Where Art Meets Hosting in Sacramento

Nov. 25 2022

by Lachlan

Meet Michael from Sacramento: an artist and misterb&b host who combines his two passions seamlessly. If you’re all about art, you’ll love a stay at Michael’s, his home is equal parts gorgeous LGBTQ+ accommodation and equal parts art gallery. Through hosting, Michael has created a safe and welcoming space for his guests and even sold a couple of his paintings along the way! Discover Michael's great hosting story now.

Why did you become a host on misterb&b?

I became a host on misterb&b to share what I love doing with my community. I’m a fine arts painter, and my home is like an art gallery. Some of my own art (along with lots of paintings from friends and other artists) adorns the walls. I get a lot of joy from sharing the place with different people and hearing their perspectives on the art and the creative space I've put together. 

I also love traveling, and my favorite places are those which feel unique with lots of personal touches. I became a host to create a similar experience for my guests. Plus, hosting is fun and fulfilling! 

What does hosting for the LGBTQ+ community mean to you?

It's important for me to create places that feel comfortable, different, and fun for everyone. As a traveler, I’ve stayed in places where I didn’t know how acceptable it was to just be myself, and this feeling makes for an odd introduction and overall experience. As a host, I aim to provide a welcoming environment for everyone of all types. Safe spaces make for incredible experiences, and every traveler deserves that. 

In your opinion, what attracts guests to Sacramento?

Sacramento is 100% a melting pot of people, and there are loads of things to do. The American and Sacramento rivers are big attractions, especially during summer. Rent kayaks, a boat, or jet skis, and you can easily make a weekend out of it.

The city is also home to many diverse food spots to enjoy downtown, which caters to niche preferences. Some of my favorite restaurants here are vegetarian, and I’m not even vegetarian (anymore). 

Sacramento is also the capital of California (which a lot of people oddly forget), so many come just to visit the Capitol Building. A huge park surrounds the building, and a garden that even locals visit for great photos and gatherings. One thing that I encourage all of my guests to experience is the art galleries and museums. There are tons of talented artists who often show their works in the city. Most of the local art galleries also have free admission every second Saturday of the month. I’ve lived here for over 20 years, and I still regularly visit them. 

What is your best memory of a guest?

It was actually one of my first guests. They were a traveling female couple in town for a relaxing weekend away from home. They asked for a whole bunch of things during their stay. At first, I was annoyed, but I then felt bad because I realized they were only looking for basic items (soap, extra towels, napkins, etc.) that honestly should have been in the home. I’d forgotten the items, probably because I was new and just beginning my hosting career.

Anyway, at the end of their trip, I knew they would drill me hard with feedback. I went by to help them with checkout and offer them an apology for the inconvenience. When they greeted me, I was shocked to see them smiling. They loved the place! So much so that they bought and took a piece of it home with them- one of my paintings off the wall! I remember that experience because it taught me that guests are full of surprises. Other experiences have taught me that the types of surprises also vary widely!   

Do you feel more involved with the LGBTQ+ community since you started hosting? 

Absolutely. Many of my guests seek ways to feel welcome and integrate into the local LGBTQ+ scene. As a host, I feel like I serve as a vehicle to help them achieve this. I've learned much more about small local businesses and resources here in Sacramento that aim to support the LGBTQ+ community. It's been a great learning experience for me.

Describe your perfect day in Sacramento

A perfect day in Sacramento starts with freshly brewed coffee. My favorite spots are in the midtown area. If not in midtown, a cup of home brew on the porch works too. The coffee is the perfect fuel for a run in the neighborhood or a circuit around one of the city’s big parks. Sacramento is famous for its trees. In fact, there are so many of them that we are informally known as the city of trees. A run in the park always feels like a good way to connect with nature. 

After a run, breakfast in midtown is a must. Many places offer outdoor seating, which gives an awesome ambiance - weather permitting. Then, if it's a sunny day, go hiking or swimming near the river. There are miles of trails here and beautiful wildlife to spot during your visit. After swimming or hiking, head to one of the many downtown art galleries or museums. The Crocker Art Museum is still one of my favorites because it features both traditional and modern art. 

Just adjacent to downtown is the Old Sacramento Waterfront. I tell all of my first-time Sacramento visitors to check out this area because it has a rich history, is right on the river, is full of specialty shops, has a newly installed Ferris wheel, and has unique eateries. It's also really close to the indoor/outdoor DOCO shopping center. Later in the day, head to the Capitol to tour the main building and surrounding grounds.

Definitely visit the gardens, which are popular for strolling through and taking pictures. From there, you can also see Tower Bridge, which looks postcard ready at sunset. The night scene in Sacramento is a fun one too. Gay nightlife is thriving on the weekends, and most of the bars are situated within walking distance from one another. Faces is a favorite with its three different dance floors, an outdoor bar, and a swimming pool. R Street is also a must for late-night fun. Here you'll find a few bars, taco and pizza eateries, and sometimes you can even catch live music and a night market.   

When is the best time to visit Sacramento, and why?

Sacramento truly has all four seasons. My favorite times are definitely the warmer months (May through August) because there are so many events, concerts, and activities to do outside. Music festivals/events are common here, and we’ve got huge parks serving great venues. Bottle Rock is an annual festival and is always super popular. We are also known for big food events, and the events don’t disappoint in the summer months. My favorites are the grilled cheese festival and several options at the annual CA state fair in July. Even if you visit in the cooler months, you'll find no shortage of concerts, plays, and musicals. 

How has hosting impacted your life?

Hosting has become a large part of my life and has recently become a business. I started hosting as a hobby. I wanted to meet people, make cool spaces and earn some extra money to help supplement my income. When I started back in 2018, I didn't realize how much I’d fallen in love with the work. I realized I wanted to grow. Now, not only do I host my own places, but I also help other people manage the ins and outs of hosting their own places. Hosting has also given me a unique way to connect with the LGBTQ+ community. I’ve made lots of new relationships, professionally and personally, which have allowed me to build my business and grow as a person.

Give us three reasons why you recommend hosting on misterb&b

I’d recommend hosting on this platform if you want to connect with different people from all walks of life and learn about other cultures. If you want to feel like you’re traveling without traveling, misterb&b lets you do that because people from around the world will come and stay with you. It’s also thrilling to open up your home to people who are excited about the opportunity to stay there.  

Why should a guest stay with you? 

I put a lot of energy into making sure that guests are comfortable. As a traveler, I appreciate the feeling of comfort more than anything when I’m away, so this is a priority in the accommodation I offer. In many ways, my spaces are also creative outlets. I design them like a painting and want my guests to genuinely feel like they’ve entered an artist's home. Any traveler that’s looking for a unique lodging experience should consider staying with me. I guarantee a one-of-a-kind experience.

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