10 Things I Love About Living in Greater Sacramento

In a recent video I covered some of the challenges of moving to Greater Sacramento. That was useful, but it only tells half the story. This one is about why people stay. Here are the 10 things I genuinely love about living in Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties.

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1) Central location that unlocks weekend adventures

From here you can pick your scenery. San Francisco is about 90 minutes if you want a Giants or 49ers game and city culture. Head the other direction and Lake Tahoe skiing and hiking are roughly 90 minutes too. Napa Valley is about 2 hours. The coast is about 3 hours to places like Mendocino, Jenner, or Santa Cruz. It makes quick getaways easy.

2) Endless outdoor recreation

The American River Parkway offers 32 miles of paved trail from Discovery Park to Folsom. You can ride from downtown to Folsom Lake without touching a road. If you live near the trail, it’s a five-minute walk to a full day outside.

On the water, Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma are great for boating, paddling, and fishing. The Sacramento State Aquatic Center rents kayaks and paddleboards and is perfect for a morning on the water. Up in Placer County, Hidden Falls Regional Park has 30+ miles of trails and waterfalls. El Dorado County puts you right in the foothills for hiking, mountain biking, and quicker access to Tahoe. Auburn’s confluence and Lake Clementine deliver those classic green water, granite, and canyon views.

No, we don’t have ocean beaches in town. But between lakes and rivers, you can still scratch that “near water” itch without a long drive.

Source: Google Gemini

3) A food and brewery scene that punches above its weight

Midtown’s farm-to-fork restaurants keep getting better, and the annual Dinner on the Bridge is a fun snapshot of what local chefs are doing with regional produce. Breweries are everywhere, and spots like Drake’s: The Barn in West Sac pair a huge tap list with views of the Tower Bridge. Urban Roots downtown serves its own beer and legit barbecue.

Old Roseville has a lively summer night market. Historic Sutter Street in Folsom brings a small-town main street feel with great restaurants and seasonal events. Over in El Dorado County, there are 70+ wineries, many with a relaxed vibe and reasonable tasting fees. If you want quality wine without Napa pricing, it’s hard to beat.

4) Housing that’s more reasonable than much of California

Prices change, and they vary by neighborhood, but here’s the big picture: compared to the Bay Area and many parts of SoCal, your budget goes further here. Sacramento County offers entry-level homes and condos, Placer County has a range of family-friendly suburbs like Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln, and El Dorado Hills and Granite Bay deliver luxury and view homes.

If you’re paying big-city rent for a one-bedroom, it’s common to find a path into a starter home here, especially with builder incentives like interest rate buydowns. If you’re relocating from the Midwest, our prices will still feel higher. If you’re coming from the Bay, the space and lifestyle upgrade can be dramatic.

5) A diverse job market and real stability

As the state capital, government jobs provide a strong base with benefits and pensions. Healthcare is big here through systems like Sutter and Kaiser. Intel has a major presence in Folsom, and the broader tech ecosystem continues to grow. Add trades and construction with steady residential and commercial building, and you get a more balanced market instead of a single industry carrying the region.

6) Strong public schools in key districts

Families prioritize places like Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, and El Dorado Hills for their highly rated districts and above-average math and reading proficiency scores. Sacramento County is more mixed, so it pays to research individual schools rather than relying on district averages. The upside is you can often find top-tier public education without private school tuition.

Source: Google Gemini

7) Real seasons and lots of sunshine

Winters are mild, generally in the 40s and 50s with rain from roughly November through March. If you want snow, you can day-trip to it. Summers get hot, especially in July and August, but it’s a dry heat. Many homes have pools, and there are plenty of lakes and rivers to cool off. Spring is full of blooms, fall colors pop in our tree-filled neighborhoods, and we get about 260 sunny days a year.

8) Manageable traffic and easy regional access

Rush hour on I-80 and Highway 50 isn’t fun, but the typical commute is nothing like LA or the Bay. In many neighborhoods, errands are 10 minutes away. The Sacramento International Airport is convenient, and the regional freeway network makes weekend trips simple.

Source: Google Gemini

9) A growing sports scene

The Sacramento Kings play at Golden 1 Center, which is a great venue even if you’re not a hardcore fan. Sacramento Republic FC brings soccer energy, and the River Cats give you affordable minor league baseball with a view of the skyline. With our location, you’re also within striking distance of Bay Area teams for an occasional big-league experience.

10) Daily views and natural beauty

On clear days the Sierra Nevada is visible from across the region. Placer County’s rolling oak-covered hills are gorgeous. In El Dorado Hills you’re perched above the valley with wide views toward the mountains. Even inside Sacramento, sunsets can light up the sky with mountain silhouettes in the distance. Drive 20 minutes and you’re in orchards and farmland. It’s a good reminder of California’s agricultural backbone.

Final thoughts

Every place has trade-offs. For Greater Sacramento, the mix of relative affordability for California, easy access to mountains and coast, strong job options, solid schools, and outdoor lifestyle creates a quality of life that’s hard to beat.

Thinking about a move to Sacramento, Placer, or El Dorado County?
Call or text (916) 425-5786. I’m happy to answer questions, send you our Relocation Guide, and help you compare neighborhoods and new-build incentives.