Are you considering a move to or within the beautiful Sacramento Valley region? The capital of California offers a vibrant and diverse cultural experience, but don’t overlook the many towns and cities near Sacramento! The greater Sacramento area is a mosaic of communities, each with its own unique charm and appeal. From picturesque agricultural communities with small-town charm to exciting cities with bustling downtowns and outdoor recreation, here’s a look at the cities and towns near Sacramento worth visiting or calling home.
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Large Cities Near Sacramento
Ready to explore the closest cities to Sacramento? Here are the 11 cities near Sacramento, California, with a population of 70,000 or more within a 45-mile radius.
Arden-Arcade – 8.6 Miles from Sacramento
- County: Sacramento
- Population: 94,659
- Municipality type: CDP
Arden-Arcade isn’t even an incorporated city or town, but it’s home to close to 100,000 people. This city near Sacramento is the second-largest CDP in the entire state!
Arden-Arcade is a shopper’s paradise due to its numerous retail hubs, including the upscale Arden Fair Mall and Arden Way’s antique shops. It also has an abundance of beautiful parks, making it a great place to live for families and nature lovers.
Top Attraction: Arden Fair, one of the top destinations for fashion in Greater Sacramento with 150+ retailers plus dining options.
Carmichael – 10.7 Miles from Sacramento
- County: Sacramento
- Population: 79,793
- Municipality type: CDP
Known for its strong sense of community and excellent outdoor recreation, Carmichael boasts family-friendly neighborhoods and frequent community events. The area offers excellent schools for families and it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with numerous cycling routes and the American River Parkway, a crown jewel of Sacramento County. This city near Sacramento, California, is actually a CDP and just 10 miles from downtown Sacramento.
Top Attraction: Ancil Hoffman Park in the American River Parkway is one of the most visited parks in the region. Enjoy golfing, hiking, and picnicking at this riverfront nature preserve amid the ancient oaks. Stop by the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, an award-winning education center with a dozen indigenous animals and a replica Nisenan summer village.
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Rancho Cordova – 14.4 Miles from Sacramento
- County: Sacramento
- Population: 79,332
- Municipality type: city
Rancho Cordova is one of the largest cities close to Sacramento that’s actually an incorporated city. Like many communities in the Central Valley, Rancho Cordova is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The city boasts six miles of American River shoreline and 26 miles of pedestrian and bike paths.
Top Attraction: The Barrel District is a fun Rancho Cordova neighborhood known for local craft beer, mead, and hard kombucha.
Citrus Heights – 14.7 Miles from Sacramento
- County: Sacramento
- Population: 87,583
- Municipality type: city
Citrus Heights is the fourth largest of towns and cities near Sacramento, California, within a 15-mile radius. In 1997, it became Sacramento County’s first new city in more than 50 years. Citrus Heights is 14 square miles with 26 miles of creeks and a family-friendly atmosphere.
The young city offers many amenities for residents, including public art, a community garden, the Citrus Heights Community Center, and 25 parks! The Sunrise Recreation and Park District provides recreational activities and classes for adults, seniors, and children.
Top Attraction: The crown jewel of Citrus Heights is Rusch Community Park, with outdoor skating and biking spots, basketball and pickleball courts, three playgrounds, two swimming pools, and more. Be sure to visit the historic Rusch Home & Gardens with a stunning rose garden.
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Elk Grove – 16.5 Miles from Sacramento
- County: Sacramento
- Population: 176,124
- Municipality type: city
One of several large cities south of Sacramento, Elk Grove is the second-largest city in Sacramento County after Sacramento. It’s also one of the fastest-growing cities in the region with a population that has grown a whopping 209% in the past twenty years.
Elk Grove is well-known for its award-winning schools, extensive park system, and strong sense of community. Throughout its 170-year history, agriculture has been a big part of the city’s economy and culture. It’s still home to many cattle ranches, dairy farms, and vineyards.
Top Attractions: Sky River Casino off Highway 99 is one of the main draws in Elk Grove, with 100,000 square feet of gaming space, 80 table games, and more than 2,100 slot machines. The lakeside Elk Grove Regional Park is a vibrant community space with two islands, dog parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and an aquatic center.
Roseville – 20.8 Miles from Sacramento
- County: Placer
- Population: 147,773
- Municipality type: city
Roseville is one of the largest cities north of Sacramento. This Placer County city is a major regional shopping destination with one of the country’s largest auto malls, the upscale Fountains at Roseville, and the Westfield Galleria at Roseville.
Roseville is known not only for its shopping but its diverse economy and job opportunities and high quality of life. The city offers regular community events at the Vernon Street Town Square and provides municipal electricity service.
Top Attractions: The Roseville Golfland Sunsplash amusement park is one of the region’s best waterparks with 30 rides and attractions, including award-winning mini golf. Roseville’s 152-acre Maidu Regional Park is another top destination with a small museum and historic site.
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Rocklin – 22.7 Miles from Sacramento
- County: Placer
- Population: 71,601
- Municipality type: city
Another northern suburb of Sacramento, Rocklin offers residents great schools, a family-friendly community, and rapidly expanding dining and entertainment options. This city near Sacramento boasts 38 excellent parks and outdoor recreation, attracting those who enjoy an active lifestyle. Rocklin’s Quarry District is the heart of the city, with popular events like the annual Hot Chili and Cool Cars festival, plus live music.
Top Attraction: Quarry Park Adventures is a 160-year-old granite quarry transformed into an outdoor adventure park with zip lines, rock climbing, and more, perfect for a day of family fun.
Folsom – 24.3 Miles from Sacramento
- County: Sacramento
- Population: 80,454
- Municipality type: city
Folsom offers a high standard of living attributed to its family-centric neighborhoods, quality schools, and a historic town center. Families and outdoor enthusiasts love Folsom thanks to its proximity to several lakes, state parks, and biking and hiking trails.
Top Attractions: The Folsom Historic District is a window to the past with its preserved Gold Rush-era buildings, now housing charming boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area surrounds the picturesque Folsom Lake with swimming areas and beaches, dog-friendly trails and swimming spots, fishing, skiing, boating, and hiking.
Vacaville – 33.8 Miles from Sacramento
- County: Solano
- Population: 102,386
- Municipality type: city
Vacaville is the closest city to Sacramento in Solano County. Situated in the rolling hills and fertile farmland of Solano County on the edge of the Sacramento Valley, Vacaville is famous not only for its agricultural roots but its thriving life sciences industry. Its robust economy, quality of life, affordability, and location between the Bay Area and Sacramento make it an attractive community for commuters and families.
Top Attraction: The Vacaville Premium Outlets is a shopper’s paradise with designer stores and entertainment options.
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Yuba City – 42.3 Miles from Sacramento
- County: Sutter
- Population: 70,117
- Municipality type: city
Yuba City is the cultural and commercial hub of Yuba and Sutter counties and the principal city of the Yuba City metro area. Known for its diverse community and agricultural industry, this charming city near Sacramento offers a slower pace of life. The Yuba-Sutter area boasts locally grown food, a rich history, a thriving art scene, and award-winning wineries.
Many visitors are surprised to learn that Yuba City has one of the largest Punjabi Sikh populations outside of India. This has led to Yuba City’s nickname, “Little Punjab.” The gorgeous Sikh temple, or the Yuba City Gurdwara, was constructed in 1969 as the first built in the United States in the Indo-Persian style of architecture.
Top Attractions: The Sutter Buttes, also known as the “Smallest Mountain Range in the World,” provide a picturesque backdrop for outdoor adventures and nature lovers alike. The Yuba City Certified Farmers Market is a major draw on weekends, while Second Street boasts many historic landmark buildings, including the Romanesque-style Sutter County Hall of Records.
Fairfield – 43.3 Miles from Sacramento
- County: Solano
- Population: 119,881
- Municipality type: city
Fairfield rounds out this list of large cities around Sacramento within a 45-mile radius. This vibrant and family-friendly city is recognized for its convenient location between the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento’s rolling hills. With a rich history dating back to the gold rush, Fairfield offers affordable, safe living with plentiful job opportunities.
Top Attraction: The famous Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield is a top attraction for the young and the young at heart with tours available! You can also tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in the city.
Other Cities Surrounding Sacramento
There 13 small cities around Sacramento CA, with a population of 25,000 to 70,000. This includes West Sacramento, a city near Sacramento just two miles from downtown Sacramento. It’s separated from the city by the Sacramento River and is known for its awesome views of the Old Sacramento Waterfront.
Davis, a western suburb, is the largest city in Yolo County and is known for its golf clubs, country clubs, upscale residential neighborhoods, and the University of California-Davis, which is actually its own town. The Davis Farmers Market is a major draw in the region for locally-grown produce.
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Cities Surrounding Sacramento – 25,000 – 70,000 Population |
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| Municipality | Type | County | Population | Miles from Sacramento |
| West Sacramento | City | Yolo | 53,915 | 2.3 mi |
| Florin | CDP | Sacramento | 52,388 | 10.0 mi |
| North Highlands | CDP | Sacramento | 49,327 | 12.3 mi |
| Foothill Farms | CDP | Sacramento | 35,834 | 12.6 mi |
| Vineyard | CDP | Sacramento | 43,935 | 14.4 mi |
| Davis | City | Yolo | 66,850 | 15.0 mi |
| Fair Oaks | CDP | Sacramento | 32,514 | 15.3 mi |
| Antelope | CDP | Sacramento | 45,770 | 15.6 mi |
| Woodland | City | Yolo | 61,032 | 19.8 mi |
| Orangevale | CDP | Sacramento | 35,569 | 21.1 mi |
| Galt | City | Sacramento | 25,383 | 27.7 mi |
| Lincoln | City | Placer | 49,757 | 30.3 mi |
| Suisun City | City | Solano | 29,518 | 44.7 mi |
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Small Cities & Towns Near Sacramento
There are 27 small cities and towns around Sacramento, with a population of 2,000 to 25,000. You’ll find many small suburbs of Sacramento in Yolo, Solano, Sacramento, Placer, Sutter, and El Dorado counties.
Bordering the College/Glen neighborhood, Rosemont is just ten miles outside downtown Sacramento and known for its outdoor recreation and green spaces. The northern suburb of Rio Linda and its neighbor, Elverta, are popular for families. It’s minutes from attractions like Wake Island Waterpark and the Aerospace Museum of California.
The University of California-Davis is one of the most unique towns near Sacramento. Unlike most colleges and universities, UC Davis is a land-grant university and small suburb all its own with 31,000 undergraduate students and a permanent population of 8,500.
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Small Cities & Towns Near Sacramento – 2,000 to 25,000 Population |
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| Municipality | Type | County | Population | Miles from Sacramento |
| Lemon Hill | CDP | Sacramento | 14,496 | 7.1 mi |
| Parkway | CDP | Sacramento | 15,962 | 9.0 mi |
| Rosemont | CDP | Sacramento | 23,510 | 9.6 mi |
| La Riviera | CDP | Sacramento | 11,252 | 10.2 mi |
| Rio Linda | CDP | Sacramento | 15,944 | 11.7 mi |
| Elverta | CDP | Sacramento | 5,435 | 13.0 mi |
| Mather | CDP | Sacramento | 4,698 | 14.5 mi |
| University of California-Davis | CDP | Yolo | 8,525 | 15.9 mi |
| Gold River | CDP | Sacramento | 7,844 | 17.6 mi |
| Dixon | City | Solano | 18,988 | 23.2 mi |
| Rancho Murieta | CDP | Sacramento | 5,903 | 23.7 mi |
| Granite Bay | CDP | Placer | 21,247 | 24.6 mi |
| Loomis | Town | Placer | 6,836 | 25.2 mi |
| Hartley | CDP | Solano | 2,430 | 30.6 mi |
| Winters | City | Yolo | 7,115 | 30.9 mi |
| Auburn | City | Placer | 13,776 | 33.2 mi |
| Cameron Park | CDP | El Dorado | 19,171 | 33.5 mi |
| North Auburn | CDP | Placer | 13,452 | 35.4 mi |
| Shingle Springs | CDP | El Dorado | 3,710 | 36.2 mi |
| Esparto | CDP | Yolo | ~3,200 | 37.9 mi |
| Auburn Lake Trails | CDP | El Dorado | 3,495 | 40.8 mi |
| Meadow Vista | CDP | Placer | 3,263 | 41.7 mi |
| Diamond Springs | CDP | El Dorado | 11,332 | 43.9 mi |
| Rio Vista | City | Solano | 10,005 | 44.1 mi |
| Placerville | City | El Dorado | 10,747 | 45.0 mi |
| Sutter | CDP | Sutter | 2,789 | 49.0 mi |
| Colfax | City | Placer | 1,995 | 49.5 mi |
Major Cities Around Sacramento
Sacramento is Northern California’s fourth most populous city and just 80 miles to the Bay Area and two hours to Reno, Nevada. Here are major cities near Sacramento CA.
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Major Cities Near Sacramento CA |
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| City | Population | Miles from Sacramento |
| Stockton, CA | 320,000 | 48 mi |
| Oakland, CA | 440,000 | 82 mi |
| San Francisco, CA | 874,000 | 88 mi |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 178,000 | 97 mi |
| San Jose, CA | 1,000,000 | 119 mi |
| Reno, NV | 264,000 | 132 mi |
| Fresno, CA | 542,000 | 170 mi |
Does one of these cities near Sacramento sound perfect for you? If you’re moving to or within the Sacramento area, Mother Lode Van & Storage is ready to help. Call our award-winning Sacramento movers at (916) 631-4285 for a free, personalized moving quote today!
