Sacramento

Travel Guide

Sacramento featuring an administrative buidling and heritage architecture
Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park which includes a garden, a house and heritage architecture
Sacramento which includes interior views and a house
Sacramento showing interior views
Sacramento showing forests, general coastal views and landscape views

Go gold panning, admire historic architecture and explore fascinating museums in the capital of California, a city constructed on the funds from boomtown fortunes.

California’s capital, Sacramento, was built using fortunes made from gold mining. Come to the city today and you’ll sense that a gold rush-era atmosphere still endures. A strong cultural scene also thrives. Visit a wide range of museums and galleries devoted to such varied topics as train travel, famous Californian figures and Native American cultures that were almost erased by the rush of gold-seeking settlers in the mid 19th century.

The roots of modern-day Sacramento can be traced back to the California gold rush, which began in 1848. The discovery of gold in the nearby Sierra Foothills led to a mass influx of prospectors and the city was soon established.

Explore the Old Sacramento area near the port to soak up the old-world atmosphere and learn more about the wave of pioneers who arrived in search of their fortune. Shop for gold rush-inspired souvenirs in the shops, take a boat cruise along the Sacremento River and hop aboard a horse-drawn carriage.

Find out more about Sacramento’s early days in the area’s array of museums. Among the most notable are the California State Railroad Museum, the Sacramento History Museum, Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum and Huntington and Hopkins Hardware, a recreation of a 19th-century hardware store.

Of course, Sacramento’s history didn’t begin with the gold rush. Prior to this, the area was inhabited by Native Americans. Inspect artefacts and learn about the lives of the pre-gold rush inhabitants at the California State Indian Museum. The museum is adjacent to Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, where Swiss-German immigrant John Sutter set up a trading outpost in 1839., to view the state-owned art collection and the memorial-dotted grounds. Art lovers will also enjoy the Crocker Art Museum, with a 15,000-strong collection featuring everything from ceramics to Italian Baroque paintings to street photography.

Sacramento is located at the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers. Use buses, trolleys and light rail to get around town. To experience a more modern side of life in Sacramento, explore the hip Midtown district.

Where to stay in Sacramento

Greater Sacramento

Downtown Sacramento

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Sacramento. Top attractions like Golden 1 Center and K Street Mall are major draws, and you can catch the metro at 8th & H/County Center Station or 7th & I/County Center Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Sacramento
Sacramento featuring an administrative buidling and heritage architecture

Central Sacramento

If you're spending time in Central Sacramento, check out sights like Golden 1 Center or Sutter's Fort State Historic Park and hop on the metro to see more of the city at 29th Street Station or 39th Street Station.

Central Sacramento
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North Natomas

If you're spending some time in North Natomas, Park Place Shopping Center and North Natomas Library are top sights worth seeing.

North Natomas
Fort Sutter State Historical Park showing interior views

Midtown Sacramento

4/5(1 area review)

Discover Midtown Sacramento, memorable for its restaurants. Popular attractions in Midtown Sacramento include Sutter's Fort State Historic Park and State Indian Museum, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at 23rd Street Station.

Midtown Sacramento
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Southeastern Sacramento

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

While you're in Southeastern Sacramento, take in top sights like California Highway Patrol Headquarters or American River, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Power Inn Station or 48th Street Station.

Southeastern Sacramento
Greater Sacramento

Arden-Arcade

Arden-Arcade is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to American River Parkway or American River.

Arden-Arcade
Heritage Inn Express Roseville

Heritage Inn Express Roseville

2 out of 5
204 Harding Blvd, Roseville, CA
The price is RM301 per night from 28 Oct to 29 Oct
RM301
RM359 total
28 Oct - 29 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Roseville. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7/10 Good! (1,532 reviews)
"Everyone was very nice and very helpful the manager was very sweet I don't remember her name but she is good at what she does thank you for everything."

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Heritage Inn Express Roseville
Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown-Arena by IHG

Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown-Arena by IHG

3 out of 5
300 J St, Sacramento, CA
The price is RM522 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
RM522
RM608 total
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,447 reviews)
"Very close to DOCO area and Golden 1 Center making many restaurants and bars an easy walk. Nice, large room. Excellent breakfast."

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown-Arena by IHG
Hyatt Regency Sacramento

Hyatt Regency Sacramento

4 out of 5
1209 L St, Sacramento, CA
The price is RM720 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
RM720
RM839 total
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,999 reviews)
"Loved the room I was in!"

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Hyatt Regency Sacramento
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II

3.5 out of 5
1091 Pinehurst Ln, Palm Desert, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 7 outdoor pools, and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,192 reviews)
"Pool pictures was not at the resort I stayed at and was the min reason I booked the property. The second reason I booked were the outside games and bouldering wall pictures. Those were at the property it in a kids only area. I wanted us to be able to enjoy them together as a family. Both were a bit ..."

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
Sentral Gaslamp Quarter

Sentral Gaslamp Quarter

3 out of 5
502 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA
Stay at this 3-star hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour fitness center. Popular attractions Petco Park and Port of San Diego ...
9/10 Wonderful! (449 reviews)
"Great location downtown… walking distance to grocery store and fun entertainment. We had a great room with a balcony that wrapped around. They also had a beautiful rooftop terrace to lounge. The valet parking and housekeeping were a bit pricey."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Sentral Gaslamp Quarter
Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart Hotel

Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart Hotel

2.5 out of 5
1736 State St, San Diego, CA
Stay at this aparthotel in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Port of San Diego and USS Midway Museum ...
8/10 Very Good! (80 reviews)
"Our stay was convenient and in the heart of Little Italy"

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Sacramento

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 23%
4 - Good
6
4 - Good 46%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 23%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 8%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Visit Old Sacramento

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Went to Railway museum, we got there for 10am when it opened, watch the short video at 10:45, then the guided tourer follows on, both very informative. The Old Town is worth a visit, downtown is poor for a State Capital.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I loved the old town. Everyone I met was very friendly and wecoming. No pressure to buy in the stores but just really helpful. I can't wait to come back!