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 Sacremento

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 building 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 which includes 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 Sacremento

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 heritage architecture and signage

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 RM650 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
RM650
RM758 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (1,963 reviews)
"I really like the Hotel, and Would come back in a minute on my next trip through Sacramento. My only complaint is when towels get thin take them out of service, kind of hard to get dry after a shower. This is nothing that would keep me from coming back."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Hyatt Regency Sacramento
Heritage Inn Express Roseville
Heritage Inn Express Roseville
2 out of 5
204 Harding Blvd, Roseville, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM297 per night from 15 Jul to 16 Jul
RM297
RM355 total
15 Jul - 16 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 (1,335 reviews)
"The price was right. The location served our needs. Close to businesses we frequent when home. Renovations are updating the rooms nicely. Didn’t have time to use pool, but room is clean, AC works well and parking by our room is available at no extra charge. Mattresses are softer than I like, but ..."

Reviewed on 11 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 RM745 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
RM745
RM992 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (1,088 reviews)
"Very nice property in a shabby neighborhood"

Reviewed on 8 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! (3,007 reviews)
"Friendly staff. Property has several pools. Took the free shuttle to the JW Marriott, saw their beautiful grounds, and multiple food options. Our patio right on the golf course (nice views)"

Reviewed on 14 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! (3,058 reviews)
"Great food, service and ambience, dinner at Agave was delicious, my only complain during our stay would be that the sofa bed is horrible. My son woke me up at 2 am to help him close the sofa bed so he can sleep on the couch because it was so uncomfortable!!! Still our favorite local hotel, but next ..."

Reviewed on 10 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! (15 reviews)
Convenient location
"The location is great, right in the heart of little Italy, and walking distance to a lot of places. The room itself was clean, but quite small. The air conditioner really struggled to keep up, and the power went off and back on at least 5x while we were in the room over a 2 night stay."

Reviewed on 2 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