Surrounding Area:
Unfortunately, Downtown Commons in Sacramento doesn't allow commercial photography BUT as long as you're doing it for fun then it's usually fine. However, if you're afraid you're going to be kicked out of DOCO, you can take your pictures in the surrounding area. This was taken to the side of the Golden 1 Center and is perfect for crosswalk photos off the main streets. It also has some nice architecture to utilize.
One downside to this location is that there are some dumpsters that are visible depending on your angle. I used photoshop to hide them in my picture but they're easy to avoid in-camera.
In DOCO:
If you decide to risk it and take your photos inside DOCO, there are a ton of benches, tables, planters, stairs, and buildings to use in your photos. If you want the city look, you can angle towards the skyscrapers, for an urban but smaller feel, angle towards the Golden 1 Center, and for a chill vibe, shoot towards the shopping mall.
In DOCO, there are so many ways to create interesting shots. Just be mindful of the people around you and the security on location.
Lighting in DOCO:
The area is nice and open, so it's perfect for shooting in golden hour. Take advantage of the lighting and get some soft lighting with good color. This was shot a little before the golden hour but close enough to get softer lighting. In combination with the architecture, creating a stunning image is a walk in the park.