East Sacramento
East Sacramento is bordered by Capitol City Freeway to the west, the American River to the north and east, and Highway 50 to the south. Built in the early decades of the 20th century, this neighborhood just east of Midtown has a range of charming architectural styles, from the bungalows of the 1920s to the European revival styles of the 1930s and the ranch-style houses of the late ’40s and early ’50s. Lots can range from .12 of an acre to more than a third of an acre. The more modest homes average approximately 1200 square feet, but it isn’t unusual to find some homes with as much as 3500 square feet or more.
McKinley Park is a gem in the neighborhood, featuring rose gardens, community center, cooling pond and tennis courts. East Sac is home to many favorite local restaurants, boutiques, and coffee shops. It is a perfect storm of all the factors that create a good neighborhood: it is close to downtown, the houses are beautiful, and the people are nice. It is like a small, friendly village. There is nothing cookie cutter about it—every street is different.
East Sac is well known for it’s “Fab Forties.” The “Fab Forties” is an area bordered by Folsom Boulevard, J Street, 38th Street and 47th Street. Residents and passer-bys enjoy the impressive homes and tree-canopied streets. This section of East Sacramento has been considered one of the city’s most quintessential and fashionable neighborhoods for generations— and is a prime pick for those who want to live a well-appointed life. Walk through its magnificent blocks, and you’ll spot myriad architectural influences: Tudor and Colonial Revival, Craftsman and Mediterranean are some of the area’s signature styles. You’ll also find nice, wide streets. That’s because the area used to be home to a streetcar network that needed lots of room to accommodate turnaround points.
In addition to its jaw-dropping mansions, the Fab Forties has even more to add to its swagger. While governor of California, Ronald Reagan lived in a 12-bedroom estate on 45th Street. And its picturesque, tree-lined streets made a cameo in the opening credits of American Beauty, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2000. Greta Gerwig’s 2017 Oscar-nominated film, Ladybird, featured many of the Fab Forties estates. The long holiday tradition of impressive light displays is anticipated and enjoyed by neighbors, as well as people that drive in from miles away to marvel at them. Ultimately, the Fab Forties has the elegance and charm that most of us dream of experiencing—and many of its residents can’t imagine ever leaving.
