As it happened once we visited them we didn't feel that it would be quite the right fit for us so we ended up not taking a puppy from them. However, it did afford us an overnight break away in the Northern Californian city which neither of us had been to before.
Sacramento is the political seat and State Capitol.
This building is the Governors Mansion. Built in 1877 it served as the home for the State Governor from 1803 until 1982. The last State Governor to live in the house was probably also the most famous, being Ronald Regan who vacated when he became President. It was decided after this that the home didn't afford the modern amenities and security features required of a high profile State Governor which is why the state decided to sell the property.
You get the distinct impression that Sacramento is only the State Capitol for historical reasons and that it's perhaps less appropriate nowadays and even a little embarrassing for the State. The city has certainly seen better times with a strong migration away from the downtown core. Of course, the suburbs and the neighbouring towns are affluent and attractive, all that you would expect of Northern California but the city of Sacramento itself was quite a surprise. The photo below shows one of the main streets downtown, this seemed to be as busy as it gets. There was a real lack of people, traffic, life, atmosphere. There were plenty of vagrants though and if you were thinking of starting up a business you had ample boarded up shops and offices to choose from.
The Church of Scientology has a large base here
The Memorial Auditorium
There is a large attractive city park right in the middle of downtown upon the Western end of which sits the Capitol Building. This is a view of Capitol Park.
Just inside the park sits a large, moving memorial to the citizens of California lost in the Vietnam war.
More views around the park
This is a view down the central promenade to the Capitol Building
Views of the city from Capitol Park
We were particularly impressed by the number of orange trees growing around the city. In Capitol Park the central promenade was lined with orange trees all the way down either side.
We then walked around to the front of the Capitol Building, which is architecturally based on the Capitol Building in Washington and was completed in 1874.
After seeing the Capitol Building and legislative buildings we headed towards the 'old town' which is located on the banks of the American River on the edge of the downtown core.
On the way we see 'Tower Bridge' which was built over the river in 1935 in a late art deco style.
One of the sadder planning aspects of Sacramento was the construction of Interstate 5 right through downtown. It divided the historic district from the modern downtown core and now means that access between the two is via unattractive concrete overpasses and dark unwelcoming underpasses - not to mention the constant roar of heavy traffic.
However, once in the old town it is clear it has been preserved and maintained and whilst something of a tourist trap was a pleasant spot to stop for a drink and appreciate the riverside location.
This old steam boat has been converted into a floating hotel
More views around the old town
On our way back up towards our hotel we pass the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
Plus an old red brick early high-rise office tower
And finally this old theater on K St which clearly hails from more prosperous times when people actually came into the city to be entertained.
Lastly, a quick video clip taken at Sacramento Airport while we were waiting for our plane home. It's actually the audio that is interesting - the security announcement broadcast every few minutes and the dialogue is typical laidback California style. The announcement starts at about 13 seconds.
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