This story is part of our February 2026 issue. To read the print version, click here.

Sacramento may not be known as a city that never sleeps, but after the offices close and the storefront grates roll down, a contingent of workers heads out to keep the region running after dark. At Comstock’s magazine — whose office is reliably closed by about 5 p.m. — we’ve long been fascinated by the graveyard shifters and midnight-oil burners who prepare each new day for us. But in the years we’ve discussed doing a story like this, none of us early birds have been enterprising (or insomniac) enough to head out to the workplaces that stay open from dusk to dawn with a camera, notepad and energy drink in hand.

That is, not until photojournalist Fred Greaves pitched the idea of a “While You Were Sleeping” photo essay as he shot the 2025 Young Professionals issue. Over the course of several weeks last year, he shadowed construction workers, emergency veterinarians, diner cooks and other workers who say they appreciate the slow rhythms and cool temperatures of the night shift. This might be a recurring series — there are more 24-hour workplaces we haven’t covered, from doctors’ offices to donut shops. Do you have an idea of where we should go next? Send us a message on Instagram or Facebook.

49er Diner

Powering the graveyard shift with food and conversation

Pedro Hernandez is the waiter, chef and greeter at the 24-hour 49er Diner off El Centro Road and I-5 in Natomas. Long-haul truckers stop in at all hours overnight for a hot meal and cup of coffee to keep themselves fueled for their trips. “I like to talk with the people I make the food for,” says Hernandez, who has been working at the diner for 15 years. “The people all the time say ‘Thank you, Pedro. It’s good.’” He also washes the dishes, mans the cash register and prepares burritos for the morning shift. “I like graveyard. I go home early morning and sleep six to eight hours.”

Related: Late-Night Dining Returns to Sacramento

Fix 50 Project

Roadwork after dark keeps one of Sacramento’s busiest highways moving

Caltrans began the $483 million Fix 50 project in March 2021 to add HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes and repair aging pavement on the heavily trafficked Highway 50 corridor. It might be the middle of the night, but cars and trucks are zipping by Gustavo Pena, foreman for Bay Line Cutting & Coring. His crew was contracted by Caltrans to repair spacer joints on the bridges.

Pena likes his work, knowing that the nighttime hours are the only times his crew can do repairs when traffic is reduced. He’s been doing roadwork for 25 years and finds it satisfying to see the progress of a project.

Caltrans has not given a date for the conclusion of the almost six-year Fix 50 project.

UC Davis Emergency Veterinary Hospital

When the barn goes quiet, night-shift vets take over

Monica Mason is a large animal technician with UC Davis Emergency Veterinary Hospital in Davis, meaning she works with animals ranging from horses to livestock and even a zebra. The hospital can provide simple farrier (hoof) care to the most complex of surgeries for large animals. The mother of two children, ages 6 and 15, Mason likes the overnight shift because it gives her more time for them during the day. She likes the quiet and less busyness of the overnight.

“You get to just handle all these guys and nurse them,” Mason says. “It’s really nice, it’s quiet. You don’t get the heat in the summer. (In the winter) it’s a wonderful heated barn. It’s beautiful.”

Related: A Rare Breed: Veterinarians who travel let pets stay comfortably at home

Nightmare Muscle

Fitness fanatics seek focus with post-midnight lifts

Nightmare Muscle is a 24-hour gym on Franklin Boulevard in Sacramento “where hustle meets muscle and greatness is forged.” It’s a gym for power lifters, such as Gibran Medina, who likes the “top of the line” equipment. “This gym has always been my go-to from day one. I can’t imagine any other gym being better.”

And while you may expect the gym to be filled with heavy lifters like Medina, there were more women there when photographer Fred Greaves visited in the early hours, such as Rose Hoang, who works out five days a week. She likes the community feel of the night gym rats. “All the night owls are here,” Hoang says. “It’s less packed here at night. No waiting for any racks. I get to play music and blast it as loud as I want. It’s quite peaceful.”

Related: Filling a Niche: Boutique gyms are helping satisfy the growing demand for unique workouts with activities such as rock-wall climbing and mixed martial arts

Sacramento International Airport

While pilots rest, crews keep the runways ready

The flights and the runways come to a near stop for a few hours overnight at Sacramento International Airport. That’s when Adam Baldavia, airport operations officer, and his crew can do runway inspections and other repair jobs that make the airport work.

“Overnight shift is great, because not only do you get to have the whole entire airport to yourself, but night shift inspections are the best because you get to see everything from the lighting to the people, and you solve problems efficiently. You have very few people at night, and everyone on staff becomes super close to each other. Everyone here is always on. It’s always working. And so you feel like I’m part of a family, almost.”

Related: Smoother Ride Ahead: Sacramento International Airport has found ways to avoid a financial fiasco despite a huge drop in passengers due to the pandemic

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