In 1808, Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga found the Maidu Indians living peacefully in the Northern California valley formed by the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east and the Pacific Coast Mountains to the west. Warm summers, mild winters, a dependable yearly rainy season and water from the confluence of two great rivers resulted in a landscape so verdant and abundant that Gabriel Moraga named the valley after the Holy Sacrament—Sacramento.

Of course, the first growth in this part of California was fueled by the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. After the Gold Rush had come and gone, the Sacramento area, including the Pocket, thrived as an Agricultural haven. In fact, the Pocket area was a rural farming community for 110 years before suburban development, with the most significant group of people contributing to the area’s history and identity being Portuguese immigrants, who began arriving a few years after the Gold Rush.

Today, the area is known for its open spaces, access to Sacramento rivers, "move up" housing opportunities, schools and shopping areas. Small commercial developments are spread throughout the area and primarily serve area residents. Linear parkways provide pedestrian and bicycle pathways, connections to the Sacramento River and Downtown Sacramento. A neighborhood with the neighborhood of Pocket is Riverlake, a prestigious lake community. The Pocket is also home to several great parks, including Garcia Bend Park a large riverfront park that is home to a spectacular fireworks display every Fourth of July. The Pocket is served by Sacramento City Unified School District and prides itself on being an education-oriented community.

Sacramento has plenty to offer in its own right, but is in a tremendous location for those inclined to get out and explore. Lake Tahoe, Reno, the wine country of Napa Valley, San Francisco and the Pacific Coast are all within a two-hour drive of Sacramento. Many are happy to call Sacramento home because of all that it has to offer and you are bound to agree.