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Sacramento is the capital of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. Located along the Sacramento River and just south of the American River's confluence in California's expansive Central Valley, it is the seventh most populous city in California with a 2007 estimated population of 467,343. Sacramento is the core cultural and economic center of its four-county metropolitan area (El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo counties) with a combined population of 2,103,956. The Sacramento Metropolitan Area is the largest in the Central Valley, and is the fourth-largest in California, behind the Greater Los Angeles Area, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the San Diego area. Greater Sacramento has been cited as one of the five "most livable" regions in America,and the city was cited by Time magazine as America's most integrated.

Sacramento became a city due to the efforts of John Sutter, a Swiss immigrant, and James W. Marshall. Sacramento grew faster due to the protection of Sutter's Fort, which was established by Sutter in 1839. During the California Gold Rush, Sacramento was a major distribution point, a commercial and agricultural center, and a terminus for wagon trains, stagecoaches, riverboats, the telegraph, the Pony Express, and the First Transcontinental Railroad.

Typical of California informality, Sacramento is referred to by many nicknames. The most common names are Sac , SacTown , and The Capitol .

California State University, Sacramento, more commonly known as Sacramento State or Sac State , is the major local university. It is one of the twenty-three campuses of the California State University system. In addition, the University of California Davis is located in nearby Davis, just west of the capitol.

Unincorporated Neighborhoods

Antelope

Antelope is an unincorporated area located approximately 15 miles (24 km) northeast of downtown Sacramento. Established in the mid-1800s by Chinese immigrants who worked for the railroad, Antelope began as, and remains, a bedroom community. By 1973, Antelope still consisted of little more than a general store and a half-dozen homes. As the surrounding areas grew in the 1980s and 1990s, so did Antelope. By 1993 the residents of the area voted to be recognized as a community by the county and with their own ZIP code (95843) which became effective July 1, 1994. By the 2000 Census the population had grown to more than 36,000.

Arden-Arcade

Arden Arcade is a community immediately east of the city of Sacramento and north of the American River that includes an affluent area called Arden Park. It's population was once listed at over 90,000 people and boasted 42,987 households. However, after the census of 2000, the borders of the community were changed and the population was listed at a revised total of 83,000. It is located only minutes from downtown and offers many shopping and entertainment venues. There are over 2,000 businesses in the area, employing over 40,000 people. Access to outdoor recreation is also nearby because Arden is bordered by the American River Parkway, a 26-mile (42-kilometer) hike and bike trail that follows the American River to Folsom Lake. Golf, swimming and city parks are also close by. There is an organized group of citizens looking to place an incorporation measure on the ballot in 2008. There is also an effort by the city of Sacramento to annex Arden-Arcade. This is the first effort since 1960. Unlike CDP's like Carmichael and Fair Oaks, People living in Arden-Arcade have a Sacramento address.

Carmichael

Carmichael is located 10 miles (16 km) northeast of downtown Sacramento and is a historic community that dates back to the early 1900s. It was founded by Dan Carmichael, who was mayor of Sacramento in 1917-1919. Some of the remaining signs of the early Carmichael days are the palm trees along Palm Drive, planted around 1913. The current population is 49,742; there are 20,631 total households, 64% are family households, and the median age is 40. Carmichael is home to the beautiful Ancil Hoffman Park which houses the 77 acre Effie Yeaw Nature Center, a sprawling pristine nature preserve along the banks of the American River. Golf can also be played in the park under the shade of native oaks trees.

Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks, located 15 miles (24 km) east of downtown Sacramento and, with a population of 28,808, is an affluent, well-established community. It consists of suburban and semi-rural neighborhoods. The area is home to rolling hills and numerous native oaks that add to the area's quality of life. The views of the American River bluffs and nearby Nimbus Hatchery and Folsom Dam add to the distinctive character of Fair Oaks.

Fair Oaks uniqueness also stems from its existing business core and town center, known as the Fair Oaks Village. The village is home to narrow winding roads, rolling hills, an open-air amphitheatre, and a historic plaza of historic buildings full of unique galleries and shops. The Village has a charming small town atmosphere. The Plaza Park Amphitheatre, located in the Village, is the main site of the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival, one of the many outdoor community theatres in the area. Fair Oaks Village is also the site of the annual Fiesta Days, an event celebrating the residents of Fair Oaks.

Gold River

Gold River is an affluent suburb 15 miles (24 km) east of downtown Sacramento that is often mistakenly considered part of Rancho Cordova, an incorporated city in Sacramento County, California. The population was 8,023 at the 2000 census. The Gold River Community Association is the master association for the 25 separate "villages" that make up the community. Each village has its own sub associations as well.

La Riviera

La Riviera is a suburban community, 10 miles (16 km) east of downtown Sacramento. The population was 10,273 at the 2000 census. La Riviera is a primarily residential neighborhood located between the American River and Highway 50. It's popular place to live for college students attending California State University Sacramento, or CSUS. The community is sub-divided by La Riviera Drive into the areas of College Greens and Glenbrook.

Orangevale

Orangevale is a semi-rural suburb in the northeastern area of the county (north of Fair Oaks, east of Citrus Heights, west of Folsom and south of the Placer County city of Roseville and community of Granite Bay). The population was 26,705 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community is known for its abundance of horses.

Rio Linda/Elverta

Rio Linda, Spanish for "Beautiful River", is a community located north of Sacramento city and is home to over 10,000 people. There are approximately 3,500 households, 77% of which are family households and the median age is 34. This rural working-class community offers an escape from the busy city life. Rio Linda/Elverta has its roots as a small farming community established in the early 1900s. The Gibson Ranch and Cherry Island Golf Course are a couple of the places this area offers for horseback riding and outdoor recreation. There is currently a campaign to incorporate the Rio Linda and Elverta communities to form a single township which would then be governed independently from surrounding areas.

North Highlands

North Highlands is a community of 44,000 residents that is located approximately 10 miles (16 km) northeast of downtown Sacramento. The community was formally established with the opening of the North Highlands post office in July of 1952 and this unincorporated area grew with the development of the McClellan Air Force Base. North Highlands is mostly a middle-class residential housing area. With some commercial and industrial regions around the McClellan Air Force Base, now a civilian airport, called McClellan Business Park.

Vineyard

Vineyard is a new suburban neighborhood in Sacramento County approximately 15 miles (24 km) southeast of downtown Sacramento. The population was 10,109 at the 2000 census, however, plans have been announced to add as many as 20,000 new homes to Vineyard. This could add as many as 60,000 new people to the area. Along with the houses would come new shopping centers, parks, and schools. However, some have been critical of the expansion and one California State University, Sacramento professor referred to it as "car-oriented sprawl development." However, there are plans to extend some sort of public transportation to Vineyard and to build around the train tracks that go through the town.