History
The Greater Broadway area has long been a viable, albeit eclectic, commercial corridor. It features a variety of retail and commercial enterprises and is the location of a multitude of ethnic and mainstream restaurants. It hosts one of the largest certified Farmer’s Markets in the Sacramento region and recently became the site of a popular monthly antique fair. The bustling activity of Broadway is rooted in its history as a nucleus of local industry and commerce.
Broadway (formerly Y Street) was the southernmost street in the original city grid of Sacramento, platted in 1848. Because of its proximity to the Sacramento River and the railroad, the west end of Broadway became a hub of industrial activity. Goods could be shipped via boat to ports in the Bay Area, or via train across the continental United States. Likewise, raw goods could be transported to Broadway for processing and for sale. Further east, the corridor developed in the 1920s and 1930s to serve the growing neighborhoods of Curtis Park and Land Park, some of Sacramento’s earliest suburbs. By 1937, Broadway had nine restaurants, two doughnut shops, two bakeries, an ice cream maker, and several food stores. Many of these historical uses, particularly restaurants and food and beverage distributors, persist in the District today.
Broadway became home to civic functions, including the City Cemetery (1849) and the Buffalo Recreation Grounds (1911), a baseball stadium. The Tower Theater opened in 1938, prompting the City to rename the street Broadway. The Tower Theater’s art deco architecture influenced the design of many other buildings in the District, and it remains Broadway’s most iconic building.
While the baseball park is gone, the cemetery’s fascinating monuments and fragrant gardens tell stories from Sacramento’s past to modern visitors.
The W-X freeway, which links Highway 5 to Highway 99, opened in 1968. It created a barrier between the Broadway District and the rest of the center city. Yet business on Broadway continued to thrive, buttressed by vibrant residential communities to its south, and easy freeway access at each end. Today, Broadway has much to offer. It is an entertainment hub, a neighborhood and regional shopping corridor, a haven for incredibly diverse restaurants, a place to live and work, and a sunny boulevard for a Sunday cruise or walk.
The District
The Greater Broadway District is comprised of three sub-districts: the Marina, Tower, and Upper Broadway. Each of these sub-districts has a unique history, character, and architectural style.
The Marina
The Marina is the western-most portion of the District, and is near access to the Sacramento River and Interstate 5. Because of its location near major water and road transport networks, the Marina developed early-on in Sacramento's history as a major industrial center. Industrial uses persist in the Marina's many warehouses and industrial yards.
Tower
Tower Theater opened on Broadway in 1938, and has since had an immeasurable impact on the Tower sub-district and the corridor as a whole. The area between Riverside and 21st has been strongly influenced by the art-deco architecture of the Theater, and has thrived on entertainment and the arts.
Today the Tower sub-district is a mecca for artists, musicians, collectors, and interested onlookers. Here you can wander through galleries, find your favorite LP's and comic books, listen to live music, and taste a variety of international cuisines, among other activities.
Upper Broadway
Upper Broadway is typified by 1950's and 60's office buildings, and a truly unique auto-oriented urban design. Upper Broadway is located near the junction of I-80 and Highways 50 and 99, allowing for easy auto access.
Many state offices have located here over time, including the DMV, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Real Estate. State and private business employees' appetites support a plethora of both independently-owned and franchise restaurants.
The Greater Broadway area has long been a viable, albeit eclectic, commercial corridor. It features a variety of retail and commercial enterprises and is the location of a multitude of ethnic and mainstream restaurants. It hosts one of the largest certified Farmer’s Markets in the Sacramento region and recently became the site of a popular monthly antique fair. The bustling activity of Broadway is rooted in its history as a nucleus of local industry and commerce.
Broadway (formerly Y Street) was the southernmost street in the original city grid of Sacramento, platted in 1848. Because of its proximity to the Sacramento River and the railroad, the west end of Broadway became a hub of industrial activity. Goods could be shipped via boat to ports in the Bay Area, or via train across the continental United States. Likewise, raw goods could be transported to Broadway for processing and for sale. Further east, the corridor developed in the 1920s and 1930s to serve the growing neighborhoods of Curtis Park and Land Park, some of Sacramento’s earliest suburbs. By 1937, Broadway had nine restaurants, two doughnut shops, two bakeries, an ice cream maker, and several food stores. Many of these historical uses, particularly restaurants and food and beverage distributors, persist in the District today.
Broadway became home to civic functions, including the City Cemetery (1849) and the Buffalo Recreation Grounds (1911), a baseball stadium. The Tower Theater opened in 1938, prompting the City to rename the street Broadway. The Tower Theater’s art deco architecture influenced the design of many other buildings in the District, and it remains Broadway’s most iconic building.
While the baseball park is gone, the cemetery’s fascinating monuments and fragrant gardens tell stories from Sacramento’s past to modern visitors.
The W-X freeway, which links Highway 5 to Highway 99, opened in 1968. It created a barrier between the Broadway District and the rest of the center city. Yet business on Broadway continued to thrive, buttressed by vibrant residential communities to its south, and easy freeway access at each end. Today, Broadway has much to offer. It is an entertainment hub, a neighborhood and regional shopping corridor, a haven for incredibly diverse restaurants, a place to live and work, and a sunny boulevard for a Sunday cruise or walk.
The District
The Greater Broadway District is comprised of three sub-districts: the Marina, Tower, and Upper Broadway. Each of these sub-districts has a unique history, character, and architectural style.
The Marina
The Marina is the western-most portion of the District, and is near access to the Sacramento River and Interstate 5. Because of its location near major water and road transport networks, the Marina developed early-on in Sacramento's history as a major industrial center. Industrial uses persist in the Marina's many warehouses and industrial yards.
The Marina sub-district also hosts a variety of public uses including two popular
farmers markets, Sacramento Fire Station No. 5, a ball field, and public
gardens, including the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento’s oldest
existing cemetery and one of the City’s earliest green spaces.
Visitors are invited to take a break from the bustle of Broadway and enjoy the cemetery’s lush and shady park-like setting that is criss-crossed by former horse-drawn carriage roads and pathways and adorned with beautiful statues and dramatic markers.
The cemetery and the three volunteer-managed gardens are open to the public and are easily accessed by foot, bike, or car.
The Sacramento Historic Rose Garden features antique and old roses that were popular from the Gold Rush Era through the Victorian/Edwardian era. The Hamilton Square Perennial Garden plays with foliage textures and showy blooms of perennials from the five Mediterranean regions of the world. The California Native Plant Demonstration Garden showcases the beauty and benefits of water-wise and wildlife-friendly California native plants from across the state.Tower
Tower Theater opened on Broadway in 1938, and has since had an immeasurable impact on the Tower sub-district and the corridor as a whole. The area between Riverside and 21st has been strongly influenced by the art-deco architecture of the Theater, and has thrived on entertainment and the arts.
Today the Tower sub-district is a mecca for artists, musicians, collectors, and interested onlookers. Here you can wander through galleries, find your favorite LP's and comic books, listen to live music, and taste a variety of international cuisines, among other activities.
Upper Broadway
Upper Broadway is typified by 1950's and 60's office buildings, and a truly unique auto-oriented urban design. Upper Broadway is located near the junction of I-80 and Highways 50 and 99, allowing for easy auto access.Many state offices have located here over time, including the DMV, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Real Estate. State and private business employees' appetites support a plethora of both independently-owned and franchise restaurants.
Location
The Greater Broadway Partnership PBID is located along Broadway and X Street, and is bordered by 3rd Street on the West and 28th Street on the East. It includes 5.6 linear street miles and over 200 properties.
The Greater Broadway Partnership PBID is located along Broadway and X Street, and is bordered by 3rd Street on the West and 28th Street on the East. It includes 5.6 linear street miles and over 200 properties.
Getting Here
By Public Transit
>> SacRT Trip Planner
Sacramento Regional Transit provides light rail service to Broadway via the Blue Line. (From the Gold Line, transfer to a Meadowview-bound train at 16th Street Station). The Broadway Station is located at 19th Street and Broadway.
Sacramento RT also provides bus service to and along Broadway via the 2, 6, 38, 51, 62, 63, and 141.
>> light rail and bus schedule
By Car
Broadway is accessible from I-80, I-5, Hwy 50 and Hwy 99. Click on the map below for driving directions.
View Larger Map
By Public Transit
>> SacRT Trip Planner
Sacramento Regional Transit provides light rail service to Broadway via the Blue Line. (From the Gold Line, transfer to a Meadowview-bound train at 16th Street Station). The Broadway Station is located at 19th Street and Broadway.
Sacramento RT also provides bus service to and along Broadway via the 2, 6, 38, 51, 62, 63, and 141.
>> light rail and bus schedule
By Car
Broadway is accessible from I-80, I-5, Hwy 50 and Hwy 99. Click on the map below for driving directions.
View Larger Map
