Sacramento CA is the home of California State Capitol Building. This iconic neoclassical building has been around for over a century. It’s a must-see for political buffs and history lovers alike.
Sport enthusiasts can enjoy the Sacramento Kings professional basketball team in their Golden 1 Center. The city is also home to several minor league sports teams.
Old Sacramento
Old Sacramento is a historic district and California State Park, home to numerous Gold Rush-era buildings. Its wooden planked sidewalks and old-fashioned shops make it a popular destination for tourists who stroll, gawk at the facades, and shop. It offers many attractions, including museums, bars and restaurants, as well as river cruises, an adventure train, and a public marketplace.
The gold-yellow Tower Bridge is a popular photo subject and is best viewed at sunset or after dark. The Ziggurat Building, which is a 10-story building modeled on ancient Mesopotamian Pyramids, is another architectural landmark.
The Sacramento History Museum offers tours that explore the shady history of the city, including stories about saloons and gambling halls. The half-mile tour is guided by a “shady character” who leads guests through the historic area.
Midtown
Long derided as a government town and passed over by investors chasing Silicon Valley, Sacramento is reinventing itself. The city is embracing a Northern Californian sensibility of music, art, food, and craft coffee. It’s repositioning itself as the next great urban center for families and young professionals.
Locals love hanging out in Midtown, with a neighborhood vibe and plenty of restaurants and cafes. Its numbered streets intersect with lettered ones and form what the locals call “the Grid.” It’s easy to navigate and is shaded by lots of trees, making it very pleasant for strolling around.
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park is a must-see on any trip to Midtown. This is one of the oldest settlements by non-Native Americans and it’s fascinating to visit.
Capitol Park
The neoclassical California State Capitol building and its grounds are an essential Sacramento sight. Inside the building, visitors can watch lawmakers in action during sessions of the Senate and Assembly. There are also historic rooms to tour and small exhibits from each of the state’s counties.
Outside, visitors can wander paths past trees from around the world (a map is available), a rose garden, and memorials to important figures in California history. Capitol Park in Sacramento is my favorite outdoor space, especially during the spring.
Inn Off Capitol Park guests can reach this popular attraction in less than one mile. The hotel is also close to a subway station and convention centers. It offers high speed internet access in public areas and free parking on site.
Crocker Art Museum
In the late 1800s when Judge Edwin Bryant Crocker purchased this block, he constructed an elaborate home and gallery for his growing art collection. No expense was spared in the design of architect Seth Babson.
Crocker searched Europe for the best artworks to add his collection. His acquisitions still form part of the museum today. Its strong collections of California paintings, European drawings and international ceramics make it a destination for art lovers.
Its photography collection is also a standout, with strengths in historic and contemporary media. The museum’s holdings of African wood carvings and sculptures are particularly impressive. This museum will remind you of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, but with a much smaller collection. This is a must on any Sacramento day-trip itinerary.
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
The fort is available seven days a weeks from 10am until 5pm. It costs $5 for adults and $3 for children 5-17 to enter the park.
John Sutter, a Swiss immigrant who had been granted land by the Mexican government in 1839 to start an agricultural and trading settlement, built this fort. Today it offers visitors a glimpse into 19th-century California. The walls of the fort contain reconstructed rooms, including a blacksmith’s shop, a stable, a store and a kitchen.
The fort hosts live history demonstrations. Guided tours are available for those who want more in-depth knowledge of the park’s historical significance. The museum is open to guests. A nice half-mile trail surrounds the fort. The property is open to dogs, provided they are on a leash.