Sacramento
A former gold rush area, nowadays Sacramento is a modern hub of outdoor activities, excellent international cuisine as well as lovey lakes and rivers.
Sacramento in a nutshell
It’s not your ‘usual’ Californian city by any means, but Sacramento is the capital of California. It’s also steeped in history, as this was the place people flocked to in the mid 19th century during the Gold Rush.
Sacramento is a pretty place, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with 200 parks and 2 rivers, a melting pot of cultures and cuisines and a major cultural centre. What’s not to love?
The city certainly offers a diversity of attractions and amusements, whether you’re exploring the old part of town to relive the days during the Gold Rush, stepping further back in time to when the first pioneers settled here, when California was still part of the Wild West, or stepping into the 21st century to enjoy myriad entertainment and dining options.
You don’t have to go far to enjoy outdoor pursuits; Sacramento proudly offers cycling and hiking opportunities close to the town center, including cycling around Folsom Lake or paddling an inflatable raft on the river.
Best time to visit: Visit in the in-between seasons, spring (April to June) or fall (September and October) when it’s quieter and less expensive to vacation here. Summer is peak season – it’s hot and crowded at that time.
Best Area for Sightseeing: Old Sacramento The city’s old part of town is a treasure trove filled with meticulously restored buildings. Experience California’s past here as you explore. Visit the Sacramento History Museum and the California Train Museum, full of old locomotives.
Shopping in Sacramento: The area called ‘the Grid’ in the city center is a great shopping district full of boutiques, jewellery stores and more. You’ll also find independent stores selling all sorts of items throughout the city.
Food & Restaurants in Sacramento: The city prides itself on its ‘farm to fork’ cuisine culture, so you can expect to enjoy superb fresh produce in a variety of eateries. Visit local markets in Downtown and Midtown for a taste of Sacramento’s fresh fruit and vegetables and superb street food, especially Fremont Park on a Tuesday morning.
Nightlife: There’s plenty of entertainment after dark, especially in Midtown and Downtown, both offering wine bars, brewery pubs, speakeasies and other venues.
Things to do in Sacramento:
- Tour the California State Capitol building.
- See historic steam trains at the California State Railroad Museum.
- Step back in time and enjoy interactive displays at Fort Sutter.
- Discover incredible artworks at the Crocker Art Museum, housed in a magnificent old mansion.
- Take the kids to Fairytale Town to meet famous personalities like Eeyore from Winne the Pooh and Maddie, The Cow that Jumped Over the Moon.
Best way to get around: Rent a car to explore when you’re not walking around the downtown area.