Sacramento Neighborhoods Guide

A plain-English directory of 23 Sacramento-area neighborhoods and communities — what each one is known for and which ZIP codes deliver there. Grouped by part of town so you can browse rather than search.

Central city

The original 1849 grid between the Sacramento River and Alhambra Boulevard — lettered streets running east-west, numbered streets north-south.

  • Downtown

    The State Capitol, Golden 1 Center, DOCO and the government office core. Walkable, transit-served and busiest on weekdays.

  • Old Sacramento

    Gold Rush-era waterfront district with wooden sidewalks, the California State Railroad Museum and riverfront restaurants.

  • Midtown

    Sacramento's restaurant and nightlife heart — Victorian homes, tree-lined blocks, Second Saturday art walk and the R Street corridor.

  • Mansion Flats & Alkali Flat

    Two of the city's oldest residential pockets north of the Capitol, anchored by the Governor's Mansion and historic cottages.

  • Boulevard Park

    A compact historic district of grand turn-of-the-century homes built on a former racetrack, just north of Midtown.

East Sacramento & the Pocket

Established, leafy residential neighborhoods known for consistent housing stock and strong schools.

  • East Sacramento

    Tudor and Craftsman homes around McKinley Park and the 'Fabulous Forties', with Sacramento State just across the river bend.

  • River Park

    Quiet mid-century neighborhood wedged between the American River Parkway and the university — heavy bike commuting.

  • Land Park

    Home to William Land Park, the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town, surrounded by 1920s-40s homes and Curtis Park's craftsman blocks.

  • The Pocket & Greenhaven

    A river-bounded suburban pocket in south Sacramento with wide streets, parks and easy access to the Sacramento River levee trail.

South & southeast Sacramento

Some of the region's most diverse neighborhoods, with dense small-business corridors along Franklin, Stockton and Florin.

  • Oak Park

    Sacramento's first suburb, now a fast-changing district around Broadway and 35th, next to UC Davis Medical Center.

  • Tahoe Park & Colonial Heights

    Affordable postwar bungalows near Highway 99, Sacramento City College and the Fruitridge corridor.

  • Meadowview

    South-city neighborhood served by its own light rail station, with large lots and community parks.

  • Florin & Parkway

    Dense, family-heavy neighborhoods with international grocery corridors and some of the county's highest population ZIP codes.

North Sacramento & the north area

Neighborhoods north of the American River, from riverfront enclaves to unincorporated county communities.

  • Natomas

    Master-planned newer housing near the airport and Sleep Train Arena site — the region's fastest-growing residential area.

  • Del Paso Heights & North Sacramento

    Historic working-class neighborhoods along Del Paso Boulevard, close to Cal Expo and the Arden arena corridor.

  • Arden-Arcade

    Unincorporated county area centered on Arden Fair Mall, with the upscale Sierra Oaks and Wilhaggin pockets to the east.

  • Carmichael

    Semi-rural feel with horse properties, Ancil Hoffman Park and direct access to the American River Parkway.

Suburbs & nearby cities

Separate cities and communities that share the Sacramento metro area, its 916/279 area codes and its commute patterns.

  • Elk Grove

    Large southern suburb with newer subdivisions, strong schools and a growing Old Town district.

  • Folsom

    Lakeside city east of Sacramento known for Historic Folsom, the Folsom Lake trails and a major tech employment base.

  • Roseville

    Placer County's largest city — the Galleria mall, extensive parks and heavy new-home construction on the west side.

  • Rancho Cordova

    Highway 50 employment corridor with light rail, aerospace and state offices, plus the newer Anatolia neighborhoods.

  • Citrus Heights & Fair Oaks

    Northeast suburbs with 1960s-70s housing, Sunrise Mall's redevelopment site and the village center at Fair Oaks Bridge.

  • West Sacramento & Davis

    Across the river in Yolo County — Sutter Health Park, the Bridge District waterfront and the UC Davis college town.

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