It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Old Sacramento Waterfront gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Sacramento, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Eshneet with Always Best Care is an honest and trustworthy person. I would highly recommend”
“Eshneet is an extremely down to earth and caring individual! If you or your family”
“This is the best senior care services company in the Sacramento area, and it’s not”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care! Dan, the owner, is such a caring and”
“I’d highly recommend ABC Senior Services when looking for long term care for a loved”
“It’s been wonderful working with Carrie from Always Best Care. She took time to guide”
“Amanda Wild ' she is Great with Me, Helps with ever I Need, Helps my”
“This company is amazing. I would recommend it to everybody. If you have a”
“Your caregivers were superb. It’s not easy to support those at end of life and”
“Carrie was phenomenal in assisting us with finding a place suitable for my mothers needs,”
“We had the pleasure of working with Susan. We had an urgent matter that we”
“I worked with Carrie with Always Best Care to place my dad into a memory”
“I worked with Carrie with Always Best Care to place my dad into a memory”
“Louiscea is always dependable and on time. Goes out of her way to get”
“Lynette Devan has been our caretaker since early January 2024. She is diligent, self-motivated, and”
“I have been with Always Best Care for about four years now, and I’ve always”
“Started working for the company a few months ago, it has been one of the”
“The caregivers are wonderful, particularly Shristi. She is such a gem and she has become”
“Victoria Bourke is a wonderful caregiver. She’s very supportive of my mom and me.”
“Great care for my husband, David Reynolds. We are happy with our caregiver.”
“I was frantic and knew very little about how to care for my father at”
“Tori Burke has been great. She's doing a awesome job helping my mother”
“Grateful for my health aide Shannon. She’s a great listener, always ready to hear my”
“My husband has been with Always Best Care since the end of last year recommended”
“I recently used Always Best Care to help me find a place for elderly mother.”
“Eshneet with Always Best Care is an honest and trustworthy person. I would highly recommend Always Best Care and Eshneet for helping your loved ones find the right senior care.”
“Eshneet is an extremely down to earth and caring individual! If you or your family are in need of some senior assistances, make sure she is your first call!”
“This is the best senior care services company in the Sacramento area, and it’s not even close. They hold themselves and their employees to a high standard and ethics that is rare in this industry. Shoutout to Eshneet, she does fantastic work hustling all around town!”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care! Dan, the owner, is such a caring and genuine human and goes above and beyond to serve the seniors in our community. I've also gotten to know Eshneet and she is wonderful to work with. There's no company I trust more to provide great quality and affordable in-home services to people I love.”
“I’d highly recommend ABC Senior Services when looking for long term care for a loved one. Carrie was caring, personable and knowledgeable. She took the time to get to know us and our needs to find a good fit for my mom. She was always available to assist us and made a daunting task manageable. God bless ABC Services and Carrie for the vital service they provided in our time of need.”
“It’s been wonderful working with Carrie from Always Best Care. She took time to guide my wife and me through the process of finding an affordable solution for my elderly father and placing him in a loving care home in the area. She also guided us through the VA process. Thank you Carrie and team for the wonderful support during a challenging situation.”
“Amanda Wild ' she is Great with Me, Helps with ever I Need, Helps my companion around the house, she is a very ,kind & giving person, your lucky to have her, she should move up in your company very Quickly, thank you for her Services, Chris Keane.”
“This company is amazing. I would recommend it to everybody. If you have a loved one your helper is available, dependable, loving. You will feel so comfortable knowing your loved one is in great hands.”
“Your caregivers were superb. It’s not easy to support those at end of life and the caregivers we had met us exactly where we were every day, blended in with our family, found ways to help us by identifying exactly what we needed and just taking care of it as opposed to waiting for us to delegate tasks. This was a huge blessing to us in our grief during a time of great difficulty. My dad had terminal agitation which took time to titrate medications to get comfortable. The caregivers moved with dad with grace and expertise to help him and us until we were able to get him settled and comfortable. This takes skill….and it showed in every way. From their soft tone of voice, redirection and agreeable attitude, flowing with his confusion and helping him feel safe until he settled. Not to mention a warm hand on our shoulder when we needed it, a snack or a drink when they recognized that we may have forgotten to take of ourselves. Zac, Tristin, Britni and Gabby were all a gift to our family as well as the organization they work for. Often times, caregivers are the lowest paid employees in their organizations. Please know, these outstanding individuals at the bedside supporting families are the face and heart of the work you do. Take good care of these amazing humans. Much love to ALL you for what you do in your community and keep up the good work! ❤️”
“Carrie was phenomenal in assisting us with finding a place suitable for my mothers needs, I am thankful so much. I would recommend Carrie to anyone who could benefit from her help.”
“We had the pleasure of working with Susan. We had an urgent matter that we really didn't know how to handle or how long we needed assistance, but she was so accommodating and incredibly helpful every step of the way. She was very kind, knowledgeable, caring, and responded quickly any time we contacted her. We truly felt like she cared about us and helping us in this time of need. We are so thankful for her!”
“I worked with Carrie with Always Best Care to place my dad into a memory care facility and I can honestly say I don’t think could have made it through such a difficult transition without her help. She helped me get through one of the most challenging times of my life. The compassion and care she showed me and my father was incredible. Going through the process of finding a place for your parent with a memory issue is so difficult and I highly recommend working with a professional. I recommend Carrie and Always Best Care to everyone I hear is trying to navigate that process. Thank you for everything you have done for me and my father.”
“I worked with Carrie with Always Best Care to place my dad into a memory care facility and I can honestly say I don’t think could have made it through such a difficult transition without her help. She helped me get through one of the most challenging times of my life. The compassion and care she showed me and my father was incredible. Going through the process of finding a place for your parent with a memory issue is so difficult and I highly recommend working with a professional. I recommend Carrie and Always Best Care to everyone I hear is trying to navigate that process. Thank you for everything you have done for me and my father.”
“Louiscea is always dependable and on time. Goes out of her way to get cleaning problems done.”
“Lynette Devan has been our caretaker since early January 2024. She is diligent, self-motivated, and VERY competent. She loves to talk and entertain my Dad - 96 - listening patiently to his sometimes disjointed stories and fascinating him with her own! She loves to be active, always anticipating our needs with vacuuming, laundry, food prep, etc. WITHOUT being asked! We greatly value her work ethic and loving care. Always Best responded to our request with this caretaker after a bad experience with another agency's caretaker who was content to play with his phone whenever he could and only doing tasks when asked/directed to do so - and then sullenly. Jim & Ray Moitoza”
“I have been with Always Best Care for about four years now, and I’ve always been impressed with the quality and professionalism of the caregivers they have sent me. As a disabled veteran, I appreciate a company that I can count on for short term and long-term care. My current caregiver, Louiscea D. is exceptional, trustworthy and always punctual. Always Best Care gets my five stars.”
“Started working for the company a few months ago, it has been one of the best companies hand down that I have worked for since moving to the area. They honestly care about you as a human they work with your schedule and try very hard to accommodate you. I can’t say enough about Dixie she is so sweet and caring she is the meaning of test others how you would want to be. lol as long as she is there I will be as well????”
“The caregivers are wonderful, particularly Shristi. She is such a gem and she has become an important part of my life for me and my family. She is caring and considerate as well as efficient. The billing department however needs improvement.”
“Victoria Bourke is a wonderful caregiver. She’s very supportive of my mom and me. She’s flexible in her schedule and always has a smile!”
“Great care for my husband, David Reynolds. We are happy with our caregiver.”
“I was frantic and knew very little about how to care for my father at his home. Fortunately, I found Always Best Care in Rocklin, CA. Carrie spoke to me about their services on the phone and I started crying. For the first time, I felt there was a path to follow to provide the best care for my dad. Then, I was apprehensive about bringing strangers into my dad's house. Well, Shonda came for the weekend shift and I knew instantly she was a great fit. She was kind and gentle with Dad, but firm when needed. She took care of his feeding and medication needs. I loved her. Then along came Gabrielle, Gabby for short. She was on the Monday-Friday shift. At first I thought she was too young for this responsibility. But, wow, she was awesome. She took care of Dad and his feeding, medicine, movement needs. And, without me having to direct her, she cleaned dishes, took out the garbage, vacuumed, while he was sleeping. They were better care givers than I could be. What a blessing these ladies were at a time when my father and I were the most vulnerable. Thank you Always Best Care for being there.”
“Tori Burke has been great. She's doing a awesome job helping my mother with all her needs. Tori has a very special personality that makes my mom feel very comfortable. Tori has made this past year so much easier. Thank you for sending Tori to us. Tori is a definite 5 star. Secret word OCEAN”
“Grateful for my health aide Shannon. She’s a great listener, always ready to hear my stories, wants and needs. Thanks for sending me off to dialysis with a smile and waiting for transport to arrive.”
“My husband has been with Always Best Care since the end of last year recommended by the VA. The office staff is friendly, they answer phone messages quickly and work with our schedule to assign a health aide. We love our current health aide Shannon Rauson, as does our dog Luna. She preps meals, does light housecleaning around my husbands hospital bed, and washes my husband to get him ready for his dialysis day. Thank you Always Best Care.”
“I recently used Always Best Care to help me find a place for elderly mother. I worked with Kathee and she set up appointments for me to visit and find a place for my mother. Kathee was knowledgeable and Professional. Every home I visited was vetted in a nice neighborhood and home with the proper staff at had. She was great to work with and I definitely would recommend Always Best Care to anyone that is in needs of their service.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Belle Cooledge Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Firehouse Restaurant or visit Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Sacramento, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Sacramento, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Sacramento, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
‘Tis the season for holiday cheer.Whether you’re a Sacramento resident or visiting family and friends in the capital region, there’s plenty of things to do and see this holiday season.Here are just some of the fun, festive local events in store:Are you ready for the “largest holiday light show” in Sacramento?The Imaginarium is celebrating a decade of holiday joy at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blv...
‘Tis the season for holiday cheer.
Whether you’re a Sacramento resident or visiting family and friends in the capital region, there’s plenty of things to do and see this holiday season.
Here are just some of the fun, festive local events in store:
Are you ready for the “largest holiday light show” in Sacramento?
The Imaginarium is celebrating a decade of holiday joy at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento.
In addition to five million lights, the event offers carnival rides, games, ice skating and a circus that performs three times per day.
Admission costs $24, or $19 for children, seniors and military veterans. Tickets are available for purchase on the Imaginarium website.
The Imaginarium is open through Jan. 5.
Ice skating is available at various locations this holiday season, giving you plenty of opportunities to glide around a winter wonderland.
You can lace up your skates at the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink, Ali Youssefi Square at Seventh and K streets near Golden 1 Center, through Jan. 20.
Special events include craft days, silent disco nights and donation drives.
The rink is open 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Tickets cost $15 and include rental skates. Admission is $8 for children age 6 and under.
There’s a new ice skating rink in south Sacramento organized by the Florin Road Partnership.
The Winter Fest ice rink is open to the public at 3860 Florin Road from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, until Jan. 11.
Tickets are $12, or $11 for children and seniors, and skate rentals are included.
At special DJ event on Fridays and Saturdays, the price increases to $15 or $12 for children and seniors. The rink is open until Jan. 11.
You can also visit the Folsom Historic District Ice Rink, open at the Historic Folsom Plaza through Jan. 20.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, there are 90-minute sessions available at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
Sessions at 10 a.m., noon and 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. are available Thursday through Sunday.
Tickets are $22 for eventgoers 10 and older, or $18 for younger kids. Firepits with s’mores kits are available for $150 per session.
All tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Grab a Thermos of hot chocolate and cruise through Sacramento-area neighborhoods decked out for the holidays.
You can find lavishly decorated homes in communities including Carmichael, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Natomas South Sacramento and, of course, East Sacramento’s Fabulous 40s area.
Need a guide to where all the best Christmas and holiday light displays are?
Check out this interactive map with must-visit locations throughout the Sacramento area.
Stock up on holiday presents at Historic Folsom’s 56th annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair.
This juried craft fair features 200-plus artisan crafters offering unique, handmade items, plus live musicians, face painting and food vendors.
The event, which takes place on four blocks of Sutter Street and the public plaza, runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.
Admission is free. You can park at 905 Leidesdorff St. for a $5 cash donation.
Cheer on Santa Claus and watch floats, vintage cars and marching bands during holiday parades in the Sacramento area.
Here are some local celebrations to check out:
Elk Grove Illumination Holiday Festival
Galt Lighting of The Night Parade
Sacramento Santa Parade
Rio Linda Elverta Christmas Light Parade
Want to warm up with a gingerbread martini or hot toddie?
Several Sacramento bars serve up drinks amid Christmas vibes and holly, jolly holiday decor. Some establishments even have outdoor decorations.
Here are some places in Sacramento to soak up some Christmas spirit:
What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email [email protected].
This story was originally published December 7, 2024, 9:29 AM.
READ MOREOur reporters are on the ground in Oroville and Sacramento covering the aftermath of the shooting at Feather River Adventist, a school in rural Butte County. Read the latest coverage here.Expand AllOROVILLEA Northern California community bowed their heads around a towering tree bedecked in jumbo-sized ornaments to pray Friday for a Christmas miracle.From the elderly to young, hundreds grasped hands as a Butte County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement chaplain in downtown Oroville led prayer...
Our reporters are on the ground in Oroville and Sacramento covering the aftermath of the shooting at Feather River Adventist, a school in rural Butte County. Read the latest coverage here.
OROVILLE
A Northern California community bowed their heads around a towering tree bedecked in jumbo-sized ornaments to pray Friday for a Christmas miracle.
From the elderly to young, hundreds grasped hands as a Butte County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement chaplain in downtown Oroville led prayers and called upon God to fulfill their wishes: the full recovery of two kindergartners, ages 5 and 6 years old, who are fighting for their lives at a Sacramento-area hospital after a shooting Wednesday at a private, faith-based elementary school.
The vigil was not meant to express grief, as is often the case after a shooting.
“Tonight is a night of positivity,” said vigil organizer Stephanie Bever, who’s a grandmother to 13. “We’re going to lift those babies up. We came expecting miracles, and we won’t leave till we get them.”
Elias Wolford, 5, and Roman Mendez, 6, just returned to class after lunch recess about 1 p.m. Wednesday at Feather River Adventist School when a gunman fired a handgun before turning the weapon on himself. One boy was airlifted to a trauma center, while another was taken in an ambulance.
Both boys underwent multiple surgeries, including on Friday, and were listed in critical condition that evening, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.
“Please continue to keep them both in your thoughts and prayers,” the Sheriff’s Office said online.
A lone gunman, identified by sheriff’s officials as Glenn Litton, 56, booked an appointment at the school for a meeting with its principal to discuss enrolling his grandson. But the man did not have a grandson and had no intentions to enroll a student, giving the school a fake name to set up the meeting, Honea said.
“As it turns out, that was all a lie,” Honea said of the gunman’s “ruse” to set up the school meeting.
Litton appeared to target the school based on its affiliation with the Seventh-day Adventist faith, Honea said. Litton had also “researched” a school affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Red Bluff but appeared to choose the Feather River Adventist campus, along Highway 70 between Palermo and Gridley, about 60 miles north of Sacramento.
The tragedy sent fear and pain through the Seventh-day Adventist Church, through Butte County and beyond.
Vigil attendee Denise Cordova said her daughter called her to refrain from attending church after learning of the shooter’s apparent motive. But Cordova did attend and recalled how everyone, despite not being Adventist, prayed for the two little boys.
Butte County law enforcement chaplain Kenny Malone prayed for God to guide the hands of the surgeons and hospital staff in order to heal the boys.
“It’s a miracle that they’re alive,” Malone said. “But God, we’re going to ask you for another miracle of complete recovery.”
The families are seeking help to pay medical costs for both children. Elias’ grandmother established a GoFundMe while Roman’s family sought money to pay for medical costs on a separate fundraiser platform.
This story was originally published December 6, 2024, 5:41 PM.
The California Capitol building in Sacramento was evacuated due to a threat. | Rich Pedroncelli for POLITICOBy Lindsey Holden12/06/2024 01:55 PM ESTUpdated: 12/06/2024 06:15 PM ESTSACRAMENTO, California — The California Capitol building in Sacramento and other legislative workspaces have reopened after being evacuated on Friday morning due to an emailed threat.A memo from Lia Lopez, Assembly chief administrativ...
The California Capitol building in Sacramento was evacuated due to a threat. | Rich Pedroncelli for POLITICO
12/06/2024 01:55 PM EST
Updated: 12/06/2024 06:15 PM EST
SACRAMENTO, California — The California Capitol building in Sacramento and other legislative workspaces have reopened after being evacuated on Friday morning due to an emailed threat.
A memo from Lia Lopez, Assembly chief administrative officer for the Rules Committee, that POLITICO obtained said law enforcement has “completed a thorough assessment and sweep” of the Capitol building as well as the nearby “swing space” offices and Legislative Office Building.
“Staff may continue to work remotely for the rest of the day, and return to the office on Monday,” Lopez wrote. “Staff who need to report back to work in person today are cleared to do so.”
California Highway Patrol spokesperson John Ortega said in a statement on Friday afternoon the threat was “thoroughly investigated and determined to be unfounded” after a search of the Capitol and office buildings.
“No suspicious items were located,” Ortega said. “The buildings have been reopened at the direction of the Joint Rules Committee.”
Lopez this morning sent a memo to all assemblymembers and Assembly staff urging them to leave the Capitol and legislative spaces as “law enforcement is actively working to determine if the threat is credible.” Senators and Senate staff received a similar message, sent just before 9 a.m. from Sheila Braverman, deputy secretary for Senate Human Resources.
The Legislature is on recess until Jan. 6, meaning most lawmakers are likely away from Sacramento in their home districts. Gov. Gavin Newsom is in Los Angeles for a Democratic Governors Association meeting.
CHP, which is responsible for securing the Capitol, dispatched officers on bicycles to circle the area and prevent staffers and tourists from entering. Police brought dogs into the buildings to help with the sweeps.
Ortega earlier in the day said the agency was the only one involved in the investigation. Ortega declined to describe the threat, and he wouldn’t say when it was received.
Tenth Street outside the Capitol was already blocked off in preparation for Sunday’s California International Marathon.
While some people on the ground only felt the alert on their phones, some people working in Sacramento's high rises felt much more.More VideosSACRAMENTO, Calif. — Despite being hundreds of miles away from the epicenter, Thursday morning's powerful earthquakes rattled California's valley, including downtown Sacramento.Almost any analogy ...
While some people on the ground only felt the alert on their phones, some people working in Sacramento's high rises felt much more.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Despite being hundreds of miles away from the epicenter, Thursday morning's powerful earthquakes rattled California's valley, including downtown Sacramento.
Almost any analogy doesn't quite sum up the stomach-churning feeling when the earth decided to shake in a big way while inside a big building.
"People were looking out the windows and the blinds were shaking," said downtown worker Melinda Steinert. "All of a sudden, it felt like you were on the deck of a pitching ship."
Steinert experienced the quake on the 13th floor of a 21-story structure, but closer to the ground on the sixth, it was no more comfortable.
"All of us kind of stood up, and we were looking around at each other, and then we went to the window," said downtown worker Steven Garcia. "Some people were like, 'I'm getting out of here' and just like left. I guess a lot of people left when that happened."
While some people felt some sense of security being in either newer or retrofitted buildings, for others it was much different. At this construction site, some of the workers had to evacuate.
"We all got the call, and they told us to get out of there, or back down," said downtown construction worker Hector Rodriguez. "They're inspecting the elevators for cracks or any of the welts broken."
While she may not work in construction, structural integrity was also top of mind for downtown worker Cheyenne Pham. She says her work building was constructed in the 1970s.
"This was like two whole minutes, so the anxiety was like, when is it going to stop?" said Pham. "The immediate thought was 'When was the last time the structure was refurbished?'"
Fortunately, her structure withstood the shake, as did all others in Sacramento. While it may have come and gone in a matter of minutes, the earthquake produced memories that won't soon be forgotten.
"I started texting my husband, and then I started texting my family, and I'm like, 'Hey, we're in an earthquake right now,'" Pham said. "So it was a little worrisome. I just wanted it to stop."
Watch more from ABC10: Major earthquake hits off Humboldt County coast in Northern California
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HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. — A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck in Humboldt County Thursday morning, prompting a short-lived tsunami warning stretching from Oregon down to around Santa Cruz.The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake happened around 10:45 a.m. and was detected 62 miles southwest of Ferndale, about five hours northwest of Sacramento.People reported they felt the earthquake as far south as Monterey in the Central Coast an...
HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. — A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck in Humboldt County Thursday morning, prompting a short-lived tsunami warning stretching from Oregon down to around Santa Cruz.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake happened around 10:45 a.m. and was detected 62 miles southwest of Ferndale, about five hours northwest of Sacramento.
People reported they felt the earthquake as far south as Monterey in the Central Coast and north as Medford near the Oregon and California state line, according to the USGS "Did You Feel It?" self-reporting tool.
The USGS said Eureka and surrounding areas possibly have moderate to heavy damage due to the earthquake.
The earthquake was reportedly felt in the Central Valley in Merced, Modesto and Stockton, but the intensity was "weak," according to the USGS. The intensity was also "weak" for reports in Sacramento, Elk Grove and other areas in the Sacramento region.
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Videos sent to ABC10 show objects swaying, like light fixtures, or pool water sloshing back and forth.
A man named Steven told ABC10 he was working on the sixth floor of the California Natural Resources building when the earthquake happened.
"It wasn't anything too intense like if you were on the ground level in a regular house, you can really hear things shaking and feel things shaking, but we didn't have that in our building," he said. "Some people did feel it maybe more than others and they felt the need to evacuate too, so not everybody felt really safe."
He also said he saw construction workers stopping work and putting safety first before resuming construction.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10 | California earthquake captured on video
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