Sacramento is the capital of California and the seat and largest city of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers in Northern California's Sacramento Valley. Its estimated population as of 2019 makes it the sixth largest city in California.  It is the seat of the state’s Legislature and governor, making it the state’s political center and a hub for lobbying and think tanks. The city is also the cultural and economic core of the Sacramento metropolitan area. 

Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga named the river in the current city “Rio de los Sacramentos” when he encountered it on his expedition in 1808. A Spanish writer on the expedition wrote, “The air was like champagne, and (the Spaniards) drank deep of it, drank in the beauty around them. ‘¡Es como el sagrado sacramento!’ (It's like the Blessed Sacrament),” referring to the Catholic sacrament of the Eucharist. The name of the river was later shortened to Sacramento and used for the city.

Image for City of Sacramento City Council

City Council

The Sacramento City Council consists of a mayor, elected by all city voters, and eight councilmembers, elected to represent separate districts. Generally, the City Council meets on Tuesday at 2 p.m. and/or 5 p.m.

Image for City of Sacramento Planning and Design Commission

Planning and Design Commission

Planning and Design Commission members spend their four-year terms planning goals and policies for directing and managing future growth and development. Meetings are typically held the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

Recent Announcements

→ View All

Data Report: How the City responded to homelessness Feb. 3-9

The City of Sacramento has released its weekly progress report for the Citys Incident Management Team responding to homelessness. From Feb. 3-9, the City of Sacramento received 696 calls to 311 customer service related to unsheltered individuals. Through the work of the IMT, 761 calls were closed, meaning that either the issue was remedied, compliance was achieved, [...] The post …
02/13/2025

Tracking down leaks: How a conservation specialist helps homeowners save water

On a Thursday morning like any other, Phillip Berkley pulled up to a home in the College Glen neighborhood, ready to investigate. As one of three water conservation representatives for the Citys Department of Utilities, he specializes in tracking down elusive leaks and helping homeowners save water. Our team inspects an average of 50 leaks [...] The post Tracking down …
02/11/2025

Leaf season is over. Here’s how to manage yard waste and household junk pickup

Wondering what to do with your yard waste now that leaf season is over? The final day to put out leaf piles for collection was Feb. 3. The City of Sacramento's leaf season crews are completing their final round of claw collections, covering more than 93 city zones and collecting over 10,000 tons of yard [...] The post Leaf season …
02/10/2025

Related News

→ View All

California Local Pin Marker From CapPublicRadio...

02/10/2025
Read on to learn how a $5.85 million state grant is funding a City of Sacramento pilot program to place up to 100 encampment households into apartments.

California Local Pin Marker From CapPublicRadio...

02/07/2025
Read on for more information about how the City of Sacramento works against gravity to convey water from storm drains on rainy days.

California Local Pin Marker From The Sacramento Bee...

02/05/2025
Read on to learn more about the Capital Area Development Authority plans to build affordable housing on R Street in Sacramento.

California Local Pin Marker From The Sacramento Bee...

02/03/2025
Read on to learn more about the alleged attempt to bribe former candidate for Sacramento Mayor Flojaune Cofer.

California Local Pin Marker From The Sacramento Bee...

02/03/2025
The City of Sacramento released renderings for a planned new bridge over the American River. Read on for more information.
Select Facebook Feed From Menu