Despite being the capital of California, Sacramento doesn’t always get the love it deserves from visitors. Often overlooked for other destinations, like San Francisco or California’s buzzing beach town of Santa Cruz, travelers tend to miss all that Sacramento has to offer, namely its rich history and thriving cultural scene. And some of the city’s best attractions can be found just a couple of miles away from downtown in the R Street Corridor. The historic warehouse district runs for 27 blocks, and nowadays, it’s brimming with dining options, eclectic artistic spaces, and nightlife — but that wasn’t always the case.
According to the City of Sacramento, the R Street Corridor was established in 1855, and the district’s history stretches back to California’s first common carrier railroad, constructed around the same time, the Sacramento Valley Railroad. A few decades later, in 1907, an additional railroad brought even more activity to the thriving industrial neighborhood, a trend which continued til the end of World War II. But by the 1960s, a port opened up in Sacramento, and many businesses on R Street closed.
In recent years, a revitalization effort brought the historic corridor back to life, and today, Sacramento’s former warehouse district is a flourishing hub. Located less than 20 minutes away from Sacramento International Airport, the R Street Corridor is an essential stop on any itinerary.
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Dining and nightlife in R Street Corridor
Historic R District sign in Sacramento, California – Strekoza2/Getty Images
The underrated city of Sacramento is America’s “farm-to-fork capital,” so you can be sure to find plenty of diverse dining options within the R Street Corridor as well. Fox and Goose is a local institution that’s been around since the 1970s, serving up English pub-style fare and beverages, ranging from a full English breakfast to bangers and mash, fish and chips, and a range of burgers and sandwiches. Iron Horse Tavern offers an array of hearty burgers, a mac and cheese bar, and meat and seafood dishes in a contemporary environment. A local go-to for tacos is Mas Taco Bar, where you can find classic options like birria and pork al pastor, as well as innovative takes, like Indian butter chicken and banh mi shrimp.
Start your night off with a taste of local wine at Séka Hills Midtown Tasting Room, operated by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. It is open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. every night except Tuesdays. The tasting room also offers a variety of seasonal small plates centering Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation-made products like olive oil, beef, and produce.
Sacramento’s historic warehouse district is also a hub for nightlife, with spots like the well-rated Shady Lady Saloon, offering a speakeasy-style atmosphere, a varied cocktail menu, and live music throughout the week. For more live music, R Street Corridor is also home to Ace of Spades, whose lineup includes a range of musical acts and events, ranging from Indie dance parties to reggeatón nights.
Sacramento’s artsy warehouse district
Art exhibit at the Verge Center for the Arts in Sacramento, California – @elisemiarri / Instagram
The artsy city of Sacramento has plenty of creativity to indulge in, and the R Street Corridor is one of the best places to experience the scene, lined with street art and gallery spaces. Verge Center for the Arts offers free contemporary art exhibitions and events. This year, the Open Studios event included over 260 artists from throughout the region. Within Verge, you’ll also find spaces like Axis Gallery, an artist co-op that’s been around for over three decades.
Arthouse Gallery is another space tucked along the R Street Corridor. It has a gallery, which is open daily, as well as 20 artist studios, which can be toured every second Saturday or by appointment. Don’t skip the Twisted Track Gallery either, where you’ll find more contemporary art, open Wednesdays through Sundays. To experience the best of R Street Corridor’s art scene and community vibes, plan your visit during one of R Street’s “First Fridays.” The lively free event at Warehouse Artist Lofts includes artist studio tours, craft vendors, gallery visits, and more.
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