sacramento: where the coffee tastes like foggy mornings

just got back from sacramento and wow, that city clings to your socks like that weird friend who never leaves. i was there for a week, mostly chasing the ghost of a perfect cappuccino. turns out, they don't sell espresso machines at the airport. who knew?

the weather? oh man, it's the kind of cold that sneaks in your bones and whispers 'why did you leave the couch?'. i just checked and it's currently playing hide-and-seek with the sun, hovering around that temp where your breath hangs in the air like a tiny ghost. hope you like that kind of thing. the humidity? 85%? feels like the air's giving you a damp hug whether you ask for it or not. perfect for drowning your sorrows in a cup of joe, which is exactly what i did most days.

someone told me that temple coffee makes the best pour-over in sacramento, and they weren't lying. the barista looked like he hadn't slept since 2012, but the coffee was pure magic.

i overheard that the sunday farmers market in midtown is where you see the city's real face. flannel, dogs the size of small horses, and honey so expensive it should come with a bodyguard.

if you get bored, the gold country hills are basically shouting your name from next door if you've got a car. or you could just wander along the american river. it's a big deal around here, apparently.

i heard through the grapevine that the croissant at boulangerie bakery is so buttery it'll make you forget your own name. also, someone warned me that the riverfront at night is where the city's secrets go to dance. not sure what that means, but i saw a raccoon wearing a tiny hat so i believe it.

when i wasn't stalking baristas, i was checking out the local joints. tried fox & goose public house for pie and a pint. solid. also, the sacramento riverfront is worth a wander if you enjoy the smell of river water and train whistles. very meditative.

then there was milton's coffee shop. this barista with a mustache that could probably hold a pen made me a latte so smooth it felt like velvet on my tongue. top-tier. you can find them on yelp if you're into that.

all in all, sacramento's a city that grows on you. like mold on a forgotten sandwich in the back of the fridge, but in a good way. it's got that gritty, no-nonsense vibe mixed with pockets of unexpected beauty. and the coffee? well, let's just say i came back with an extra five pounds and an addiction to single-origin beans. totally worth it.