Nearly two million people live in California’s capital city Sacramento, affectionately known by the locals as River City. This thriving center of politics and shipping for the Central Valley’s produce is hardly a tourist hotspot, but its two placid rivers and the quaint Old Sacramento district provide a fair amount of distraction.
In recent years, Sacramento has evolved into a bedroom community for high-tech workers from Silicon Valley and San Francisco. This influx of money has helped boost the city’s wining, dining and lodging scene, creating a downtown worthy of a state capital. The broad, tree-lined streets are lined with Victorian homes and tidy bungalows which offer some respite from the blistering heat during summer.
At the center of the city are the capitol and its expansive surrounding park. The American and Sacramento rivers are lined by wide paths for relaxing strolls, or you can jump into the water and float downstream. More than 100 buildings make up downtown’s Old Sacramento, a popular hang out spot for locals and tourists alike. A handful of museums exhibit the city’s Western roots, which are tied to the Gold Rush and agriculture boom of the Central Valley.
Highlights
Old Sacramento: the star attraction of the capital is this four-block downtown district and its cobblestone streets, restored Western storefronts, dining, shopping and museums.
California State Railroad Museum: this highlight of Old Sacramento contains 105 beautifully preserved railway cars and locomotives which give life to the informative exhibits about the Transcontinental Railroad.
California State Capitol: eerily resembling the American capitol building in Washington DC, this domed masterpiece is Sacramento’s main landmark and offers tours about the inner workings of the state government.
Crocker Art Museum: one of the best collections of Californian art is housed in this excellent museum which also showcases rotating exhibits of art from around the world.
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park: this living museum attempts to bring 19th century California to life through authentic shops, demonstrations and reenactments.
Discovery Museum and History Center: California’s Gold Rush and the ensuing agricultural boom in the Central Valley are key themes explored at this interesting museum dedicated to the history of California.