Whether you’re a longtime City of Trees resident or a relative newcomer, there are just some things every Sacramentan understands to be true.
We asked our readers to share Sac’s unwritten rules, from common city knowledge to relatable trends and local lingo. You won’t find these rules in a handbook, but they are undoubtedly absorbed by the community — and if you’re not from Sacramento, these might be a little difficult to explain.
The unspoken rule everyone knows
- “The Shady Lady is a must! They are THE OG craft cocktail bar here in Sac and kicked off the scene in 2009.” — @superbumplantco
- “Never call it Sac-Town.” — @holapaulina
- “You may not have had seasonal allergies your whole life but surprise! Now you do. Stock up on them allergy meds champ” — @moded_corroded
- “It’s pronounced Sacramenno like the alphabet: L-M-N-O” — @ashlxyz
We’re kind to our neighbors
- “Avoid people who complain or trash the city or the things to do here - they’re the sources of their own unhappiness and also the reasons new people have lame experiences here. There’s no shortage of things to do and people to do them with, and the rules of attraction apply just as much here as they do anywhere else. You’ll get what you put out there.” — @badmikeyt
We’ve learned a thing or two from commuting
- “Even at green lights, look both ways before going straight” — @alejandrojrsantana
- “If you have to take 99 North or South, add some extra time. There are ALWAYS accidents!!” — @photos.by.vicky
- “Drive 28 to 32 mph on the grid to hit green lights. They are all on timers.” — @kmetz333
Sometimes you just have to laugh
- “If you’re FROM Sac you can talk 💩, if you’re not, zip it 🤐" — @puresoulpbeats
- “If you see a skunk in the daylight, DO NOT GO NEAR IT” — @miss.ameliafrost
- “This is why Sacramento has so many birds: The trouble starts with the algorithm programmed in the birds at FBI Headquarters. Sacramento translates to ‘Holy Sacrament.’ The Sacrament is bread. Birds are programmed to love bread. So they flock here looking for that sweet sweet body of Christ. That’s why we have so many birds in Sacramento. Birds aren’t real. Stay woke.” — @birdsarentreal.sacramento
- “Don’t swim in the river if you wanna live” — @calination916
SACtoday’s pro tips
- “No matter what they called it at the end, it’ll always be ARCO Arena in our hearts.” — City Editor Jordan
- “If you prefer the ‘Farm-to-Fork’ nickname over ‘City of Trees,’ be prepared to fight for your life.” — City Editor Madeline
What did we miss? If you know an unofficial rule that’s not on the list, let us know using this survey.
