The Abridged version:
- Alexis Frost moved to West Sacramento thinking it was just the west side of Sacramento. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
- A perfect day here includes great food, local breweries, baseball, trails and lots of reasons to stick around.
- Here is where she recommends going to eat, drink and explore.
If you had asked me about West Sacramento a few years ago, I honestly would have said it was just the west side of Sacramento.
I did not realize West Sacramento was its own city in Yolo County. I thought people were just referring to the west side of Sacramento, kind of like saying Midtown or Downtown.
I spent most of my life in the Central Valley before moving to the Bay Area for about seven years. When it came time to buy a house and be closer to my parents, West Sacramento just made sense.
The more I explored for my job creating food content (@alexis.frost on TikTok and @lex.loves_ on Instagram), the more I realized West Sacramento had a lot to offer. Between the bike trails, baseball games and locally owned restaurants and breweries, there is way more here than I expected.
If you are wondering how to spend a day in West Sacramento, here is what I suggest.
Morning
Like to start your day outside? There are a few different trails or bike paths to choose from. The Yolo Causeway Bike Path connects West Sacramento to Davis and passes by wetlands on its way there. If you would rather go for a longer stroll through farmland and vineyards, the Clarksburg Branch Line Trail (paved for the first mile or so) is a good one.
Are you more like me, and just want coffee and breakfast to start the day? Head over to Tree House Cafe to grab the classic breakfast sandwich with one of their delicious lattes, or Emile’s Cafe to get their signature breakfast burrito and a matcha latte.
If brunch is more your thing, try Franquette, one of my absolute favorite places in West Sac. Owned by the people behind East Sacramento fine dining restaurant Canon, the French-inspired café is always fresh and flavorful. You cannot leave there without trying one of their croissants or quiches made in-house.
Afternoon
One thing I love is that you do not have to stick to one type of food while you are here. If I am recommending a lunch spot, it honestly just depends on what you are craving.
West Sacramento is more than 30% Latino with deep-standing roots, and there is no shortage of stellar Mexican food. I always recommend Cocina Doña Chuyita’s birria tacos, and if you are really hungry, the asada burrito. Another one of my favorites that really deserves more attention is La Estrellita Meat Market. Their carne asada tacos are to die for.
For a delicious burger, head to 319 Broderick. I suggest ordering the flagship Johnny Cash burger (bacon, barbecue sauce, cheddar, house-pickled sweet peppers and crispy onion strings) with a side of onion rings. And for some of the best Chinese food, stop by Peace Cuisine, but be ready to share because they have huge portions.
If you are visiting with kids — or just looking for something active — the West Sacramento Recreation Center offers day passes for the pool, fitness center and climbing wall. My son practically lives there, and it’s a great option if you want a break from eating your way through town.
If you are visiting during baseball season, catch an Athletics or River Cats game at Sutter Health Park. I am not even a big baseball fan, but I have a blast there because the atmosphere is just so much fun, and there are lots of options for food and drinks.
Not visiting during baseball season? Capitol Bowl is a fun backup plan perfect for families and big groups of friends. You can bowl and/or grab food and drinks at Cap’s Bar & Grill, best known for its half-pound burger and house-cut balsamic chips.
Capitol Bowl has been in West Sacramento since the 1950s. For something newer, try The BLVD, opened last August where a Safeway had been. It promises immersive bowling, an arcade with more than 65 machines, laser tag, pool and trivia on Tuesday nights.
Night
Now comes one of my favorite parts of the day: dinner, dessert and drinks.
If you are looking for a beer before dinner, Bike Dog Brewing is always a good choice. It’s very laid-back, dog- and kid-friendly and shares its space with Baker Family Wines, if you are in the mood for a glass of wine over a beer.
Drake’s: The Barn is hard to beat if you want to grab a drink and enjoy the rest of the evening outside. They sometimes have food trucks but always have a full menu of New Haven-style pizza, so you can easily just grab dinner there as well.
For more of a sit-down dinner place, Altos Cantina has become one of my favorites to grab a burrito bowl. They also have great drinks. I usually order the spicy margarita, but you really cannot go wrong with any of their specialty cocktails.
No dinner is complete without dessert. I suggest heading over to Whitey’s Jolly Kone to grab one of their classic milkshakes (my favorite is the banana). It’s the perfect way to end the night before heading home.
Alexis Frost is a West Sacramento-based freelance writer and content creator.