Sacramento, California

But there are other urban areas in this vast state. Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento, to name a few. Sacramento is California’s “Other City.” It has a diverse population, a vibrant eating and art scene and the kind of excitement that comes from not knowing what, exactly, to expect.

Here’s why Sacramento is the best city in California that most people have never been to.

1. Art. On the second Saturday of each month, the art galleries of Mid-Town open their doors to the public for the evening. Most bars in the neighborhood are especially grooving after 9 p.m., when the art walk ends. Restaurants tend to stay open later to offer art walkers a place to eat after hours.

2. The nightlife in Sacramento is not as widespread as it is in, say, S.F., but if you are aware of where to go, you won’t find any reason to complain. From trendy nightclubs to laid back beer halls to off-the-wall spectacles, Sacramento offers an impressive array of after dark fun. Bars like R15 and Capitol Garage bring laid back vibes and cool music. The Crest Theater specializes in foreign and indie films as well as the offbeat all-night B-movie marathons when most of the audience dresses up in costume before attending.

3. Old Sacramento is an area set up primarily for tourists. However, walking the old west-style boardwalks and taking on of the steam train rides is not the worst ingredients for an afternoon out. The shops here are overpriced, but some of the museums, like the California State Railroad Museum, are quite interesting and worth a look, especially for train enthusiasts.