I love that our city has so many green spaces amongst the buildings and businesses. Cesar Chavez Plaza is in the heart of Sacramento, off J street. There is parking all around it, which tends to come in handy if you're trying to visit the park or nearby businesses. The park has a restaurant and coffee house in the little square area and it becomes the venue for many local events during the year. Check out Downtown Sacramento's schedule of events to see some of the upcoming concerts and opportunities. You do want to make sure you lock your car, don't leave anything valuable inside and stay alert- just like you would in the heart of any city. I've had times passing through that have been lovely, and some that I've felt a bit on edge. Including a time where I had a weird paper put on my car that none of the other cars around me had. While it's a park, it's still in the middle of a busy city. I'm glad the greenspace is here and I hope they keep investing in it and making it a fun and safe place for the community. read more

We walked by this park after eating lunch and looking for ice cream. The park is named after the great Cesar Chavez. The park is nicely designed and there were Cinco de Mayo decorations still left over. Unfortunately there were many homeless people about and some were taking aloud like they were mentally ill. The place is pretty sketchy during the day and definitely would not visit at night. read more

Cesar Chavez Plaza - Parks Near Me - Sacramento, California

I visited the Cesar Chavez Plaza for the first time on Friday, 7/28/23. What I liked most about coming here was the free Concert in the Park. In addition to the musical entertainment, there were a good handful of food & drink, informational, and merchandise vendors. I grabbed a delicious cup of lemonade from HANDIES LEMONADE and some freebies at informational booths. Parking wasn't difficult to find. I was able to park on the street, which was about a five-minute walk. Overall, the outing was a nice experience! It was a good start to the weekend. read more

I had never walked through this park before and didn't even know there's one in Sacramento. I know of the one in San Jose which was also in downtown. This one is a big park and is near the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, one of the church I frequent. Today, there was a car show which looked like it was hosted by the Sacramento Lowrider's Association. The park itself looks nice with ample seating areas under shady trees. I've driven passed this park numerous times. When there isn't an event, it can be hit or miss with finding some peace and quiet while sitting and enjoying the park. Sadly, there's some homeless individuals who may be screaming or fighting one another. The park is also surrounded by other establishments such as a coffee place and a restaurant so it can be quite busy, not to mention the downtown traffic. read more

See all

The tex Mex music festival brings the liveliest and one of the most exciting music to northern Cali. It transforms Sacramento into Texas. There's great Texas BBQ, vendors informational booths with a beer and wine garden. read more

Cesar Chavez Plaza - Tejano conjunto festival - Parks Near Me - Sacramento, California

See all

Take a risk parking here during the day. I know already at night it's worse. I returned to my car with scratches on it. I normally park in a garage but all the garages were full due to the graduations and the Eucharistic Procession. Very disappointed this park lacks security, especially since it's right across from city hall. read more

Tragic, Sad Face Of An Abandoned Humanity Lost SITREP My yelpie Regina W. sums it up best in her pithy review-statement from August last year, "If you are looking for homeless people, this is a good place to find them at any given time." THE SETUP I will focus on the positive first: * Wednesday Morning Farmers Markets during the late Spring through the early Autumn months - keeps us city, county and state workers very happy to keep coming back to check out some fresh produce and great food truck options (from BBQ, to sandwiches, to tacos, etc.); and, * Friday Night Concerts - also during the warmer months - with lots of great local musician showcasesm coordinated by the outstanding promoter team of Jerry & Linda Perry - and other promoters - all cultivating a great local music scene with their musician discoveries - I absolutely love it. GLOOM, DESPAIR, AGONY But if you want your heart to break, if you want to see the direct results of an economy and country that create the conditions for a growing population of "throw-away people", then Cesar Chavez Plaza is this poor demographics hangout. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cesar-chavez-plaza-sacramento?select=WcMNWbjUuSxjFaVQI-YJXg&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w * Lots of space to spread out; * Even though under the shadow of Sacramento City Hall, still a sanctuary for people to smoke their medical marijuana in peace without getting harassed (even though they are obviously in pain and need more medical & psychiatric condition-"appropriate" medications beyond just marijuana (like this tragic couple I met & befriended who are battling chronic pain); https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cesar-chavez-plaza-sacramento?select=Q0XzNFZNjNhymRnfFoMKQQ&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w * And on balance, the plaza is just a nice place to sit & chill on the lawns, enjoying the sunbeams, and watching playful crows and squirrels tussle over crumbs. LA COSECHA Recently, La Cosecha restaurant anchored itself firmly on the western edge of the plaza, and it's a very popular & tasty place. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cesar-chavez-plaza-sacramento?select=6WEnHWeKT3kAKv4sjeJukg&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w Our own Yelp Community Manager (CM) Alex L. even hosted a very well attended Yelp Elite Event (YEE) there. But it remains to be seen if the "water and oil" of urban dwellers vs. homeless encampments can mix well enough to not cause problems. REPULSIONS (Objective & Subjective) * I have friends who refuse to go to this park under any conditions because of the homeless. * I have more friends who refuse to patronize La Cosecha or visit the park because they don't want to park their cars along the perimeter of the block. And I'm not in a position to them not to because I've had my own car vandalized (smashed back passenger window) while parked on this block in the evening while I was at Temple Coffee. It's sad and I don't blame the homeless. I blame the country and a narcissistic local business development & city government culture that has exasperated this situation and only increased the problem two to three fold this past year with their greed for development money, by short-shifting the social service programs. Ce la vie. THE LOWDOWN Cesar Chavez Plaze is indeed a plaza of mixed enjoyments and issues. read more

See all

I love the circular design and the concrete stage with the capitol building in the backdrop. Every event I attend there is has been phenomenal. Concerts in the Park, Grape Escape and the Wednesday farmer's market. LOCATION: This park is located in downtown Sacramento between I st, J st, 9th st and 10th st. There are two major parking garages right across the street, but no street parking in the immediate vicinity. Well, not any available for a regular visitor. There are 4 entrances into the park via sidewalk and another that is on the backside of the stage. during larger events only two of the entrances are open. DECOR: There is a large fountain that sits center surrounded by cement in circular fashion which leads to the for walk ways then another larger walkway that surrounds the outer edge of the park. Grass and trees and benches fill any areas not covered by cement walkways so there's plenty of shade a places to sit. EVENTS: The event experience at Cesar Chavez has always been an excellent one for me. When there are vendors on site, the smaller tents setup alongside the outside of the circular cement area around the fountain and the outer walkway is reserved for larger vendors like food trucks. The main stage has a cement area about 20 ft wide and 10 ft deep that sits in front and is surrounded by grass and trees to the outside so nothing is blocking your view. The acoustics in the park are great for outside performances. I have had any trouble hearing any music, live or prerecorded. EXPERIENCE: The last time I was here, I stopped by the Wednesday farmer's market. The smell of freshly cooked food filled the air and the was fresh produce on every corner. There were plenty of people there, but it wasn't crowded. The park has much room for maneuvering around. Every vendor out there was friendly as I snapped my entire experience per usual. Anytime I hear of an event at this park, I try to make it. The location makes it a great spot for meeting friends and just hanging out for a few while you regroup. The parking scenario isn't the best in Sacramento since the stadium went up, but it could be a lot worse. Uber or Lyft could be viable options to traveling into the downtown area for future occasions. read more

This park is the heart of the downtown. Most of the events and functions occur in this park from farmers market to concerts. However, if you walk in this park on the weekdays or weekends when there is no major events, you'll find homeless people. It's sad but at the same time eyesore too. I don't like to walk in this park because of the homeless people. At times, they are sitting in groups. read more

See all

Cesar Chavez Plaza is a nice urban plaza-style park in the middle of downtown Sacramento. It takes up the whole block between 9-10 and I-J with no parking besides normal street parking. The plaza is often used for special events including a farmers market on Wednesdays and concerts on Friday evenings. The city finally restarted the large fountain in the middle of the plaza and is working to complete the remodeling of the restaurant and restroom structure. Many homeless and transient populations use the park as is their right, but they are usually harmless just enjoying the day as much as the rest of us. The park lacks many amenities found at other facilities, but there is a good reason why so many events are held at Cesar Chavez Plaza. It is a nice place to stroll even during construction. read more

No more of now Starbucks go to starbucks.com/responsibility/community/foodshare to enjoy. There is one across from this park. Leaving hotel to go to Kaiser DOCO, I see this park. Ah yes, this update there fifty four reviews of this park. I complained before of K K K here year 2017. Well those protestors made big mess in this park. All kind grafitti, all kind nasty sayings, I think word is Memorabilia in the memory of person in Minneapolis. Protest all you want, I have no respect for protestors anyway. Do Not Destroy Property. Is that how any you protestors Local People really want out town guests, out state guests, want make impression of your town? Cannot even see La Cosecha Restaurant too much memorabilia blocks it. Welcome To Sacramento Now Leave. Ah yes. Written Year Of The Rat on June 8, 2020. read more

This plaza is often filled with homeless people, it's not very clean, and it feels unsafe.

OMG, let me see where do I begin..This was an evening to remember. So when I get here the concert it is in full swing. The music is jumping and there are literally people every where. The weather is perfect and lucky for me there's a parking garage right across the streets from the park. Just an FYI, after 5pm its only $5 to park in the garage. As for the park, I really couldn't say how big it was, because it was hard to see the whole thing due to the fact that there were so many people out here. People were everywhere, they brought chairs and blankets and was there just to enjoy great music eat, drink and relax. I met one of my closest girlfriends and we just chilled. We walked around for a bit to check out the food choices and the drink options. If you wanted beer or wine, you had to first purchase a token in one line. And then go to another to pick up your drink. The lines were long but they moved very quickly. The prices were reasonable, only $4 & $5 bucks for beer/ or wine. The food, well was not really me per say! I went with the street tacos (that was the name for them). They were extremely small and it was 2 for $5 bucks. I got the steak tacos with most of what I had no ideal what it all was. I asked if it was spicy and the young man said just a lil. My friend got the nachos which was $8 buck and the plate was rather big. They gave you plenty. As we were walking away I took one bite of one of my tacos and my mouth was on fire! I couldn't eat another bite. I wanted some fried fish, but that I didn't see/or smell out here. I saw people with Jimboy's tacos but I didn't see where they were selling them. I really didn't see a lot to choose from as far as food goes. They had the outdoor sweat box bathroom stalls set up for use. Something you will rarely see me get in. Lol The music was Reggae and one of the groups was ZFG. One of the guys from the group proposed to his girl..'SHE SAID YES'! I believe there were three groups total that preformed and I only got the name of this one (ZFG). It was all so great, it seem like everything was just perfect. This was my first time at Caesar Chavez Park and it was a nice experience. The CIP went on without any problems and to hear it was 7900 people that were there and that was a record breaker. Park was bigger than it looked I guess..Not bad..I can't wait to come back again. Hopefully before the summers over. read more

See all

It's a busy block smack in the middle of downtown Sac. I parked there (at a meter) and walked to Temple Coffee to meet someone. It's been busier in the past, but it was fairly full this afternoon. Not sure why. read more

Cesar Chavez Plaza - Parks Near Me - Sacramento, California

Concerts in the Park: There were a lot of people. I think there were more people who came to enjoy the beer rather than the music itself. Besides the beer there isn't much to do here. It was entertaining to watch the homeless man dance to the music. Something that I did like about this event is that there are food vendors. I even spotted Mini Burger Truck. Wished I didn't eat so much beforehand, so I could've ordered some of their sweet potato tots! Several downtown locations offer deals if you present your wristband from the concert, such as drink and appetizer deals. Wish I knew of this beforehand. http://www.sacfridayconcerts.com/specials.html read more

To me, Cesar Chavez Plaza represents a cross section of what is good and bad about Sacramento. It's a beautiful public park in the heart of downtown that is littered with trash and, during the day at least, usually occupied by plenty of vagrants. Don't make me out to be a prude who thinks the homeless don't have an equal right to share our public park. But for the sake of this review, I feel everyone should be made aware of what I regularly encounter here. The plaza certainly has its benefits. Its central location is ideal for concerts, festivals and fairs, and I've attended many memorable events here, from Concerts in the Park to the Grape Escape. It sits across from the beautiful and historic Citizen Hotel and Grange Restaurant - two of the classiest places in Sacramento. Still, its location downtown does occasionally attract some riff raff, making it a less than ideal place to take a midday nap or hang with the kids like so many other wonderful parks in our city. If you want a place to go for cool events, Cesar Chavez is for you. read more

If there hadn't been an event, I don't know that I would have ever come here, but there was, so I did and it was great. This was the site of the 2009 Tamale Festival. We stopped at FoodMax and picked up our tickets for 1/2 price, We found a parking spot just across the street and proceeded to the event. Everything was laid out nicely, surrounding a beautiful fountain in the center. I could see the potential for coming on a warm day and enjoying the shade and the light breezes. This seems like the perfect location for a medium sized event. read more

This review is just for Concerts in the Park. Jerry Perry put on a pretty fab show yesterday, including orchestrating the bums to dance until they fell over on their fellow bums. Nice work Jerry and thank you David O for that little commentating. Top Five reasons to go to CIP: 1. The gyro cart -- and all the food carts for that matter!! 2. You could meet Mayor Johnson like I did. He didn't know what Yelp was!! I told him. *beams with pride* 3. So many bums, so little time. Enough crazy people watching and you start to feel a little crazy, too. But they provide endless amounts of entertainment and drama. Bums need their own reality show. 4. You could run into Greg B and Steve V!!! Now that is a combo meal with the works. I was sad I didn't get to have beers with you guys. 5. The music. I think we got very lucky and came on a night that had just a killer line up, but I've seen some other really hot bands on the list so I think it's just a good year. 6. Oh, wait, very important bonus: It's free. read more

Cesar Chavez Plaza certainly does it's job when it comes to hosting the Friday night Concert in the Park series that everyone looks forward to during the summer. The park also comes to life when the California Grown Farmers Market comes around. I used to cut through the park on my bike when I was riding to work, and the overwhelmingly delicious smell coming from the Cafe (located in the park) was enough to drive me nuts. It recently received a much needed shave and cleaning, which I am sure will be unnoticeable in about three weeks. The smell of breakfast will live on though. read more

So my husband and I are rather new to Sacramento. Last summer was the first time we went to concert in the park and we are fans. The parking can be tough but we get there a little earlier. We carry in our own chairs and find a nice shady spot. The security at the entrances are quick and friendly. If you aren't buying alcohol and don't need a bracelet the entrance is quick and easy. We also tried food trucks here for the first time ever. It is so much fun wandering around looking at menus for the trucks and people watching. The park is well kept. Lots of shade for those hot summer days. The only thing that was off putting at first was the homeless people. I had to remind myself that I was downtown and it's to be expected. They really don't bother you at all. For that reason I got used to it pretty quick. The only time I was really bothered was when a lady had diarrhea down her legs and all over her skirt whew....TMI ? Anywho the bands are entertaining. A great way to spend a very cheap Friday evening. read more

It's a simple little park near several bars, downtown plaza, and a library. The park itself has the statue of Cesar Chavez as it's focal point, and boasts some local foliage and picnic tables. It attracts shoppers and locals for a place to enjoy lunch, read a book, or simply get away from the concrete surroundings of downtown. Concerts in the park run throughout every Friday during the summer. The events showcase local artist and an array of Fair type eats and beer garden. Admission is free, and so is the care of dignity of the locals dancing at the events. read more

Cesar Chavez Plaza for farmers markets, food truck meetups and summertime Concerts in the Park: 5 stars, no contest. Cesar Chavez for all other times... well... I'll just average it out and give 3 stars. The plaza works particuarly well for Concerts in the Park- which, by the way, have grown to ridiculously big and busy proportions these last couple of years! The plaza has enough shade to keep reasonably cool during hot summer afternoons- enough space for a beer garden, booths, multiple vendor trucks and a ginormous audience- enough diversity to make for great people-watching and run times rocking out with fellow crowd members- and enough amazing bands, including many new discoveries much to my delight, to keep me running back every Friday for more. Viva Cesar Chavez!! read more

I'd like to give Cesar Chavez Plaza four stars because it's open and accessible to the public. Although Cesar Chavez Plaza attracts downtown's homeless the park is kept surprisingly clean. When I walked by this place this afternoon, Stantec volunteers were cleaning out the overgrown shrubs along the walkway of the park. A few reasons why the homeless gather here is because there's a lot of benches scattered throughout the park and every Sunday afternoon Food Not Bombs, a non-profit organization, comes out and feeds the homeless folks free vegan and vegetarian meals. Cesar Chavez Plaza also features weekly farmer's markets and concerts. During concerts and special events, this park has ramped up police and private security making the park more safe by keeping the riff-raff out. And all those complaints about vagrants being here I haven't really been accosted by any of them in my numerous visits to this park. read more

This park is commonly referred to as "Bum Park" and I am sure from that name you can figure out why. Recently, it was home to the Occupy Sacramento movement. But more importantly, now that summer has arrived it is home to Concert in the Park on Friday nights and the Farmer's Market one day a week! Try not to stay in the park too late past dark, the rats come out then! read more

See great potential in this city park. Need more lively events to make this place be an epicenter for good times and business prosperity. Also love their music events! 4 stars! read more

Cesar Chavez Plaza - Cesar Chavez Farmers Market is awesome! - Parks Near Me - Sacramento, California

We call it the Rat Plaza. Not that I've ever seen a rat there, but one day during a staff meeting someone went on and on about rats the size of puppies living there and the name stuck. Being a State employee I have an hour for lunch downtown. Sitting in Caesar Chavez is one of my favorite things to do when the weather is nice because I love to people watch. There are some doozies at the rat plaza. There's also a great variety because you have your professionally dressed badge wearers, bike cops, casual wanderers and construction workers on their lunch break, along with homeless people who are varying degrees of crazy. Sometimes there's a saxophone player playing "Mustang Sally." If it's really hot you can sit on the edge of the fountain for a light misting. There's sun, there's shade, if you like crowds there's a farmers market Wednesday and live music Fridays. There's impromptu mayoral candidate proselytizing. There's some sort of cafe I've never been to because I'm cheap but seems to be popular. Don't drink alcohol there unless you're in the beer garden or the cops will throw your 40 in the trash. I highly recommend Cesar Chavez Plaza for lunchtime loitering. read more

Even after the renovation, this park just can't seem to find itself. I like it for just a quick day time break or to eat lunch. It really depends on what day you are here AND what time. I like lunch time because there are plenty of food trucks around the area. You can grab something and find a spot in the park. Generally, I don't get bothered too much but the occasional homeless person may wander up and ask for something. So I always get my sandwich cut in half (just in case). LOL despite what others may say, i do have a heart. :-) read more

This free concert nice music fun there is food and drinks you can enjoy!! All kinds of people having fun on Friday afternoon it's a good way to start the weekend! read more

See all

This place is great. There is an awesome Farmer's Market on Wednesday that I highly recommend. Inexpensive but delicious fruits and vegetables with a tamale stand that is worth far more than the $2 price. A great park to sit and read in the sunshine in. read more

I love going to Concerts in the Park now and again and last week, a friend and I came to check things out since he had never been. I've always thought that the park itself was pretty and it's rather large, so seeing a concert here is fun times. It can get pretty crowded, especially because people love to come and get their drink on, but oh well. It's great to just walk around and explore while listening to the live music. The only thing to ruin my great experience was the fact that I saw my old high school English teacher here with his wife. Had to quickly duck behind something so he wouldn't see me. What a damper on my evening! read more

Concert in the park is fun :D Getting hit on and called "sweet thing" by a bum is not D: read more

Ya know...I dig this place. I've seen some good concerts here (Tesla for a free show a few years ago) and have some decent times here. I usually spend a little time here when going to the library. It's a very well used park, with business people, families, and those without homes...all using the park together. I've seen it dirty sometimes, but usually it's pretty clean for an inner city park. There's free wifi here, which to me is a plus no matter where I go. Come here for a picnic in the park, and for the most part, you will have a good time. There may be the occasional vagrant, but just move along, or invite them for a meal with you...I'm sure they'd appreciate the food and conversation. Plenty of free concerts in the park too...SAMMIES! read more

Enjoying a nice California summer morning at a farmers market. Cheese, produce, live music, fresh meats, all from the heart of the California Central Valley. If only Sacramento, could figure out how to get some of this food to the homeless people in this park along with shelter before our city completes it's amazing half billion dollar public works project called Golden One Centre. read more

I would say this is a nice place to hang if you're into kicking it with homeless people. Everyday you will find someone sleeping, yelling at a tree, or cleaning their bodies in the beautiful fountain at Cesar Chavez park. The summer time is nice, because they have outdoor concerts here every week but it's such a small park that it would only be able to fit maybe a couple hundred people at the most. There is plenty of shade in this park so on those hot days you can find a place to people watch or just escape from the summertime heat rays. Definitely one of the busiest blocks in the downtown area, there's always some kind of action around this Plaza. read more

Super shady and always has event during the weekend. Although there is no playground, its a beautiful meeting and relaxing place and would love to come back read more

If you're like me and interested in unique urban public spaces, then Cesar Chavez Plaza is a place where you must spend some time if you're in Sacramento. The park was actually named one of the "Great Places in America" in 2012 by the American Planning Association. The park is well maintained and appears to have been recently renovated. The landscaping, trees and central fountain make it an oasis in urban downtown Sacramento. History and architecture buffs will be interested to know that the park is surrounded by some of downtown Sacramento's more interesting and historic buildings and high-rises, including the Old City Hall, Citizen Hotel, Central Library, Park Tower, and the LEED certified California EPA Headquarters. Furthermore, the history of the park itself dates back to 1848, when John Sutter commissioned 10 "public squares" for public use in the city. A visit to the park on a sunny afternoon or a summer evening is a great experience. Get some food from a nearby restaurant and enjoy a lunch outdoors in the sun (or in the cool of the shade on a hot summer day). There is even a cafe located in the park that serves awesome breakfast and lunch. This is a GREAT place for people watching. The summer is a particularly good time to visit the park because they have a weekly farmer's market and the annual Concerts in the Park on Friday nights. The park is packed with people during these events and very lively. Nothing like live music during sunset! Did I mention that Cesar Chavez Plaza is within easy walking distance of Oldtown and Midtown Sacramento? If you find yourself in downtown Sacramento and enjoy spending time in interesting public spaces, I highly recommend spending a few minutes (or hours) in Cesar Chavez Plaza. read more

This is one of my favorite places to hang out on a summer Friday night. The crowd is fun, loving and diverse. I love seeing the people with signs "Free Hugs"..with everything going on in the world, it's great to go some place, listen to wonderful music, have a few drinks and not see people getting into fights. (I have not witnessed one fight in all the times I have gone). The downfall for me is that the drink token line is inconsistent with what time they stop selling tokens and drinks. I thought it was 8:30 pm, but this past Friday it was closer to 8:00 pm. read more

Came here for Fiesta en La Calle on a Saturday to hear the local music, and it was awesome! A LOT of cool food stands, like Pupusas, and ELOTE, or mexican corn on the cob! The atmosphere was relaxed, and the fountain on the hot day was cool. The buildings provide cool shade, and it was just fun. Recommend it. read more

I was here just recently for the Tamale festival & really loved how it is in the heart of Sacramento. The event was so big that I didn't get a great feel of the park itself. But just the location had me at hello! It makes me want to come back and have a picnic. and read a book or something. I love the fact that you get that down town feel while here. read more

Not the best park I've ever been to. But inspite of it's vagrant nicknames, I like that it is so close to the Library and a few mini marts on K Street. The summer concerts are fun too, even if I wish there wasnt a city ordinance against R&B and Jazz. Lol But oh well, at least they're free. read more