When you head to East Sac, you’re visiting one of Sacramento’s largest + yet most “small-town” minded neighborhoods. Highly sought-after for its location and stunning homes, the community has changed a lot since it was first annexed in 1911. If you haven’t explored in a while, it might be time to rediscover why so many people — maybe even you — love to call it home.

Need to know

East Sac is one of the most distinctive parts of the River City, with its stunning mansion-like homes, tree-lined streets, and iconic neighborhoods, like the Fab 40s. It’s centrally located, making it a great place to live for those who work Downtown or those who need to commute to Sac State. The area is also home to several Michelin-rated restaurants and award-winning cafés, as well as many beloved neighborhood haunts, like the Bonn Lair.

The Bonn Lair is the type of pub where locals have their favorite seat. | Photo by SACtoday Staff

The early days

The city annexed East Sacramento — alongside other neighborhoods Land Park + Curtis Park — in 1911 in what was Sacramento’s “first official expansion” outside of the core established 62 years earlier in 1849. The annexation was largely thanks to a growing population and a robust trolley and bus system, which allowed for East Sac to flourish as a suburb.

The area was lightly developed until a company by the name of Wright & Kimbrough finished a project by the name of Tract 24, an area with large, mansion-like homes that we now refer to as the Fab 40s. The stately homes would go on to inspire much of the architecture of the area, often with “Eclectic or Period revival” flourishes.

The "Lady Bird" house is an example of the Fab 40s style. | Photo by SACtoday Staff

Can’t miss

A trip to East Sac isn’t complete without a walk around the Fab 40s, especially around the holidays when the neighborhood is adorned with delightfully over-the-top Christmas displays. Best known for the “Lady Bird” house (1224 44th St.) + where President Ronald Reagan lived (1341 45th St.) as the California governor, the area generally stretches from 38th-46th Streets, and is generally hemmed between J Street and Folsom Boulevard Pro tip: Start your journey with an iced latte from the Pachama at 3644 J St.

Shop

With East Sac best known for its stunning homes + quiet neighborhoods, it only makes sense that cozy, neighborhood businesses help add to its distinctive home-spun flare.

From a curated book selection to community events, like trivia nights and book signings from local authors, the East Village Bookshop — just a few blocks from McKinley Park — is one of those neighborhood shops that just makes us feel at home.
Compton’s Market
Located in what was once a single-family home, The Kitchen Table is a cozy shop for cookware, pantry, and locally-made gifts.
With over 75 vendors of vintage + antique goods, from apparel, vinyl, and mid-century modern furniture, you’re bound to find something at the enduring 57th Street Antique Mall.

The pillows say it all. | Photo by @craftopoliscraftingclub

Outdoors

East Sac is more than an extension of our urban forest — it’s home to some of the city’s most notable parks.

The tucked away Glenn Hall Park, which features a pool, a soccer field, and tennis courts, stands out as being the best access point to Paradise Beach.
At over 30 acres, the historic McKinley Park offers something for everyone, from being home to a library, a sprawling rose garden, a duck pond + more.
East Portal Park is a great getaway for an in-town picnic — or a game of softball.

Eat + drink

With four Michelin-rated restaurants, the types of bars where locals have their favorite seats, and forward-thinking cafes, East Sac is a great place for gourmands + casual foodies alike.

One Speed is a farm-to-fork pizzeria that offers fresh, delicious takes on classics like the Magherita as well as inventive pies like the Vegan Pizza with arugula pesto and grilled artichokes.
The cozy European-inspired Bonn Lair is a neighborhood watering hole that serves a wide variety of boozy bevs, including one of the few bottled gluten-free beers in the city.
The Mimosa House serves 20+ champagnes that can be paired with brunch-favorite plates, like omelets and waffles.
The Michelin-rated Canon is a “global tour de force” with its wide-ranging plates, from Crispy Lamb Pavé to Blistered Pole Beans with peanut butter miso.
Contemporary Japanese cuisine, from bone marrow butter with Hokkaido Milk Bread + the Ngo Burger with wagyu beef, is the name of the game at Kru.

Allora is another Michelin-rated restaurant in East Sac, serving high-end takes on Italian cuisine. | Photo by @anna_wick

Arts + culture

While other parts of Sacramento are better known for their arts and culture — we’re looking at you, midtown and downtown — East Sac is still a vibrant, colorful place, from mural tours to local galleries.

The Sacramento Mural Alley — located right next to its sponsor Archival Gallery at 3223 Folsom Blvd. — features six unique artworks from local creatives. Pro tip: Grab a beverage from nearby Nitty’s Cider afterwards as you decide which selfies to post on social.
Named after the element for iron, Fe Gallery is both a hub for metalwork and a space for emerging local + global artists to exhibit their art.
Located on the side of Canon, the East Sac mural painted in 2017 for Wide Open Walls by Tyson Anthony Roberts stands out for deep blue hues + imaginative floral patterns.

Where to live

If you’re sold + looking to buy a home in the area, here are some housing options currently on the market:

1426 41st St. | 3 BD, 2 BA | $1,519,500 | This bungalow-style single family home offers an outdoor living area featuring a lap pool and spa, a pizza oven, and a fire pit.
3027 E. St. | 3 BD, 2 BA | $750,000 | Find your inner chef in this home’s newly remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances, an open design, and a breakfast bar.
679 55th St. | 4 BD, 2 BA | $724,900 | This East Sac home features bamboo flooring, upgraded baseboards, dual pane windows, and a gas fireplace.