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, Sundance Lake and Park Place Shopping Center 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
Hyatt Regency Sacramento

Hyatt Regency Sacramento

4 out of 5
1209 L St, Sacramento, CA
The price is RM716 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
RM716
RM835 total
12 Oct - 13 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! (1,986 reviews)
"Very nice staff, clean rooms and good food."

Reviewed on 3 Oct 2025

Hyatt Regency Sacramento
Governors Inn Hotel

Governors Inn Hotel

3 out of 5
210 Richards Blvd, Sacramento, CA
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,869 reviews)
"The surrounding area is really unsafe and dirty. But the actual hotel is great!"

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2025

Governors Inn Hotel
Heritage Inn Express Roseville

Heritage Inn Express Roseville

2 out of 5
204 Harding Blvd, Roseville, CA
The price is RM324 per night from 9 Oct to 10 Oct
RM324
RM385 total
9 Oct - 10 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! (1,519 reviews)
"Great location , clean property, friendly staff ! Thank you"

Reviewed on 3 Oct 2025

Heritage Inn Express Roseville
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.
Lake Minden RV Resort-Campground

Lake Minden RV Resort-Campground

2 out of 5
1256 Marcum Road, Nicolaus, CA
Book a stay at this beach campground in Nicolaus. Enjoy free parking, laundry facilities, and tennis courts.
"Place inside was very cute. It had some amenities that i was told i needed to bring myself. Pink mold around inside of door trim and shower head. Bed frames did not fit the mattress. Other than that the stay was good. Oh, was not inform asw to where to leave the key if nobody was in the office. If ..."

Reviewed on 14 Aug 2023

Lake Minden RV Resort-Campground
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!