South Sacramento: A History Rich in Culture

Nov 3rd, 2022
This map is not to scale.

Odds are South Sacramento isn’t quite what you think. The areas along Mack Road, Florin Road, Franklin Boulevard, and Stockton Boulevard are often assumed to be unsafe or undesirable to live in. This perspective has long been perpetuated due to crime rates and underfunded neighborhoods. What people often overlook is the cultural diversity that pours over into the small businesses, local events, and community atmosphere, which leaves South Sac with no shortage of dedicated fans. Social media accounts like @southsacramento on Instagram are digital love letters to the area that is overflowing with cultural vibrancy. 

Take Florin Road, for example. The corridor is a bustling hub with a long agricultural history stemming back to the late 19th century. The large population of Japanese agricultural workers in the early 20th century quickly established Florin as a center for the cultivation of tokay grapes and strawberries. Although time has stilled much of the agricultural production within Florin, traces of the past are still present within the community. A drive through East Florin will take you past Frasinetti Winery, which has more than 100 years of production in the area under its belt. Frasinetti’s tasting room and restaurant not only allow patrons to enjoy delicious food and wine, but also pay homage to Florin’s storied past.  

Beyond the winery, residents of Florin keep in touch with the town’s background in their own way. Every Thursday, a farmers market is held along Florin Road, inviting both the community and visitors to enjoy locally grown and fresh produce. Because strawberries were among the crops Florin was most known for in its early years, the Florin Historical Society hosts an annual Strawberry Festival. Every summer, people flock to Florin to enjoy fun activities and delicious strawberry treats in a warm, community-centered environment. 

Although it was agriculture which made Florin a center of production historically, the area today still boasts a rich commercial life. In west Florin lies Florin Square, which houses more than 200 BIPOC-owned businesses, 90% of which are Black-owned. Florin Square holds frequent workshops and events to promote further community development, including a Youth Entrepreneur Camp created with the intent of enriching the next generation of business owners. 

At Seafood House Quan Oc, a locally owned small business in Little Saigon.

Just north of Florin Road lies another center of business and culture. A two mile stretch along Stockton Boulevard comprises Little Saigon, which is home to an array of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian businesses. The area boasts large Asian supermarkets, retail businesses, and a wide selection of restaurants to satisfy any craving.  

It was just over a decade ago, in 2010, that Little Saigon was officially given its name, though its cultural roots trace back long before. In 2020, Little Saigon celebrated its 10-year anniversary alongside its annual Lunar Flower Festival, though the pandemic put recent celebrations on hold. By late 2021, however, the community put together another cultural celebration: the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. This lantern-filled celebration was complete with performances, cultural clothing showcases, and a night market.  

Such a festive atmosphere extends past Little Saigon and makes its way northward, to Franklin Boulevard. In September, Franklin hosted “Back to the Boulevard,” a classic car show and celebration of Mexican Independence Day. This year, 2022, marked the second year of the event’s celebration, which residents of the Franklin Boulevard area anticipate will continue to be an annual occurrence. Both locals and visitors are free to partake in this celebration, enjoying the delicious food and fun activities organizers have lined up.  

Although each of the afore-mentioned communities have distinct cultural identities, the closely-knit atmosphere of the area has allowed them to come together during yet another celebration – the South Sacramento Festival. This festival celebrates the diversity of South Sac’s vibrant community and the uniqueness of an area that is so often overlooked. Dozens of local businesses, organizations, and artists come together to put on this yearly event, where all of South Sacramento has a chance to showcase just how much the area has to offer. 

This blog post is part of the SacAsian Chamber’s Reimagine Sac campaign. Learn more about the project and South Sacramento by clicking HERE.

SOURCES: