Sacramento, Calif.
Where to Stay
Expense Account: Hyatt Regency Sacramento. California’s governor, a.k.a. Arnold Schwarzenegger, calls this hotel home when he’s in town. It offers convenient access to the Capitol building and convention center, as well as the usual Hyatt amenities. Rooms from $255 to $290. 1209 L Street; 916.443.1234; sacramento.hyatt.com
Romantic Weekend: Amber House Bed & Breakfast Inn. Choose the Poet’s Refuge or the Musician’s Manor in this historic twin-mansion inn. Its 10 rooms feature marble baths with Jacuzzi tubs, gas fireplaces, and covered patios, along with a gourmet breakfast. Free wireless and free parking, along with a midtown location, make for a winning combination. Rooms $159 to $279. 1315 22nd Street; 916.444.8085; amberhouse.com
On the Cheap: Holiday Inn Express Downtown. You’ll know what to expect at this dependable chain property, and the location is prime for meetings near the convention center or State Capitol. A stay includes free parking and complimentary wireless Internet access. Rooms from $129 to $166. 728 16th Street; 916.444.4436
Where to Eat
Business Dinner: Biba. Chef/owner Biba Caggiano boasts a 20-year track record of serving upscale Italian dishes made from fresh ingredients. Valet parking is a plus for travelers with rental cars (on Capitol Avenue, between 28th and 29th Streets). 2801 Capitol Avenue; 916.455.2422; biba-restaurant.com
Hot Spot: Ella Dining Room & Bar. This new American bistro is an offshoot of The Kitchen, Sacramento’s answer to Napa Valley’s French Laundry. Modern Dutch design and family-style seating define the eating experience. Look for Ella’s in the Cathedral Building at 12th and K Streets. 916.443.3772; ellarestaurant.com
Eating Alone: Ma Jong’s Asian Diner. Choose from a wide variety of tasty pan-Asian dishes and grab a seat at a communal table in this business-lunch hangout located across from the Capitol. 1431 L Street; 916.442.7552
Coffee and Internet: Temple Fine Coffee and Tea. You’ll feel good about ordering a cup of organic, Fair Trade coffee or “bliss tea” drinks from this trendy downtown café. Look for an English Tudor building that was formerly a bookstore and enjoy the free Wi-Fi while you’re there. 1014 10th Street; 916.443.4960; templecoffee.com
Where to Shop
Business Critical: Nordstrom. A classic department store known for outstanding customer service, Nordstrom’s Studio 121 collection targets career-oriented women with a full line of business attire. 2100 Arden Way; 916.564.3208
Date Night: Dara Denim. This midtown boutique carries a dozen lines of jeans, plus all the requisite accessories to complete the look. 2404 K Street; 916.444.1188; daradenim.com
Techie: Best Buy (1901 Arden Way; 916.925.1212; bestbuy.com) or the Apple Store (1689 Arden Way; 916.643.0960) can satisfy most travelers’ computer needs.
Where to Play and Primp
Best Day Spa: Spa Bloom at Parkside. Start with the Omega 3 Matrix facial and move on to deep tissue, Swedish, or aromatherapy massage. The spa is also an inn, so if you don’t want to leave after being scrubbed and rubbed, you don’t have to. 2116 6th Street; 916.658.1818; spabloom.com
Best Place for a Run: Capitol Park. Take a loop around this 40-acre downtown park and admire its collection of flora from around the world.
How to Get Around
Preferred Airport: Sacramento International Airport (SMF) serves as the region’s hub, with 14 major airlines and most of the major rental car companies. 6900 Airport Boulevard; 916.874.0719; sacairports.org
Public Transportation:Yolo County’s public transportation system, Yolobus, connects downtown Sacramento with the Sacramento International Airport and other towns in the county. Fares run $1.50 per ride ($2 express) or $5 per day. yolobus.com
Taxi or Car Service Numbers: Call Americab at 916.922.3336 or Orange Cab of Sacramento at 916.368.8294. One-way fare from the airport to downtown is approximately $27.00. SuperShuttle offers both van and sedan transportation to and from the airport. 800.258.3826; supershuttle.com
Weather and Wardrobe: Located adjacent to a river delta, Sacramento enjoys a moderate climate year-round, except in summer when temperatures soar into the high 90s.
Where to Do Business
Host a Meeting: Sheraton Grand Sacramento. One of Sacramento’s two largest hotels, the Sheraton has 19 meeting rooms for groups of all sizes, including a 10,500-foot ballroom. 1230 J Street (between 13th and J Streets); 916.447.1700; starwoodhotels.com
Best Place for Printing and Copies: FedEx Kinkos has several locations in town, including 1200 J Street, 916.444.2843; 1795 Arden Way, 916.649.2900; and 5600 J Street, 916.731.4012.
