Greater Sacramento

Travel Guide

Greater Sacramento featuring skyline
Vikingsholm Castle which includes general coastal views, landscape views and tranquil scenes
Sacramento which includes street scenes
Inspiration Point Vista which includes a lake or waterhole
Vikingsholm Castle showing a beach and general coastal views

California’s capital and its surroundings have attractions for all interests, from cultural destinations, to clear lakes, to a history riddled with gold.

Greater Sacramento is a Northern California travel hub. The region gets more than 230 days of sunshine annually. Take advantage of this famously favorable weather and explore the cultural offerings and natural wonders in the heart of gold country. Enjoy crisp zinfandel wines in Lodi.

Discover the hive of activity in SacramentoOpens in a new window, California’s capital city. Tour the State CapitolOpens in a new window, which resembles the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Learn about California’s history and famous residents at the California Museum. In Old SacramentoOpens in a new window, travel back to 1849, when people raced to Gold Country to find their fortunes. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage along the Sacramento River or ride behind the Sacramento Southern Railroad’s steam locomotive.

About 115 miles (185 kilometers) east of Sacramento, reach Lake TahoeOpens in a new window. The topaz-blue lake surrounded by soaring mountains is an unforgettable sight. Visit in winter to ski or snowboard, or in summer to swim, boat or hike. Enjoy Kings Beach State Recreation AreaOpens in a new window’s sandy shoreline. Discover what lakeside life in 1909 was like at the impeccably preserved Watson Cabin Living Museum and learn about the 1846 winter tragedies for snowbound pioneers at Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center. Enjoy powdery snow at Squaw Valley Alpine MeadowsOpens in a new window or HeavenlyOpens in a new window, two of the lake’s major ski resorts.

See where California’s gold mining history began at Marshall Gold Discovery. In Coloma, a sawmill worker caught a glimpse of gold in the American River’s silt, jumpstarting the 1849 Gold Rush. Tour the Gold Discovery Museum and try panning for gold.

Greater Sacramento is filled with outdoor recreation opportunities. For a low-key lake experience, visit Lake Natoma on the American River between Folsom Dam and Nimbus Dam. This is a perfect place to go kayaking, swimming or rowing. Enjoy California sunshine at Castle Oaks Golf Club. The 18-hole course is consistently ranked among Northern California’s finest.

Between hiking trails, vineyards, museum exhibits and more, Greater Sacramento has widely diverse activities. Find your favorite pastime here or try something new.

Where to stay in Greater 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
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Apple Hill

While visiting Apple Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Apple Mountain Golf Resort and Time Out Spa.

Apple Hill
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
Heritage Inn Express Roseville

Heritage Inn Express Roseville

2 out of 5
204 Harding Blvd, Roseville, CA
The price is RM296 per night from 22 Oct to 23 Oct
RM296
RM354 total
22 Oct - 23 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 RM719 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
RM719
RM838 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! (3,186 reviews)
"Roomy, comfortable bed, quiet, and clean."

Reviewed on 10 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.

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