Best Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Hangouts Near Apartments in Sacramento
When you move into new apartments in Sacramento, one of the first things you start to notice is how every corner of the city seems to have its own little personality. Some streets hum quietly with neighborhood charm, others buzz late into the night. It’s the kind of city that rewards curiosity — where finding a new café or a tucked-away restaurant can easily become the highlight of your week.
If you’re living near Sac State, you’re right in the middle of it all. From cozy breakfast spots to laid-back patios and study-perfect coffee shops, there’s always somewhere nearby worth checking out. Here are a few local favorites that make Sacramento feel a little more like home — especially when you live at The Crossings.
Restaurants to Satisfy Every Craving
Some days call for something quick, others for a long meal with friends. Either way, Sacramento’s food scene doesn’t disappoint. You’ll find options for every taste and budget just a short drive from campus.
If you like brunch, you might find yourself returning to Orphan Breakfast House more than once — their pancakes are a quiet sort of comfort. For fresh and healthy choices, Pushkin’s offers gluten-free and vegan-friendly dishes without ever feeling like you’re giving anything up. And when the craving for something rich hits, midtown’s Zócalo serves modern Mexican cuisine in an atmosphere that’s almost too beautiful to leave.
It’s nice, too, how Sacramento’s food scene never feels pretentious. Even the trendier restaurants still have that casual ease — a sense that no one’s in a hurry, that a long conversation over dinner is perfectly acceptable.
Local Coffee Shops Worth Your Study Break
When you’re balancing classes, studying, and everything else, coffee tends to become a small ritual — a pause in the day that resets your focus. The good news is, Sacramento has plenty of options within minutes of The Crossings.
Temple Coffee is an easy favorite. The atmosphere is quiet without being sterile, and there’s always this faint aroma of roasted beans that lingers even after you leave. Old Soul Co. feels a bit cozier, tucked away with a mix of locals, students, and people who seem to have been coming there for years. If you’re after a spot where you can open your laptop and stay awhile, Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters has a laid-back vibe that makes productivity feel easier somehow.
Most of these places are close enough that you could stop by on your way to class or settle in on a Sunday morning with no agenda at all. It’s a small thing, but having cafés that feel familiar makes the city feel smaller — in a good way.
Hangouts and Hidden Corners Around Sacramento
When you need a change of pace from classes or studying, the city offers no shortage of escapes. The American River Parkway is perfect for a jog, bike ride, or just a quiet walk when you want a bit of distance from everything. Downtown Commons — or DOCO, as most call it — is full of restaurants, shops, and open spaces for people-watching. It’s also a fun place to bring visiting friends when you want to show off what Sacramento has to offer beyond campus.
Closer to home, McKinley Park is a favorite for reading under the trees or catching up with a friend between errands. The rose garden there, especially in spring, is a reminder that sometimes the best parts of city life are the slower ones.
Life at The Crossings: Close to Everything
What makes The Crossings such a great home base is how connected it is to all of this. You can head downtown for dinner, grab coffee before class, or unwind by the river — all without spending half your day commuting. When you live here, Sacramento feels accessible in a way that’s hard to explain until you experience it.
And after a full day exploring, coming home to a place that’s comfortable and modern just rounds it out. The amenities make it easy to relax or study, depending on your mood, while the location keeps you close to the restaurants, trails, and coffee shops that make daily life better. If you’re still searching for apartments in Sacramento that strike that balance between connection and calm, this might be the place that does it.
Take a look at available floor plans or schedule a tour to see The Crossings for yourself. It’s not just about where you live — it’s about how easily you can make the most of where you are.
