SACRAMENTO’S BEST THINGS
Before being invited to join the California tourism advisory panel, we had never considered visiting Sacramento. It was an exciting experience to attend our first annual meeting in Sacramento, California. During that visit, we could tour some of the top tourist attractions.
On our California road trip from Big Sur Lake Tahoe, we also visited Sacramento and realized we could have spent more time there. Sacramento has many things to do, including a vibrant craft beer scene, museums, and a culinary paradise. These are just a few suggestions to help you plan your trip.
Sacramento’s Best Things to Do
Although Sacramento may not be as glamorous as Los Angeles and cool as San Francisco, it is an excellent stop for any California road trip. It’s not just about the government buildings. But they are still very cool. Are you ready to explore Sacramento?
Old Sacramento Historic Park
It was amazing that such a place existed in the middle of an urban center. However, once we visited the Old Sacramento Historical Park, we could see why it is a top attraction in Sacramento. The area is filled with boutiques and mom-and-pop shops selling homemade ice cream. To prepare for the day, we enjoyed a few cappuccinos and a cup of coffee in the morning. It feels like the Old Sacramento State Historical Park was plucked straight from the wild west. In 1965, the district was designated a National Historic Landmark.
- Download the Audio Tour to take a self-guided walk through Folsom, California’s Old Sacramento State Historic Park. The tour begins at Riley and Scott Streets in Folsom’s Historic District and ends at Truss Bridge.
- Address: Sacramento, CA 95814
California State Railroad Museum
America was built by the railroad, and the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento is one of the most popular attractions. It is also home to one of the largest railway museums in the world. California was only connected to the United States when the railroad was built west. You can see a variety of exhibits that showcase railroad history, including old locomotive coaches, restored engines, and artifacts. There’s even an exhibit about miniature trains. The best attraction is the train rides. You can take a round-trip excursion down the river with one of the museum’s steam or diesel locomotives.
Sacramento History Museum
Sacramento is the focus of California’s history. Sacramento was right in the middle of the Great California Gold Rush. The Sacramento History Museum takes you back to experience what it was like in those days. The reproductions of 1854 City Hall, Waterworks and other buildings can be viewed. Sacramento was the western terminus for the transcontinental railroad, making it an important hub. See exhibits showing life in the 1800s and the beginning of the 20th Century.
Pony Express Terminal – Wells Fargo Museum
The headquarters of Pony Express and Wells Fargo Bank were located in Sacramento. The B.F. Hastings Building, located in Sacramento Old Town, was the western terminus for the Pony Express. It allowed riders to transport mail from California to Missouri by horseback. They were riding through the wild west, which was more dangerous than it sounds.
The historic district is worth a day’s wandering. One of the highlights is a visit to the Eagle Theater. It was built in 1849 and is the oldest permanent theater in California. This theater was not rebuilt to be identical to the one in Old Sacramento until 1974. It was part of an effort to attract tourists to Sacramento’s old neighborhoods. It is now part of the California Historical Landmark Registry. The historic buildings in the area are a top tourist attraction in the city.
Other Sacramento Theaters
California is home to many actors and performers (and Hollywood), so it’s no surprise that there are many historic theaters in the downtown areas. The Crest Theatre opened its doors in 1912 and now shows everything from classic films to live performances. It hosts a six-week summer series that shows classic and cult films.
Tower Theater and Guild Theater are two other historic theatres in Sacramento. The B Street Theatre is one of the best places in Sacramento to see live theatre. The theater has been operating for over 30 years and caters to students. It is also open to the general public. They offer shows in the mornings and evenings. For current productions, visit the B Street Theatre website. Address at 2700 Capitol Ave. Sa Sacramento
California State Capitol Museum
You already know that Sacramento is the Capital of California. Therefore, it makes sense that the State Capitol Museum is located in Sacramento. The California State Capitol Museum is a reminiscence of Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. It offers guided tours that allow you to explore historic rooms that show what the government offices looked like at the beginning of the 20th Century.
The Capitol Building also houses the California State Legislature and the current government buildings. The room contains portraits of former presidents and governors, including Reagan and Arnold. This building is a top tourist attraction in Sacramento and is also one of the most visited museums in Sacramento.