Sacramento is the capital of the State of California and is the fifth largest city in the state. According to U.S. Census data, as of 2004 the Sacramento metropolitan area was the 26th largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the United States with a population of slightly over 2 million people. Sacramento is located in north/central California, approximately an hour and a half north east of Oakland and San Francisco.
Sacramento is ranked as the 23rd “Most Fun U.S City” in a survey conducted in 2003 by Cranium Inc. Factors taken into account in the ranking include: the number of sports teams, restaurants, dance performances, toy stores, the amount of a city’s budget that is spent on recreation, and other factors. Sacramento was also a finalist in the National Civic Leagues prestigious “All-America City Award”.
The “Jewel of Sacramento” is the 23-mile American River Parkway. More than 5 million visitors enjoy this unique wildlife and recreation area annually. Fishing, boating and rafting opportunities lure water enthusiasts. Picnic sites, golfing, guided natural and historic tours and much more are often just steps away from the paved trails. Access to the Parkway is available at various points off of Highway 50.