Popular travel site frommers.com recently published an article about Sacramento naming it “the most attractive big-city state capital in the Western 48.
“By “attractive,” I don’t mean just in physical appearance, but in amenities, ambiance and attitude. I was surprised by the magnificent rows of trees (they call Sacramento a “city of trees”), the well-scrubbed downtown and government area, and the careful waterfront development. But I was equally impressed by the wide variety of cultural attractions available, from all kinds of music to plenty of art displays, from outdoor sports activities to ballet, opera and theater.
It’s always fun to hear the opinions of our out of town visitors. I especially enjoyed the dining recommendations (Esquire Grill? really?) and the fun facts (California is one of 5 states which do not have official residences for their governors…).
Now then, who has a snarky take on this?
The Sac Rag 
Snarky? How about this: do we really want Sacramento to be known as someplace Frommers, the most corporate and stale of the travel guidebooks, thinks is cool?
But really, it’s nice to get good press, even from the pressed khaki crowd.
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sac-eats: any snark on the lack of an official residence for the governor, per chance?
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“careful waterfront development”? is that like calling attention to Sacramento’s “limited giant statues of Zeus”?
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Thank you DMZ.
As a previous resident of the former unofficial home of several Governors (Lake Wilhaggin Dr.), I can say that not having an official residence for your state’s governor is a nice touch. It gives the man a sense of humanity to live in an ordinary house rather than an overinflated sense of self. It’s a very domocratic way to go, if you ask me. The bulletproof windows also increase the home’s resale value.
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OK, runnergirl, whoever you are; you may have a point there, but I refer to the ordinariness of the former CA gov’s home not in comparison with other Sacramento homes, but with these other Governors’ homes (and don’t think I don’t know that the correct use of the possessive plural apostrophe doesn’t turn you on). For example:
Alabama: http://www.dps.state.al.us/public/images/protective_services/mansion.jpg
Washington: http://www.controlledrain.com/images/photoGallery/Governor's%20Mansion%20crop.jpg
Hanoi: http://www.johngray-seacanoe.com/photos/photo00331.jpg
Sea of Tranquility: http://www.worth1000.com/entries/88500/88830taCX_w.jpg
and in comparison, California: http://www.friedmanarchives.com/British%20Columbia/images/Shack%20-%20vertical%208×10%20300%20dpi.jpg
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Just want to point out that Lake Wilhaggin Drive homes are not an “ordinary house” to 99.99% of the population..
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That would be the plural possessive indeed, Mr. Eats. We from the Indian reservation just like to give you Lake Wilhaggin types a hard time.
For those who have not been on a tour of the newly remodeled Stanford Mansion downtown, please do so, as it’s most impressive. The Stanford Mansion is where Gov. Schwarzenegger hosts heads of state and captains of industry since he doesn’t have an official home here. With rain in the forecast this weekend, that may be the perfect way to spend your Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
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