Friday 16 sees the UK premier of Golden Globe winner Lady Bird,a coming of age story following Christine (Lady Bird) as she struggles through the final year of her Catholic high school, set in Sacramento.
“I grew up in Sacramento and I love Sacramento, so the initial impulse to make the film was a desire to write a love letter to a place that only came into focus after I left,” says the films director and Oscar nominee, Greta Gerwig. “It’s not a show off-y city. It does not brand itself or try to sell itself. There is modesty and integrity to the place and the people”.
Here are five reasons to take Gerwig’s advice and visit Sacramento in 2018.
1) Explore Local Wineries and Breweries
Discover the local wineries and breweries the region has to offer. The Sacramento Valley runs for approximately 120 miles and is home to 13 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). The Region is best known for its full-flavored Chardonnay, which is the leading varietal. Many of the vineyards and tasting rooms are relatively undiscovered and offer tastings for no cost or a minimal fee where you can gain intimate access to the wine making process and the chance to speak to the winemaker in person. The Underground Tasting Room can be located in Historic Old Sacramento, offering an exceptional educational wine tasting experience in a traditional setting. Alternatively take a tour of one of more than 50 breweries in the region, as Sacramento grows to be one of the largest craft brewery regions in the US. Sacramento’s beer scene is thriving, being the host of multiple beer festivals throughout the year, offering tours of hop yards owned by local brewers to beer dinners, and finding unique craft brew tasting tours throughout. Sac Brew Bike Tour offers 15 passengers a taste of locally produced craft beer whilst taking in this fascinating city.
Known as the farm-to-fork capital of the US, Sacramento sits among 1.5 million acres of farms and ranches that grow more than 160 crops for markets all around the world. 96 percent of the country’s tomatoes come from within 250 miles of Sacramento, as well as 95 percent of California’s sushi rice, exported in mass to huge sushi industries such as Japan. The largest almond processor in the world, Blue Diamond, is based in Sacramento contributing to California’s production of 80 percent of the world’s almonds. Experience the Farm-to-Fork Capital with the Local Roots Food Tour, sampling some of the finest menus in town with locally grown produce, while you learn about the rich history and architecture of the city. Visit the Kitchen Restaurant for the finest farm-to-fork experience with a five-course demonstration dinner, or create your own dinner with the Sacramento Natural Food Co-Op cookery class.
While in the area, why not pop into the Bay Area – Six Reasons to Visit San Francisco in 2018.
3) Explore the Lady Bird Film Locations
‘Lady Bird’ set and shot in Sacramento took home several Golden Globe Awards earlier this month, including Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) and leading actress Saoirse Ronan winning Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy). Greta Gerwig manages to really let her home town shine and for once place California’s often overlooked capital in the lime light. Visit some of the film locations such as Tower Bridge, one of the most recognisable structures in the city with a golden sheen of the bridge symbolising California’s Gold Rush past, or one of Sacramento’s 450 street murals including the American Market and Deli in midtown Sacramento featured in the film. Sacramento’s ‘Fabulous Forties’ upscale East Sacramento neighbourhood is also another must visit film location, considered one of the city’s most fashionable neighbourhoods and previously home to Ronald Reagan during his time as the governor of California from 1967-1975.
4) Visit the Diverse Neighbourhoods
Sacramento has an interesting culture where old meets new. Dive into Sacramento’s past in Old Town Sacramento to learn more about the gold rush history, or visit the up and coming R Street downtown to experience the development and future of California’s capital.
Old Town: To experience the past, walk over to Old Town and step back in time. Home to traditional Fanny Ann’s Saloon, horse-drawn carriages around the main Old Town historic sights, cobbled streets and Sacramento’s History Museum offering underground tours of this Gold Rush town.
R Street: Once Sacramento’s thriving railway warehouse district, R Street home to the newest hip restaurants, bars, galleries and coffee shops. Many brick buildings, landmarks, and street elements still reflect the former rail based business activity that existed here for over a century, encapsulating the old with Sacramento’s new beginnings, creativity, and ingenuity.
5) Stylish Sleeps
The recently opened Kimpton Sawyer Hotel brings boutique style to Sacramento. It’s an urban haven surrounded by great shopping, art galleries, and the city’s renowned restaurants and farmer’s markets. Kimpton Sawyer Hotel embraces the area’s nature and history with spaces that feature organic textures, natural patterns and abundant open-air areas. Go no further than the pool deck and lounge and enjoy local cocktails and craft brews while enjoying the sunshine. Rates from $139 / £105 per night.
Flights to Oakland (90 minutes from Sacramento) starting at £160.20 one way with Norwegian, and hotels in the heart of the city range between £50 and £200 per night.
