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 artifacts 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
Default Image

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
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
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 Sacramento Art Complex, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at 23rd Street Station.

Midtown 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
Old Sacramento which includes signage and heritage architecture

Old Sacramento

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

The ample dining options and beautiful river views are top of the list for many visitors to Old Sacramento. A stop by Old Sacramento Waterfront or Sacramento History Museum might round out your trip.

Old Sacramento
Hyatt Regency Sacramento

Hyatt Regency Sacramento

4 out of 5
1209 L St, Sacramento, CA
The price is RM648 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
RM648
RM756 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
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! (1,966 reviews)
"The agent at check in was very helpful and friendly"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Hyatt Regency Sacramento
Heritage Inn Express Roseville

Heritage Inn Express Roseville

2 out of 5
204 Harding Blvd, Roseville, CA
The price is RM330 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
RM330
RM392 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
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 ...
6.8/10 (1,361 reviews)
"I stay there every time I go to Roseville"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Heritage Inn Express Roseville
Kimpton Sawyer Hotel by IHG

Kimpton Sawyer Hotel by IHG

4 out of 5
500 J Street, Sacramento, CA
The price is RM758 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
RM758
RM1,007 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy a 24-hour fitness center, WiFi (surcharge), and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,105 reviews)
"This was our first time there and we loved it all.."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Kimpton Sawyer Hotel by IHG
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,030 reviews)
"Definitely our place to go for a getaway"

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert

4 out of 5
75 Willow Ridge, Palm Desert, CA
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,083 reviews)
"I liked that there were multiple pools so that it didn’t feel over crowded. I didn’t like how cloudy the pools were and I checked all the pools. I don’t know what it was from but just didn’t seem clean or well maintained. But that’s definitely something that can be fixed."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
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! (20 reviews)
"The property was at a great location. Lots of restaurants around, walkable. We even got to go to the farmers market on saturday. Which was a couple houses down the street."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 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!