Sacramento, California, USA

Sacramento is California's state capital and a historic city with deep roots in the gloriously wild California Gold Rush. Set in the middle of the central Sacramento Valley, this metropolitan area transitions quickly from urban development to suburbs and on to open farm country to the north and south, with forests, mountains and even ski slopes situated to the east. The rolling hills and verdant valleys of wine country unfurl an equally short distance to the west making this governmental hub a prime base for area exploration. But Sacramento has more than just location to its credit. Home to an atmospheric Old Town, a clutch of museums and a scenic riverfront area there's good cause to linger around between forays out to nearby attractions.