Department of Mental Health Headquarters

Sacramento is located 90 miles northeast of San Francisco and 80 miles west of Lake Tahoe. The climate is Mediterranean, with mild year-round temperatures. Summers are dry with little humidity and an abundance of sunshine. December, January and February are cool and sometimes rainy.

The city is a home of professional ballet, opera and theatre companies, music, theaters and many art galleries. Night clubs range from quiet piano bars to folk and pop ensembles, and from country western to rock and roll.

Shopping centers include Downtown Plaza, on the K Street Mall between 3rd and 7th Streets, which has many restaurants, and 150 boutiques and specialty shops in addition to Macy's, and a multi-screen cinema. Other shopping malls are Arden Fair, the new Roseville Galleria, Old Town Sacramento, the Pavilions, and Old Sutter Street in Folsom.

With its wonderful year round climate, Sacramento offers many outdoor recreational activities including river rafting, boating, and salmon and steelhead fishing. All can be done on the 1000 miles of waterways around Sacramento and the Delta. Nearby Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma offer sailing and windsurfing. Major league sports are represented by the Sacramento Kings of the NBA, the Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA, the Capitals of World Team Tennis, the Knights of the Indoor Soccer League, and the Sacramento River Cats, a Triple-A baseball team.

Annual events include the internationally known Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, California State Fair, California International Marathon, Summerfest and Festival de la Familia.

Within a two hour drive from Sacramento, one can visit all the sights in and around San Francisco, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, and the theatre district. World class downhill and cross-country skiing are only a short drive away in the Lake Tahoe area, along with hiking, boating, and fishing.

Nearby colleges and universities include California State University Sacramento, the University of California at Davis, Sacramento Community College, Cosumnes River College and American River College.