Sacramento is in northern California, located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River. It serves as the state capital of California and is part of Sacramento County. It is the sixth-largest city in California and the 35th largest city in the U.S. Sacramento is known as the political and administrative hub of California, housing the California State Capitol and other government offices.
Sacramento, California Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Sacramento |
| County | Sacramento County |
| State | California |
| State Capital | Sacramento |
| US Region | West |
| Latitude | 38.5816° N |
| Longitude | 121.4944° W |
| Elevation | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Land Area | 97.9 sq mi |
| Water Area | 2.2 sq mi |
| Total Area | 100.1 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 524,943 |
| Population Density | Approximately 5,362 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 94203, 94204, 94205, 94206, 94207, 94208, 94209, 94211, 94229, 94230, 94232, 94234, 94235, 94236, 94237, 94239, 94240, 94244, 94245, 94246, 94247, 94248, 94249, 94250, 94252, 94253, 94254, 94256, 94257, 94258, 94259, 94261, 94262, 94263, 94267, 94268, 94269, 94271, 94273, 94274, 94277, 94278, 94279, 94280, 94282, 94283, 94284, 94285, 94286, 94287, 94288, 94289, 94290, 94291, 94293, 94294, 94295, 94296, 94297, 94298, 94299, 95811, 95814, 95815, 95816, 95817, 95818, 95819, 95820, 95821, 95822, 95823, 95824, 95825, 95826, 95827, 95828, 95829, 95830, 95831, 95832, 95833, 95834, 95835, 95837, 95838, 95841, 95842, 95843, 95851, 95852, 95853, 95860, 95864, 95865, 95866, 95867, 95894, 95899 |
| Area Code | 916, 279 |
| Time Zone Standard | Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 06-64000 |
| Congressional District | California 6th Congressional District |
Location and Surroundings
Sacramento is located in Sacramento County at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in Northern California. It lies northeast of the San Francisco Bay Area and west of the Sierra Nevada foothills. The city is known as California's capital, a historic Gold Rush center, and a major governmental, cultural, and economic hub of the Central Valley.
Nearby Cities to Sacramento, California
- West Sacramento, California - 3 mi West
- Rancho Cordova, California - 13 mi East
- Citrus Heights, California - 15 mi Northeast
- Folsom, California - 22 mi East
- Elk Grove, California - 15 mi South
- Roseville, California - 18 mi Northeast
- Rocklin, California - 22 mi Northeast
- Davis, California - 15 mi West
- Woodland, California - 18 mi Northwest
- Vacaville, California - 35 mi Southwest
Sacramento, California Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54 | 39 | 3.9 |
| April | 73 | 48 | 1.2 |
| July | 93 | 60 | 0.0 |
| October | 81 | 53 | 0.8 |
| Annual | 75 | 50 | 18.0 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Hot-Summer Mediterranean (Csa) |
| Annual Rainfall | About 18 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | Approximately 269 days |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Very low |
| Snowfall | Rare |
Driving Distances from Sacramento, California
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Sacramento | California | 3 | 10 min |
| Rancho Cordova | California | 13 | 20 min |
| Davis | California | 15 | 20 min |
| Elk Grove | California | 15 | 20 min |
| Citrus Heights | California | 15 | 25 min |
| Woodland | California | 18 | 25 min |
| Roseville | California | 18 | 25 min |
| Folsom | California | 22 | 30 min |
| Vacaville | California | 35 | 40 min |
| Stockton | California | 50 | 55 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Sacramento, California
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Sacramento International Airport |
| IATA Code | SMF |
| Port | Port of Sacramento |
| Major Highways | I-5, I-80, US 50, CA 99, CA 160 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | Amtrak Capitol Corridor, California Zephyr and Coast Starlight |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) |
- Interstate 5 - Major north-south corridor connecting Sacramento with Los Angeles and Oregon.
- Interstate 80 - Key transcontinental route linking Sacramento with the Bay Area and Reno.
- U.S. Route 50 - Connects the city with Lake Tahoe and western Nevada.
- State Route 99 - Important Central Valley transportation corridor.
- State Route 160 - Scenic route following the Sacramento River Delta.
- Business 80 (Capital City Freeway) - Major commuter route through the metropolitan area.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Sacramento, California
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| California State Capitol | Government Landmark |
| Old Sacramento Waterfront | Historic District |
| California State Railroad Museum | Museum |
| Crocker Art Museum | Museum |
| Sutter's Fort State Historic Park | Historic Site |
| Sacramento Zoo | Zoo |
| American River Parkway | Recreation Area |
| Golden 1 Center | Sports and Entertainment Venue |
| Fairytale Town | Family Attraction |
| McKinley Park | Urban Park |
Waterbodies in Sacramento, California
Sacramento River, American River, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Folsom Lake, Lake Natoma, Sutter Lake, Arcade Creek, Dry Creek, Morrison Creek, Natomas East Main Drain Canal
Golf Courses in Sacramento, California
Haggin Oaks Golf Complex, Bing Maloney Golf Course, William Land Golf Course, Valley Hi Country Club, Del Paso Country Club, Ancil Hoffman Golf Course, Teal Bend Golf Club, Wildhawk Golf Club, Bartley Cavanaugh Golf Course, Turkey Creek Golf Club
Economy and Major Employers in Sacramento, California
| Sector | Major Employer or Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government | State of California | Largest employer in the region. |
| Healthcare | UC Davis Health | Major healthcare and research institution. |
| Education | Sacramento State University | Important higher education employer. |
| Technology | Technology and Software Firms | Growing innovation sector. |
| Transportation | Logistics and Distribution | Benefits from strategic location and infrastructure. |
| Retail | Commercial and Shopping Centers | Supports regional employment. |
| Finance | Financial Services Industry | Strong professional services presence. |
| Tourism | Hospitality and Visitor Services | Driven by government and heritage tourism. |
Colleges and Schools in Sacramento, California
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University, Sacramento | Public | University | Major public university |
| University of California, Davis (Sacramento Health Campus) | Public | University | Medical education and research |
| Sacramento City College | Public | Community College | One of California's oldest community colleges |
| American River College | Public | Community College | Large transfer and workforce programs |
| Sacramento City Unified School District | Public | K-12 District | Serves central Sacramento neighborhoods |
| C.K. McClatchy High School | Public | K-12 School | Historic public high school |
Sacramento, California - Key Historical Facts
- Sacramento was founded in 1848 by John Sutter Jr. during the California Gold Rush era.
- The city quickly became an important commercial and transportation center serving gold mining communities.
- Sacramento was selected as California's permanent state capital in 1854.
- The city became the western terminus of the Pony Express and later played a key role in the First Transcontinental Railroad.
- Flood-control projects and river improvements helped shape Sacramento's modern development.
- Today, Sacramento serves as California's political center and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the western United States.
Sources
- Official City of Sacramento Website
- Official Sacramento County Website
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- National Weather Service
Most Viewed CA Maps
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