From aesthetics to recreation, fresh food to a wealth of historical resources, there is always something new to enjoy, and something old to rediscover, in Sacramento.

Here are just seven perks of living in Sacramento.

1. Still the City of Trees

Sacramento’s previous slogan, “City of Trees,” turns out to be more than just a nod to the foliage that abounds throughout the area.

An M.I.T. study in which cities throughout the world were measured for the amount of green covering their area revealed that Sacramento is not only the third greenest city in the world, it is THE greenest city in the United States. Boasting 23.6% tree coverage, Sacramento comes in way ahead of the competition.

So even though, in recognition of the local food movement that is sweeping the nation, our city slogan has changed to “America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital,” Sacramentans can still wear our tried and true label of “The City of Trees,” and now with more pride than ever.

2. Food Destination

Sacramento is home to many critically acclaimed restaurants, with chefs that are in company with the best in the state. Restaurateurs in our region have at their disposal year-round access to fresh, locally grown meat and produce.

Local chefs have forged relationships with regional farms, utilizing year-round resources to implement menus created around what is fresh and in-season, with offerings that are as ever-changing as they are delectable.

Sacramento’s recent adoption of the “America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital” slogan harkens from this local movement that has taken off like wildfire.

3. Expanding Entertainment Venues

With the brand new Sofia Theater, home to the B Street Theater, recently opening its doors as well as the upcoming renovations planned for the Sacramento Community Center, Sacramento and local beneficiaries are putting money into performing arts venues.

Also, opened within the last couple years are two new entertainment venues: Downtown’s Golden One Center – home to the Sacramento Kings – and The Barn in West Sacramento. While Golden One has stadium seating and caters to a larger crowd, both venues offer an inviting atmosphere, designed to entertain.

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4. Rich History

Though gold that the 49ers sought eventually ran dry, the rich legacy of the region has history buffs crying ‘Eureka!’

For those interested in the history of early California and it’s Gold Rush, Sacramento is a wealth of resources, activities, museums, and experiences. But the gold rush isn’t Sacramento’s only historic claim to fame.

The Sacramento Railyards is a historic resource. This former railyard was once a thriving industrial complex where train cars were designed, built, and repaired. The shopyards played a major role in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad and were the largest employer in the Central Valley for the better part of a century.

The California State Railroad Museum pays homage to the area’s close ties to the Railroad industry by offering events, exhibits, and larger than life engine restorations. The success of the Railroad Museum has laid tracks to another place of interest that will be focusing on Sacramento’s historic ties to the Railroad: the Railroad Technology Museum that will be coming to the Sacramento Railyards.

A unique museum of science, technology, and innovation, its main galleries will feature hands-on exhibits celebrating railroad engineering and technology.,

5. Green City

The vast expanse of trees aren’t the only reason Sacramento is considered one of the “greenest” cities in the U.S.

In October of last year, a national survey looked at 100 of the largest U.S. cities to measure which have the greenest lifestyle. Of these cities, Sacramento came in at 7th place. Comparing the key variables of environment, transportation, energy sources, and lifestyle and policy, the survey determined that Sacramento ranks high in many categories.

Factors that earned California’s capital city its high nationwide ranking included coming in a number 1 in overall water quality, as well as the presence of a bike-sharing program and community garden plots per 100,000 residents.

6. Recreation

Nestled in the heart of Central California, the Sacramento region offers a wealth of opportunity for outdoor exploration and adventure.

Whether boating the waters of Folsom Lake, canoeing picturesque Lake Natoma, kayaking the currents of the American River, or hitting the trails on it’s banks – by foot or bicycle – the opportunities for outdoor recreation are truly limitless. With bodies of water surrounding and running through Sacramento, outdoor recreation in the region always makes a splash.

Sacramento is also located equi-distance between the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the west coast, providing plenty of additional opportunities for outdoor recreation within a few hours’ drive.

7. Job Opportunities

As the capital city of California, Sacramento is often thought of as a “government” town. But those who live here know that Sacramento is so much more, as industries and occupations continue to grow and expand.

Some of the fastest growing industries and occupations in the region include technology and clean energy. But the industry poised to bring the most growth and jobs to Sacramento over the next decade is the healthcare industry.

The healthcare industry supports more than 279,000 jobs in the Sacramento region, with more to come.The Railyards development will be home to a 1.3 million square foot Kaiser Permanente Medical Center on approximately 18 acres of land, bringing thousands of additional healthcare jobs to the Sacramento area. And Kaiser isn’t the only healthcare company expanding in Sacramento; in recent years, more than $18 billion has been invested for Kaiser, Mercy, Sutter, and UC Davis medical expansion projects.

The perks of living in the Sacramento region abound and one thing is crystal clear: it is a good time to be living in California’s capital city.