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🏖️ Swimply the best
Swimming in North Fork American River beats any pool day. | Photo by @river_rock_530
Ready to take a cold plunge, Sacramento?
Whether you’re looking to ditch the crowded pool outings or spend time in nature, these eight swimming holes in and around Sacramento oughta do the trick. Let’s dive right in.
Considered the closest representative to a Sacramento beach, this dog-friendly, ~10-acre park in South Natomas offers a beach with access to the Sacramento River perfect for swimming, wading, or floating. Visitors will also find conveniences like a parking lot, drinking fountains, paved walkways, and portable toilets.
This cove created from a bend in the American River remains open year-round, sunrise to sundown. This shallow-water swimming hole has restrooms near its parking lot, which is a short walk from the beachfront.
Note: Use caution when venturing out to any of these places and swim at your own risk. Always take into consideration freezing water temperatures, changing or hidden currents, unseen rocks in the water, and slippery surfaces.
Sacramento County Fair | Thursday, May 22-Monday, May 26 | Times vary | Cal Expo | $10+ | The annual event returns with competitions, hands-on family activities, carnival rides, livestock auctions, live entertainment, and lots of food; kids age 11 and under get in free.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Athletics | 12:35 p.m. | Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento | $21+ | Tonight’s fan freebie is so cool — it’s a green, As-themed cooler bag, while supplies last.
Lincoln Festa | Thursday, May 22-Sunday, May 25 | 5-10 p.m. | 65 McBean Park Dr., Lincoln | $30| This celebration of Portuguese heritage + culture features carnival rides, live performances, and lots of food.
Friday, May 23
Concerts in the Park: XZIBIT | 6-9:30 p.m. | Cesar Chavez Plaza | Free | The beloved community concert series continues this week with XZIBIT, Harris Rudman, D. Sean, and DJ Oasis.
Saturday, May 24
California Hall of Fame “Artifact Exhibition” Grand Opening | 10 a.m. | California Museum | $10 | Debuting in a freshly redesigned space, this exhibition celebrates the first all-women class of Hall of Fame inductees and their legacies including Julia Child, Tina Turner, and Mitsuye Endo.
International Kids Festival 2025 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | William A Carroll Amphitheatre | Free | Sac’s largest free kids’ event will feature live entertainment, mini train rides, bounce houses, hands-on activities, and food trucks.
Sunday, May 25
SGMC 40th Season Celebration | 1 p.m. | Southside Park | Free | Bring your lawn chairs or blankets to the park for this celebration of music, love, community, and 40 years of the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus.
Monday, May 26
Veteran’s Memorial Day Car Show| 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | California Automobile Museum | Free | This car show will honor our US military service members, past and present; don’t miss the Color Guard presentation at 9:30 a.m.
Memorial Day Service & Walk for Veterans | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Elk Grove Historical Cemetery| Free | Today’s tribute to US military service members includes a special ceremony, community walk, and a barbecue.
Jack White | Monday, May 26-Tuesday, May 27 | 8 p.m. | Channel 24 | $95+ | The singer and guitarist performs his “No Name Tour” at Sac’s newest music venue.
“Michelin Guide” added 13 California restaurants to its “new discoveries” category, including three Sacramento hot spots — Kin Thai, Majka, and Pho Momma. Midtown’s Kin Thai specializes in Thai street food, Majka is quickly rising within Sac’s pizza scene, and Pho Momma offers pho-nomenal, flavorful pho. (The Mercury News)
Traffic
If you’re driving in West Sacramento, expect delays due to three major infrastructure projects currently aiming to replace aging roadways. Caltrans said drivers should give themselves at least 30 extra minutes for their commute — especially during peak traffic — and avoid I-80 whenever possible. (ABC10)
Development
Construction has started on Monarch, a downtown Sacramento project that will transform a former state storage site along R Street Corridor into a mixed-use affordable housing development. Monarch will feature 241 units, 3,428 sqft of commercial space, and 16,369 sqft of outdoor areas. It’s expected to be completed by spring 2027.
Coming Soon
Put on another pot of coffee. Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters is brewing up a new location at 12th and L streets in downtown Sacramento. The buzzy spot will debut this summer, but if you just can’t wait, check out the coffee shop’s other locations in East Sac, Land Park + Folsom.
Sports
“Action Jackson” is coming back to Sac. Former Sacramento Kings guard Bobby Jackson will join the team as an assistant coach. Jackson — who spent six seasons with the Kings, 4.5 of those alongside Doug Christie — has been working as an assistant staffer for the Philadelphia 76ers. (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Real Estate
The AJ — a $130 million apartment complex in The Railyards — is now open. The 6th Street property features 345 apartments, including 69 affordable housing units, and amenities like a 24/7 fitness center, a rooftop lounge, a pool + spa, a pet washing area, and a bike storage and repair station.
Ranked
Sacramento’s Sweet Oven Bakery landed on Yelp’s 2025 list of Top 100 Local Businesses in the US. The list spotlights businesses that stand out through their excellent products and friendly service — the businesses that “are the soul of American communities.” Visit the bakery Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Closed
After 12 years in business, the Seasons 52 at Arden Fair Mall abruptly shuttered after service last weekend. A sign displayed on the restaurant’s window confirmed the location had permanently closed, but offered no other information. The chain’s sister restaurant, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, remains open on Pavilions Lane. (CBS News)
Number
$5 million. That’s how much a very lucky Maximum Millions Scratchers ticket purchased at A1 Mart on West El Camino Avenue was worth. Winner Ashley Eugene got the $20 ticket as a Christmas gift from her dad and was in “disbelief” when she scratched it while doing laundry.
Biz
We want to thank the local businesses that filled out our Small Business Week survey. Shoutout to Everything Esthetics, Oxford Street, Cigar Club, Lil Peaches Boutique, Asteria Florals, A Mi Estilo Peruvian Delights, and Vibrant Humans HR Consulting. You are the heart of Sacramento.
Sports
Star linebacker Fred Warner and the 49ers have struck a deal on a three-year contract extension worth a whopping $63 million. Where does Brock Purdy’s new contract stand vs. the salary cap? Hear from the local experts on the San Francisco 49ers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Salsa Sazona specializes in three handmade salsas made right here in Sacramento. | Photo via Salsa Sazona
We know small businesses are the heart of our community. We’ve been shining the spotlight on a few of Sac’s small businesses this month, and today it’s Salsa Sazona’s turn.
The business is owned by Edward Carrillo, who proudly makes handmade salsas right here in Sacramento as a love letter to his family and his Mexican heritage.
You can find Salsa Sazona’s products at several locations across Sac, including Saturdays at the Midtown Farmers Market + Sundays at the Carmichael Farmers’ Market.
Here’s a little more info, straight from the biz itself:
What year did you open?
2024
How would you describe your business?
Based in Sacramento, Salsa Sazona was born out of our passion for making authentic, handmade salsas. Our salsas are the perfect pair to your favorite chips or food!
What’s unique about the small business scene in Sacramento?
We’ve noticed that the small business scene in Sacramento is extremely collaborative and supportive with anything we have taken part of. As new business owners, we’ve felt so welcomed by other small business owners in the area.
Have you heard of Sacramento-area TikToker Ivan Martinez, aka @realkingivyyy? Martinez is turning heads with his videos where he goes around NorCal practicing his very good Spanish while ordering food from local eateries.
So far, his favorite spot is El Cora Birria, a tiny restaurant that sells Tijuana-style tacos from inside a gas station in Sac’s Avondale neighborhood. Read more about Martinez’s social media success.
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