the Sacramento Zoo, Funderland and Fairytaletown (for children). The Sacramento Zoo has some interesting things, but most people prefer the San Francisco Zoo. There are no Elephants, and most of the animals are fairly inactive during the middle of the day. There is a neat Reptile House though, which children might get a kick out of seeing a large ball Python snake.

If you rather stay in the downtown, Spinners is a great little coffee shop with wonderful muffins. Its located on 14th Street, between N and O Street. They are currently going through a change in ownership, but have promised to continue with the delicious (and large) muffins. It's located at the back of the CA Department of Education building.

Midday

Prior to lunch, but after 10, (stateworkers will be out in mass for their break around 10) make sure to head to the capitol. Wander through the walkways. There is a cactus garden, a pond, several memorials - including the Vietnam War Memorial. There are hundreds of species of tree, plants and flowers. The rose garden (located on the 15th street side) is gorgeous. Sit on the bench and enjoy the beauty. There is plenty of grass for children to run about on, and squirrels to do crazy antics. You can walk into the State Capitol and take a look about.  Exit on the West side of the capitol building and go to the Leland Stanford Governor's mansion. It is an old mansion that housed governors but now is a historic state building. It's furnished, hasguided tours, and you can get in for $8. The tours run at 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3, and 4. This mansion is located at 800 N Street.

After the tour at the mansion, head back down the street, to the street Spinners was on (14th between N and O). Across from Spinners is a local restaurant (has 3 locations in sacramento) called Villajos. They serve Mexican food, for cheap. For about 9 dollars you get a plate the size of a serving plate. The food is really good, and you get complimentary chips with two salsas. If Mexican isn't your thing, another good place is LaBous, on the North Side of the capitol building. Its in the pedestrian only area between K and L. You can sit outside and look at the Capitol Building. They have nice salads, soups and sanwhiches. Watch out, it might be closed during the weekend, and during the week, is overrun with government workers.

At this point, you could ditch your car, and take the bus that run down L (for a dollar) or you could walk down "K Street Mall." People frequently confuse this term, but the K Street Mall refers to the strip where the Light Rail run downs the street, and it is pedestrian only. It does not refer to the Westfield Plaza Shopping mall (thats farther down K street). There is Cosmo - a new bar, Crest Theatre, a Rite Aid and a few other shops. It has recently picked itself up, but it used to be that almost everything on the K Street Mall closed at 7, and the only people around after 7 were creepy bad people. Locals knew to stay away. The re-vitalization of the area is probably in part due to the new urban Cosmo bar and club. Lots of things probably do close early here still, so don't plan to find lots of things open. A stroll down K street during the day is nice. If you have time, feel like a movie, go to the Crest. It is an old movie complex, but it's beautiful all the same. Sometimes they will play locally made films here.

If you took the bus, get off at the stop in front of Macy's. You can enter Westfields Shopping Mall here. If you are walking, you will walk past the Hard Rock Cafe. The hard Rock Cafe is cool, but expensive and the food is lacking. This mall has particular charm compared to the other mall outside of the downtown area. Its open - no roof overhead. This open plan is great, something different. But if its hot, you won't get cool unless you go inside a store. Sometimes they have misters out, but it doesn't help much. If its raining, you might get wet as well. This mall has had some loss of stores lately. However, it has Macys, Forever21, Victoria's Secret, Claires, Doubleday Books, Brookstone, a movie store, a candy store, Hallmark, food court, a theatre, and so forth. If you feel like shopping, the stores are nice, as well as all the employees there. If you don't feel like more then walking through this structure, keep going.

At the end of the mall, there is an open space between a parking garage, the mall, the Holiday inn, and the Freeway. You can walk under the freeway to Old Sacramento. There are alot of things to see here. There are more stores - unique and funny gift shops like Evangelines or Garden of Enchantment. However, there is also several "barrel" candy shops, and a place with decidedly good truffles, the Chocolate Factory. There is the river, the historic school house, a statue of a pony express rider, and the Railroad Museum. There is something for everyone. As a couple, it is particularly romantic setting, sitting on the benches looking out over the river. The train museum might be interesting for children. There is aslo several photo areas where you can take a picture with your family dressed up in olden day garb.

Evening

Before it gets past five, you might want to head over to the Crocker Art Museum. You can walk out of Old Sac (going south) and turn left to cross back over the freeway. The Crocker Art Museum with be a few blocks up on your right. Currently it is closed on Mondays. Tuesdays - Sunday it is open from 10-5. The first and Third Thursdays its open until 9. Its free on Sundays between 10-1, otherwise it costs $6. They have changing exhibits, but a large amount of California artwork, asian art, and international ceramics.

Head back to Old Sacramento and enjoy dinner California Fats, at 1015 Front Street. Its a fancy steakhouse and Asian grill. Its a little pricey, but definately tasty.

Downtown can die a little at night. Things close early. On the second Saturday of the month, and referred to by locals in the area as "second Satruday" You can walk the "grid" and see local artist and their work. Sometimes you can buy their work, enjoy free drink and food, and see live bands.

Weekends

On Fridays and Saturdays the downtown picks up a little - people are out to clubs and bars. There are several bars to reccommend, but first, there should be some other ideas of how to spend an evening. If you get lucky you can catch a comedy show in Old Sacramento. There is also a comedy show place on Howe Avenue. Sometimes, the Convention Center has theatre or ballet to attend. During the Christmas season they play the Nutcracker Ballet. There is also the Music Circus, playing different types of musicals. Arco Arena is in North Sacramento, in the Natomas neighborhood, and often has The Kings play basketball games. Check out Raley Field (across the bridge from Old Sacramento located in West Sacramento) where you can watch a baseball game of the Sacramento River Cats. During the Winter there is an ice skating rink across the street from the Hard Rock Cafe at the beginning of the K Street Mall.

Eat & Drink

After it all - or during happy hour, there are several good bars. Check out Capitol Garage.(15th and k) They serve coffee, some food, and have an excelent drink menu and great happy hour prices. MVPs (Capitol and 17th) is a sports Bar and Grill. Their happy hour appetizers sometimes happen to be potatoe wedges covered in cheese, bacon and green onions. Their normal prices aren't great, but the atmosphere is casual. Sports play on the big screens, and there is a waitress there who boxes, and is very talkative. Limelight (Alhambra and J) is further off the grid. Its near McKinely Park. It has cards to play, and good drinks. Its a lively friendly place, with small outside seating for those who smoke, with heat lamps in the winter. The Press Club (20th and P) collects an odd assortment of locals, and frequently plays local bands. Watch out for the photographs of Amy Scott covering the walls - when she randomly shows off her photography of the local bands. Luigis Pizza is(1050 20th Street) lets you buy pizza by the slice, and pitchers of beers. Its small, fun, and sometimes has local bands in the room next door, for all ages. For more upscale drinks, try the Sheratons bar, or the restaurant Zocalo's drink menu.

Accommodations

The Sheraton Grand is located in a prime location. Close to buisiness facilities, a two block walk to the Capitol park, next door to the convention center, and along the main drag that is J streeet, you can't beat efficiency. The Holiday Inn located on J street by Westfields shopping plaza is in the center of it all. Avoid some of the lower star hotels in Sacramento - they attract creeps.

Remember, Sacramento may not seem like a big city, but its spread out. Other neighborhoods have things to see and do, but almost every other neighborhood comes with its share of crime. Never let your guard down, and please be aware of your surroundings. Try to avoid the endless amount of homeless people, and enjoy Sacramento!