Local

Five stories that define Sacramento’s evolving city life

Stories by Sacramento Bee journalists, with AI summarization

Sacramento’s city life reflects a rich blend of history, community, and change. At Purple Tree Cafe, locals can support people with disabilities while enjoying vegan pastries, highlighting the city’s commitment to inclusion. The city’s unique past remains visible, with historic Berry’s Foundry manhole covers telling stories of early immigrants and craftsmanship.

Policy shifts, such as paying for formerly free Sunday street parking, show the challenges of managing growth and urban budgets. Meanwhile, residents embrace diverse experiences, from craft beer with Urban Roots Brewery to welcoming new faces with the A’s baseball team and navigating changes in food, culture, and daily routines.

Purple Tree Café employee Tone Martinez rings up a customer’s order on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the cafe, which is housed inside the MIND Institute at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Martinez, who is on the autism spectrum, works up to nine hours a week at the cafe. Many of the cafe’s employees have mental, physical and/or developmental disabilities By Bailey Stover

NO. 1: AT THIS SACRAMENTO CAFE, YOU CAN SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BY BUYING VEGAN PASTRIES

Most pastries are wheat-free in addition to being vegan, such as peanut butter-chocolate chip cookies and coconut macaroons, and all cost less than $4. | Published June 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Benjy Egel

Descendants of the founder of Sacramento’s Berry’s Foundry, sisters, Sally Styles-Zanotti, Cindy Moore, Glory Styles and Katy Styles Rogers stand next to manhole cover on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 in Sacramento. Berry’s Foundry was started by their great-grandfather in Sacramento. By Paul Kitagaki Jr.

NO. 2: SACRAMENTO’S HISTORY IS UNDERFOOT. TAKE NOTE OF THESE MANHOLE COVERS THAT DOT DOWNTOWN

Made by Berry’s Foundry that operated in the mid-20th century, these ornate manhole covers are a point of pride and artistic inspiration. | Published July 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Graham Womack

A’s manager Mark Kotsay and players JP Sears, JJ Bleday, Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler stand for the national anthem before an NBA game at Golden 1 Center on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

NO. 3: BEST STEAK, BRUNCH AND SPEAKEASIES IN SACRAMENTO? A’S BASEBALL TEAM NEEDS YOUR ADVICE

Stars such as Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler are looking for go-to restaurants in their new city. | Published January 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Benjy Egel

Urban Roots brewer Peter Hoey sniffs the bouquet of Blend-In, a fruited sour beer, on Monday, April 14, 2025, at the Sacramento brewery. By PAUL KITAGAKI JR.

NO. 4: SACRAMENTO CRAFT BEER 101 WITH URBAN ROOTS BREWERY’S PETER HOEY

The brew master helped a Sacramento Bee food writer learn how to like beer. | Published April 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Camila Pedrosa

A meter stands guard over a vacant parking spot Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, on L Street near Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. With fewer people working and parking downtown, the city’s parking revenue – intended to pay for the arena’s construction – is not meeting projections. By Hector Amezcua

NO. 5: NO MORE FREE PARKING ON SUNDAYS IN SACRAMENTO? CITY HALL WANTS TO SUCK US DRY | OPINION

Sacramento civic leaders are ruining the relaxed rhythm of Sacramento’s Sundays by charging drivers to park downtown. | Published June 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Robin Epley

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.