Steve B.

Fair Oaks Boulevard Nursery

Yes this is a very high end establishment, probably catering to the rich and famous. But don't go in looking like you have actually been working in your garden, or they treat you like the dirt they plant in. I ran into one of the rudest salespeople it has been my misfortune to meet at this store. She was not only rude but she made me feel like I didn't have any right to shop there because I only drove a 2000 ford truck and not an Escalade. Bad manners should be discouraged--I won't go back there.

PROS: beautiful place, nice stuff
CONS: too expensive, rude clerks

Freeport Bakery

Still the best bakery in Sacramento, maybe in California. If you want something really special, order their Fruit Basket cake, but call ahead and order it, because they are usually sold out. They use real whipped cream frosting and fresh fruit, and it literaly melts in your mouth. Great danish too. They have gone yuppie in the last few years, but that hasn't affected their quality, just their prices and atmosphere. Still worth the drive for special occasions.

Philipps Bakery

They make one of the best tea-rings I have ever tasted -- all kinds of flavors, and very reasonible prices. They don't stand out much but have been in their present location for many years. Follow your nose and they won't be hard to find. They also have very good cookies, cakes and donuts. The staff are very friendly and seem to like it there.

Cramers Bakery

I remember driving out on a Sunday morning in the 60's and stopping at Cramers for pastry to take home. It was always a high for us kids and at 53, it still is today. They always smelled so good and when I go there today, they make me think of Mom and home. Good memories and good food.

Grateful Bread Co

Dead Heads have permiated our whole society in many ways, and this is one of the best I've seen. Whole grain bread is one of the best health foods you can put into your body, and these guys make great bread. The smell alone should be enough to draw you into the shop, and after you taste it you will never be satisfied with supermarket bread again.

PROS: Grate Bread
CONS:

Cake Castle Bakery

This store is a bakers delite. They have many items you just can't find anywhere else. The prices are steep, but, as with most things in life -- you get what you pay for! If you are looking for a special decoration or want to make someone feel special, take a look at their choices for cake decor, or their selection of baking accessories. It is worth the drive.

Tower Pipes & Cigars

Its kind of hard to find, but if you smoke, it is worth the effort. Look for the Tower on the corner of Broadway and Land Park. They have the best smell as you go into the store, like stepping into a humidor. Their selection is excellent and their prices are comparible to most other cigar stores. They also have a wide selection of loose tobbaco, pipes, rolling papers, and exotic tobacco products. If you like tobacco, you must visit them soon.

Aida's University Book Exch

I have used this store a few times to buy textbooks that were out of stock at the college bookstore. They usually didn't have the book in stock either, but could order it from one of their other stores fairly quickly. However, their prices, while a little cheaper than the college, are still more than you would pay on-line, so if you have time do it that way. Also, just like the college bookstore, they only pay a fraction of the cost if you want to resell textbooks.

Tower Records Video Books

The tower in Tower Records has been a landmark in Sac. for many years, and refers to the theater at the corner of Broadway and Land Park. They have other stores in other towns now, but the origional is still the best. Yes, their prices are a little high, but so are other stores. The price of books has gone through the roof in the last 10 years. But the atmosphere is great here, and the people you still see on a Saturday night, browsing through the stacks is a wonderful cross-section of America. In this age of videos and instant gratification, it is encouraging that so many people still go to bookstores to hang out. They also carry out-of-town newspapers from about 50 different towns and countries.

Beers Book Center

The best book store I have ever been in. Lots of used books and a good source for out of print books (or antiques). The clerks can find titles in the huge stacks of books, so I figure they must read alot themselves. That's always a good sign for a bookstore. This store has been around for many years and I hope they last forever--we need more like it.