Relocating to Sacramento · Healthcare and getting around
Sacramento Health Systems and Getting Around
Meet the region's four health systems. Then see how the airport, the trains and the river trails connect it all.
Written by Maggie B. Hopkins, Broker-Owner · Real Estate & Mortgage Broker at Surroundings. Facts checked October 2026.
Sacramento Health Systems at a Glance
Sacramento health systems are a common question in relocation calls. The region has four large ones: UC Davis Health, Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health. Each runs hospitals and clinics across several counties. Health care is also a major employer here. Sacramento County's 2025 Year in Review lists health care and social assistance as the county's largest job sector, with 144,954 workers in FY 2024-25.
The City of Sacramento names UC Davis Health, Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente among the region's major employers. Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Roseville Medical Center were Roseville's two largest private employers in 2023. Kaiser had 5,760 jobs there and Sutter Roseville had 5,080.
We share names and public facts here. We don't rank providers, and the right choice usually depends on your health plan. Check which systems your plan covers before you settle on an address.
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Hospitals by System
- UC Davis Health. UC Davis Medical Center sits at 2315 Stockton Boulevard in Sacramento. It is a 646-bed hospital and the main teaching hospital of the UC Davis School of Medicine. The American College of Surgeons verifies it as a Level I trauma center and a Level I pediatric trauma center.
- Sutter Health. Sutter's directory lists Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento on Capitol Avenue and Sutter Roseville Medical Center. It also lists Sutter Davis Hospital and Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital.
- Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser runs three medical centers in the Greater Sacramento area: Sacramento, South Sacramento and Roseville. It also runs medical offices across the region.
- Dignity Health. Dignity Health's Greater Sacramento hospitals include Mercy General Hospital on J Street and Mercy San Juan Medical Center in Carmichael. The list also names Mercy Hospital of Folsom, Methodist Hospital of Sacramento and Woodland Memorial Hospital.
Hospital locations are one reason buyers weigh one part of the region over another. A home in Roseville sits near the Kaiser and Sutter campuses there. A home in Folsom or El Dorado Hills sits near Mercy Hospital of Folsom. We'll note the nearest hospitals for any address you're considering.
Flying From Sacramento International
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is owned by Sacramento County and sits about 10.5 miles northwest of downtown. It handled about 13.9 million passengers in 2025, up from about 13.6 million in 2024. A Terminal B concourse expansion adding roughly six to eight gates was projected to run from late 2025 to late 2028.
For buyers who travel often, distance to SMF can shape the search. Natomas and the northern parts of the city sit closest. Woodland in Yolo County sits across the river from the airport.
Trains, Light Rail and Freeways
The Capitol Corridor connects the region to the Bay Area. Amtrak runs the 168-mile route between Auburn and San Jose. In this region it stops in Auburn and Rocklin, then Roseville, Sacramento and Davis. Amtrak's California Zephyr also stops in Colfax in Placer County.
Inside the region, SacRT's Gold Line light rail has run from Folsom to downtown Sacramento since 2005. Davis runs its own Unitrans bus system.
Four main roads shape most trips. Interstate 5 and Highway 99 run north and south. Interstate 80 runs west toward the Bay and east through Roseville and Auburn toward Tahoe. Highway 50 runs east through Rancho Cordova, Folsom and El Dorado Hills to Placerville. We don't quote drive times without a dated source, so ask us to check a specific commute at the hour you'll make it.
The River and the Trails
The American River Parkway runs through the middle of the region. Its paved Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail covers about 32 miles from Discovery Park to Beal's Point at Folsom Lake, per Sacramento County Regional Parks. Discovery Park sits where the American River meets the Sacramento. The easternmost 10 miles follow Lake Natoma.
- Folsom Lake State Recreation Area covers about 19,500 acres. The state created it in 1956 after Folsom Dam was built.
- The Sacramento Northern Bike Trail runs 10 paved miles from Rio Linda to downtown Sacramento.
- The El Dorado Trail runs 35.8 miles from El Dorado Hills to Camino on an old rail line. About 8.5 miles between Camino and Placerville are paved.
- Davis has held Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community status from the League of American Bicyclists since 2005, with about 63 miles of bike paths as of 2021.
Many buyers moving here ask for a home near a trail entrance. We can search by distance to the Parkway or to a specific access point.
Choose a Location Near the Sacramento Health Systems You Use
Your doctors, your plan and your travel habits can narrow the map before you ever tour a home. Tell us which Sacramento health systems you use and how often you fly or ride the train. We'll show you the towns that fit. Book a relocation consultation with Maggie, or read about relocating to Sacramento County and relocating to Placer County. The culture, food and wine guide covers what you'll do on the weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the major health systems in Sacramento?
UC Davis Health, Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health each run hospitals and clinics across the region. Check which ones your health plan covers before you choose an address.
Is there a Level I trauma center in Sacramento?
Yes. UC Davis Medical Center on Stockton Boulevard is verified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level I trauma center and a Level I pediatric trauma center.
How far is Sacramento International Airport from downtown?
It is about 10.5 miles northwest of downtown. The county-owned airport handled about 13.9 million passengers in 2025.
Can I get around Sacramento without driving?
In parts of the region, yes. SacRT light rail runs from Folsom to downtown, the Capitol Corridor connects to the Bay Area, and Davis is known for its bike paths. Most suburbs still rely on cars.
More relocation guides
Moving from the Bay Area
See Bay Area and Sacramento prices side by side. Then plan the equity, the routes back and the sale there with the purchase here.
Read the guide →Moving from San Francisco
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Read the guide →Moving from San Jose and Silicon Valley
Santa Clara County leads Bay Area moves to the Sacramento region. See where South Bay movers buy, what housing costs here and the train to San Jose Diridon.
Read the guide →Moving from the East Bay
Alameda County sends more people to Sacramento County than any other Bay Area county. See where East Bay movers settle, prices and three routes back.
Read the guide →Moving from Los Angeles and Southern California
Los Angeles County sends Sacramento County more people than it takes back in IRS data. See what the migration data really shows, prices county by county and the trip back south.
Read the guide →Moving from Nevada
Nevada is the top out-of-state source of newcomers to the Sacramento region. See what the data shows, the California rules that surprise movers and the route over the Sierra.
Read the guide →Cost of living vs the Bay Area
Compare Sacramento and the Bay Area with dated federal price indexes, August 2026 home prices, electric bills and California's property tax rules.
Read the guide →Best places for a Bay Area commute
Keeping a Bay Area job? See which towns sit on the Capitol Corridor and I-80, the Delta route, and what the data shows about how often newcomers still commute.
Read the guide →Buying a home before you move
See how video tours, the loan, the offer and closing work from out of town. Maggie lines up the loan. Rachel shows you the homes and neighborhoods.
Read the guide →Property tax and Prop 19
Learn how a California base-year transfer works and who the law makes eligible. The deadlines decide whether it works for you.
Read the guide →Downsizing and single-level living
Sell a long-held home and move to one level. This guide covers single-story options, 55+ communities and timing.
Read the guide →Culture, food and wine
Sacramento pairs Farm-to-Fork dining with Broadway and repertory theatre. Museums, five wine regions and golf sit close by.
Read the guide →
Sources
- Wikipedia, UC Davis Medical Center, checked October 2026.
- Sutter Health, hospital directory, checked October 2026.
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Greater Sacramento Valley locations, checked October 2026.
- Dignity Health, Greater Sacramento service area fact sheet, checked October 2026.
- City of Sacramento, major employers, checked October 2026.
- Wikipedia, Roseville (largest employers, 2023), checked October 2026.
- Sacramento County, 2025 Year in Review (jobs by sector, FY 2024-25), FY 2024-25 data.
- Wikipedia, Sacramento International Airport, checked October 2026.
- Wikipedia, Capitol Corridor (route, length and stations), checked October 2026.
- Wikipedia, Placer County (Capitol Corridor and California Zephyr stops), checked October 2026.
- Wikipedia, Folsom (Gold Line light rail), checked October 2026.
- Wikipedia, Davis (Amtrak station and Unitrans buses), checked October 2026.
- Sacramento County Regional Parks, Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, checked October 2026.
- Wikipedia, Rio Linda (Sacramento Northern Bike Trail), checked October 2026.
- Wikipedia, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, checked October 2026.
- The California Aggie, Davis awarded Platinum bike status, January 19, 2021.
- TrailLink, El Dorado Trail, checked October 2026.
Hospital and transit facts come from each organization or a dated public source, checked October 2026. Confirm which providers your health plan covers before you choose an address. Surroundings does not rank or recommend health providers.
Relocating to Sacramento: keep exploring
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