Whether you prefer exciting urbane amenities, humble historic activities, or sports, there is always something to do in Sacramento—capital of the Golden State.
One-Day Stay: Just Walking Around
If you just have a day, spend it in Old Sacramento. Old Town, as the locals call it, features a Wild West ambiance, with history and diversity that attracts visitors from around the world. A registered national landmark, Old Sacramento boasts the largest concentrations of historic buildings in California. With more than 100 restored 1849 Gold Rush-era buildings now housing shops, top-quality restaurants and museums, few destinations in America offer so many opportunities to learn, dine and shop in a 28-acre site that lends itself to perambulation.
Old Sacramento is located downtown and is convenient to all freeways. From any direction take Interstate 5 to the J Street exit and follow the signs. Abundant covered parking at reasonable rates is available. Enter at Third and J streets or at Capitol Mall and Front Street. Newly installed meters now watch over on-street parking spaces, but from popular downtown hotels like Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza, Governor’s House or the Delta King, Old Sacramento is just a walk away.
After walking around and getting the feel of Old Sacramento, stop at the California State Railroad Museum on I Street, where lovingly restored exhibits including 21 locomotives and railcars, bring the sights and sounds of railroading to life. Enjoy lunch at any number of popular Old Town restaurants. Just grab a burger at Fanny Anne’s Saloon or for a more formal meal try California Fat’s. Spend the afternoon browsing the many shops and seeing history in Old Sacramento museums such as the high-tech Golden State Museum, the California Military Museum, or the Wells Fargo Museum. Classic car fanciers should not miss the Towe Auto Museum. For a mid-afternoon snack, stop by the Sacramento Sweets Company, where you can treat your sweet tooth with candy made while you watch. Wrap up your day in Old Sacramento with a fine dinner at award-winning restaurants like the historic Firehouse Restaurant or the Pilot House located on the top deck of the beautifully restored Delta King riverboat.
Spending the Weekend?
With a car, you can take in Old Sacramento and the downtown area and still have time to see and do even more. A short drive away on Land Park Drive, is the Sacramento Zoo, with some 430 animals including the snow leopard and the “just-too-cute” red panda on year-around display. Located almost next to the zoo, Funderland offers a great selection of amusement park rides sized just for kids.
Bring your golf clubs? For a really quick and fun round of golf, drive out to Antelope Greens on Elverta Road. This beautifully maintained little par-54 executive course could be comfortably played in less than two hours. On the way back into town from the golf course, stop at the McClellan Aviation Museum at McClellan Air Force Base for a free tour of the history of military air power. Once back downtown, visit Sutter’s Fort, built in 1839 as a safe destination for western pioneers including the heroic Donner party.
Everyone in the pool! Summer temperatures in Sacramento often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but the low humidity means you can really cool down fast at a feature-packed water park like Waterworld USA at Cal Expo. Here you will find waterslides, wave pools and a day of fun for everyone. Do not forget the sunscreen. A very short drive away, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers boating, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, bike trails, picnicking and camping. If you are just a bit more of the adventuresome type, try river rafting. American River Raft Rental will provide all the equipment needed for an exciting rafting trip through the heart of the beautiful American River Canyon. You will not believe you are still in the middle of town.
Up for a good baseball game? The Sacramento River Cats bring AAA professional baseball back to Sacramento and play in the new Raley Field, near Old Sacramento. If basketball is your sport, drive out to Arco Arena where the NBA Sacramento Kings and WNBA Monarchs compete.
Staying a Week or Longer?
With a week or more to spare, you can do what the locals do— -take a road trip. Some of the top tourist attractions in America, if not the world, are conveniently located within an easy two-hour drive of downtown Sacramento.
Going East
Driving east on Interstate 80, you cross over the picturesque Sierra Nevada Mountains with several ski resorts offering winter season adventure. Could your “pot of gold” be waiting in Reno, Nevada? Less than two hours from Sacramento on Interstate 80 East, the casinos, shows and restaurants of the “Biggest Little City in the World” wait to welcome you. A breathtaking two-hour drive heading east on U.S. Highway 50, brings you to Lake Tahoe with shows, gaming, great dining, skiing and, of course, of the most beautiful lake and scenery anywhere.
Note: Driving to the Reno/Tahoe areas between the months of October and May can require driving on snow-covered highways using tire-chains or snow tires. Be sure to check weather and highway conditions before leaving. Call +1 800 427 7623 or +1 916 445 7623 for road conditions.
Going West
Interstate 80 or just about any other highway heading west out of Sacramento will quickly take you into the beautiful and romantic Napa Valley wine country. For a great overall tour of the wine country, take a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train. Or, for a thrilling aerial view, take a sunrise hot air balloon tour with Napa’s Balloons Above the Valley.
Be sure to return to Sacramento after making these day-trips. Sacramento’s unique blend of old and new, history and history-yet-to-unfold will continue to beckon you back time after time.
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