90 miles E of San Francisco; 383 miles N of Los Angeles

Sacramento, with a metro-area population of nearly 1.7 million, is one of the state's fastest-growing areas. In addition to being the state capital, it is a thriving shipping and processing center for the fruit, vegetables, rice, wheat, and dairy goods produced in the Central Valley. In the past decade, it's also become an area of high-tech spillover from Silicon Valley, and more recently, a suburb for Bay Area workers seeking affordable homes. The quantity and quality of downtown restaurants -- such as the Esquire Grill and The Waterboy -- have improved as well. This prosperous and politically charged city has broad, tree-shaded streets lined with some impressive Victorians and well-crafted bungalows. At its heart sits the capitol -- Sacramento's most visible attraction -- in a large park replete with flower gardens, memorial statuary, and curious squirrels.

Sacramento is far from a tourist town, but it does have its share of touristy activities. Visitors and locals alike enjoy spending the day walking through Old Sacramento, floating down the American River, or biking the shady paths along the Sacramento and American rivers. Locals fondly refer to their water-bordered town as "River City." And did I mention that in summer the weather is seriously hot? So much so that San Franciscans drive to Sacramento just to thaw out.