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Discover the Capital's Secrets: Top 8 Unique and Entertaining Fun Facts About Sacramento

illustration of sacramento
Delve into the intriguing world of California's capital as we uncover the lesser-known, yet delightfully amusing fun facts about Sacramento.

1. Nuts for Almonds

You might say Sacramento is nutty for almonds: Blue Diamond Almond company, based in the city, boasts the world's largest almond processing facility at 96-acres, where 3,500 farmers bring their crops, leading to a range of tasty and healthy almond products.
Source => wholesalenutsanddriedfruit.com

2. Wild West Gold Rush Madness

In the old-timey version of "The Hangover", where gambling, booze, and questionable choices abounded: San Francisco was the epicenter for Gold Rush fever, bursting with shops, saloons, brothels, and other dream-chasers looking to strike it rich, which resulted in overcrowded mining towns filled with bandits, alcoholism, and violence.
Source => history.com

3. Bridge's Golden Makeover

When the Tower Bridge decided to go from drab to fab and ditch that 1930's silver for a 70's gold disco ball look: In reality, the iconic Sacramento structure was repainted from its original aluminum silver to a stunning yellow gold with a hint of red in 1977, not in honor of the Gold Rush centennial as some might believe, but rather to complement the hue of the Capitol dome located on its eastern side.
Source => sacbee.com

4. Farm-to-Fork Foodie Paradise

If you're hungry for some fresh ideas, Sacramento has got you covered – they're the veritable breadbasket and fun-size Snickers of farm-to-table movement: In 2012, Sacramento was dubbed America's Farm-to-Fork Capital, thanks to its 1.5 million acres of surrounding farmland, year-round growing season, and a passionate commitment to local agriculture. From top restaurants to bustling farmers markets and even an NBA arena sourcing 90% of its food locally, this city is an epicurean paradise where eating fresh never goes out of season. They've even earned Michelin credit with awards for The Kitchen Restaurant and Bib Gourmand recognition!
Source => visitsacramento.com

All Aboard the Railway Museum

5. All Aboard the Railway Museum

All aboard the Fun Express, chugging along the tracks of locomotive laughs! Did you hear the one about the train conductor who refused to quit his job at Hogwarts? He couldn't revoke his steam-engineuity: Sacramento houses the California State Railroad Museum, the largest of its kind in North America. Showcasing a huge array of railroad memorabilia and narrating how the iron horses revolutionized the Wild West, this museum is the ultimate junction for history buffs and train enthusiasts alike. Don't miss the train rides along the scenic Sacramento River, offering passengers a scenic view of the historic waterfront!
Source => californiarailroad.museum

6. Hometown of Cool Talent

Sacramento, the hotbed of cool talent, is like a quirky character from a Wes Anderson film where only Toto blessed us with a gust of creative wind: Boasting notable natives such as writer Joan Didion, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, musician Chino Moreno, and actress Jessica Chastain, Sacramento's roster includes diverse stars who have excelled in their respective fields, not to mention TV executive Channing Dungey, Attorney General Xavier Becerra, and baseball legend Dusty Baker.
Source => sacbee.com

7. From Gold Rush to H2O

If Davy Jones were to trade his locker full of souls for a treasure chest of shiny gold trinkets, he'd likely anchor beside Sacramento's American River: The birthplace of the California Gold Rush, after gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in Coloma in 1848, ultimately triggering the state's large-scale settlement. Today, the river swaps gold for H2O as it serves as a critical source of drinking water and a hub for fish, wildlife, and thrilling outdoor activities like white-water rafting and hiking.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. The On-Again, Off-Again Capital

Sacramento: the Ross Geller of state capitals, always ending up with its on-again, off-again state capital title, until finally sealing the deal in 1869: Sacramento has been the permanent California state capital since then, despite other cities like San Jose and San Francisco having a brief fling with the title due to various catastrophes and logistical issues. The California State Capitol building, constructed between 1860 and 1874, maintains its regal stance as home to the offices of the governor, secretary of state, and state legislature.
Source => library.ca.gov

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