A weekend in Sacramento
For the past three years that I’ve been living in New York City, I’ve gone home to Sacramento every September. It’s my favorite time of year to visit: not only are flight tickets so much cheaper than around the holidays or in summer, but it’s also perfect weather to read paperbacks by the pool and go on walks with Annie in the park. 
This visit to the City of Trees was especially lovely! Not only did I get to celebrate our recent engagement with my family (aka watch Four Weddings with my mom while drinking white wine), but I was able to go to my high school’s wine tasting alumni event with my high school best friends and check out a number of new, very cool places in Sacramento.
First lunch stop when I’m home: In N Out Burger, of course! I will say that I’ve become more of a Shake Shack aficionado since living on the East Coast, but I’m still a big fan of a cheeseburger and root beer when I’m in California. 
That gorgeous Capitol building! My favorite parts: the view from the steps that looks out on the iconic Tower Bridge and the rose garden surrounded by palm trees on the back end. 
Temple Coffee is a Sacramento institution, and they just opened a new location in Midtown that I absolutely swooned over. The floor is made out of PENNIES! There is gorgeous natural light and sidewalk seating and a hanging bicycle and a parked motorcycles, and it’s just the best. The coffee is also very, very, very good. 
Another favorite discovery: Oak Park Brewing Company! Oak Park was not a great neighborhood when I was growing up, but it’s been undergoing a major revitalization in the past few years. I went to Oak Park Brewing for a beer with a couple of girlfriends, and I absolutely loved it: the beer is delicious and the vibe is super chill. I popped into the Plant Foundry next door beforehand, and was so envious of the perfect growing conditions of California! There were so many plants I would have loved to purchase. 
River sunsets! My favorite exchange for a skyscraper skyline. 
Paragary’s has been a Sacramento institution for a long time, but I’ve always thought of it as a place for grandparents (aka: not me!). When my friend Ashlee Gadd suggested dinner there, I was surprised–but then I showed up and was WOWED. They recently renovated the entire interior and courtyard, and it was absolutely gorgeous. My only complaint: the prices seemed more in line with New York City than Sacramento. Alas! The food was delicious and farm-fresh and it was a wonderful atmosphere to catch up with Ashlee and Jenn, so I’m not too mad. 
Squeezed a few driving range sessions with my parents: next time, I need to find time for nine holes.
My high school puts on a very popular wine tasting fundraiser every year that is essentially an alumni reunion of all years. I’ve wanted to go basically since I turned 21 (there was no sneaking in with a fake ID when a high school teacher was manning the door), but between traveling and weddings and work, I haven’t been able to make it until now. I had such a great time catching up with my best friends and chatting with people I haven’t seen in 10+ years, and sipping plenty of craft brews and local wines. (p.s. my romper is by Kate Spade, but I actually got it for the weekend from Rent the Runway!) 
Isn’t this such a magical little house? It’s right across the street from Vic’s, the ice cream shop where I spent many Friday nights in high school. I absolutely love it, and always make a point to drive by it when I’m home. 
Did anything surprise you about Sacramento? Anything you’d be interested in checking out?
