Exploring Sacramento

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson dives into the best of Sacramento’s food, culture, and outdoor scene with three expert insiders.

First up, Johnson is joined by Benjy Egel, the food and drinks writer for The Sacramento Bee. Egel explains how the area’s agricultural abundance helps fuel its thriving farm-to-fork dining scene. “So much of the U.S.’s produce comes from the Sacramento region and the Central Valley as a whole, and so we have this wealth of tomatoes and asparagus and even caviar here in the region,” says Egel. He then dives into where to grab some local good eats, from neighborhood favorites in Little Saigon to Michelin-starred joints in Midtown.

Next, Johnson is joined by Ashley Shult Langdon, author of Mildly Scenic, a trail guide to Sacramento's Lower American River. The outdoor enthusiast and longtime Sacramentan describes what aspects of the river continue to surprise and delight. “Just within a 10-minute walk from the city, you can feel like you're out in the wilderness,” says Langdon. Langdon gets into her favorite spots and the family activities that visitors can enjoy along the lower half of the American River.   

Last, Johnson talks arts and culture with Hillary Louise Johnson of Sactown Magazine. The seasoned writer discusses Sacramento’s growing creative landscape. “There's such a density of public art [in Midtown], in part because Sacramento's pretty mural-crazy,” says Johnson. She then goes on a culture-fueled walking tour throughout the city’s artsy neighborhoods with stops for coffee and shopping along the way.

GUESTS

Benjy Egel, food and drinks writer for The Sacramento Bee
Ashley Shult Langdon, author of Mildly Scenic
Hillary Louise Johnson, staff writer for Sactown Magazine

Benjy Egel is the food and drinks writer for the Sacramento Bee and author of Sacramento Eats: Recipes from the Capital Region's Favorite Restaurants.

Sacramento 
Farm-to-Fork Capital 
Sacramento Eats: Recipes from the Capital Region's Favorite Restaurants
Little Saigon
The Kitchen
Localis 
Tori's Place
Binchoyaki
Elk Grove
Kru
Canon
Downtown Sacramento
South Sacramento
East Sacramento
Ella
Shady Lady Saloon 
Kodaiko Ramen
Jimboy’s Tacos
Clarksburg

Ashley Shult Langdon is a longtime Sacramento resident and author of Mildly Scenic, a handy trail guide to Sacramento's Lower American River.

Lower American River
Mildly Scenic 
Gold Country
Folsom
Paradise Beach
Sunrise Recreation Area
American River Raft Rentals
Folsom Lake
Lake Natoma

Hillary Louise Johnson is an award-winning journalist and writer for Sactown Magazine, where she covers Sacramento’s vibrant arts, culture, and lifestyle scene.

Leap statue
Lady Bird Tour 
Sacramento murals
Wayne Thiebaud
Crocker Art Museum
Portrait of My Father
Warehouse Artist Lofts
Ice Blocks
Strapping
Device Brewing Co. 
The Plant Foundry
Display: California
Oak Park 
Oak Park Farmers Market
La Venadita
Old Soul Co. 
Underground Books 
Moonbelly Bakery
McKinley Park
East Village Bookshop
Temple Coffee
Subtile sculpture
The Bridge District 
Franquette
The Barn
Sutter Health Park 

ABOUT THE HOST

Soterios Johnson, formerly the local host of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition on New York radio station WNYC, has been the host of the California Now Podcast since its inception in 2018.

OUR TEAM

Host, Soterios Johnson
Producer, Kate Eplboim
Technical Producer, Jessica Marshall
Theme music, Aaron Taos