Friday 16 sees the UK premier of Golden Globe winner Lady Bird,a coming of age story following Christine (Lady Bird) as she struggles through the final year of her Catholic high school, set in Sacramento.
“I grew up in Sacramento and I love Sacramento, so the initial impulse to make the film was a desire to write a love letter to a place that only came into focus after I left,” says the films director and Oscar nominee, Greta Gerwig. “It’s not a show off-y city. It does not brand itself or try to sell itself. There is modesty and integrity to the place and the people”.
Here are five reasons to take Gerwig’s advice and visit Sacramento in 2018.
1) Explore Local Wineries and Breweries
Known as the farm-to-fork capital of the US, Sacramento sits among 1.5 million acres of farms and ranches that grow more than 160 crops for markets all around the world. 96 percent of the country’s tomatoes come from within 250 miles of Sacramento, as well as 95 percent of California’s sushi rice, exported in mass to huge sushi industries such as Japan. The largest almond processor in the world, Blue Diamond, is based in Sacramento contributing to California’s production of 80 percent of the world’s almonds. Experience the Farm-to-Fork Capital with the Local Roots Food Tour, sampling some of the finest menus in town with locally grown produce, while you learn about the rich history and architecture of the city. Visit the Kitchen Restaurant for the finest farm-to-fork experience with a five-course demonstration dinner, or create your own dinner with the Sacramento Natural Food Co-Op cookery class.
While in the area, why not pop into the Bay Area – Six Reasons to Visit San Francisco in 2018.
3) Explore the Lady Bird Film Locations
‘Lady Bird’ set and shot in Sacramento took home several Golden Globe Awards earlier this month, including Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) and leading actress Saoirse Ronan winning Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy). Greta Gerwig manages to really let her home town shine and for once place California’s often overlooked capital in the lime light. Visit some of the film locations such as Tower Bridge, one of the most recognisable structures in the city with a golden sheen of the bridge symbolising California’s Gold Rush past, or one of Sacramento’s 450 street murals including the American Market and Deli in midtown Sacramento featured in the film. Sacramento’s ‘Fabulous Forties’ upscale East Sacramento neighbourhood is also another must visit film location, considered one of the city’s most fashionable neighbourhoods and previously home to Ronald Reagan during his time as the governor of California from 1967-1975.
4) Visit the Diverse Neighbourhoods
Old Town: To experience the past, walk over to Old Town and step back in time. Home to traditional Fanny Ann’s Saloon, horse-drawn carriages around the main Old Town historic sights, cobbled streets and Sacramento’s History Museum offering underground tours of this Gold Rush town.
R Street: Once Sacramento’s thriving railway warehouse district, R Street home to the newest hip restaurants, bars, galleries and coffee shops. Many brick buildings, landmarks, and street elements still reflect the former rail based business activity that existed here for over a century, encapsulating the old with Sacramento’s new beginnings, creativity, and ingenuity.
5) Stylish Sleeps
Flights to Oakland (90 minutes from Sacramento) starting at £160.20 one way with Norwegian, and hotels in the heart of the city range between £50 and £200 per night.