[cascraperdude]

Well, the cities you have listed are huge tourist destinations (especially SD and New Orleans during Mardi Gras). Sacramento doesn't have nearly the number of attractions you might find there. We have Old Town, the Capitol... the river is not really developed but there is a plan to build around it. The restaurant scene is definately getting good in both DT and midtown area (just east of the "core" downtown). I come from the east coast and find the food is getting very good.

There are also several small musuems that are good. But in general, I don't think Sacramento offers a lot of "vibrant" things to visit per se. It is more of a very nice work/live city that is close to major destinations (SF, Napa, Tahoe, etc).