What to do in Sacramento, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

Sacramento featuring an administrative building and heritage architecture
Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park showing a park, a house and a city
Sacramento featuring a house and interior views
Sacramento featuring interior views
Sacramento featuring general coastal views, forests and landscape views

Sacramento Attractions

State capital of California, burnished by hazy sunshine, Sacramento flourished during the California Gold Rush. The name derives from Spanish explorers, who compared the area’s spectacular natural beauty to the Blessed Sacrament. A buzzing foodie scene can be found here, with a regular succession of prestigious restaurants springing up to serve innovative cuisine made with locally-sourced ingredients, and annual festivals dedicated to beer, wine and cocktails. While there is certainly a modern flavour to Sacramento though, it hasn’t relinquished its past either, and the historic Old Sacramento district has been elegantly curated while becoming a popular tourist destination.

Areas & Neighbourhoods in Sacramento

Downtown - There is a flourishing cultural vibe going on in downtown Sacramento, of particular interest to theatre-goers who are spoiled with a number of great venues. You’ll also encounter plenty of boutique retail outlets and fine-dining restaurants in an area that’s never dull day or night.

Old Sacramento - A National Historic Landmark, with gorgeous colonial architecture reminiscent of Paris and Spain, Old Sacramento is lined with multi-storied townhouses, many of them decorated with wrought-iron balconies. There are several excellent museums here that illuminate the city’s past, and a charming old riverboat moored up. Old Sacramento, while never kitsch, is still very much geared-up for visitors, with many festivals and events throughout the year, and plenty of restaurants and gift shops to browse.

Midtown - The culturally-diverse heart of Sacramento, Midtown is replete with stylish shops, diverse dining options, art galleries and funky nightspots. Getting around is easy too, as it’s pedestrian and cycle-friendly.

East Sacramento - Home to McKinley Park, with its beautiful rose garden, if you’re visiting East Sacramento then don’t miss a stroll down the Fabulous Forties, several blocks lined with well-preserved historic mansion houses. Ronald Reagan, when he was Governor of California, had his residence here.

Things to See in Sacramento

Take a scenic boat cruise along the river to learn the history of Sacramento from the gold-prospecting days to the present, before exploring the majestic Old Sacramento district. Make a point of stopping by Sutter's Fort while you’re there - this restored adobe structure was built by John Sutter, whose employee made the find that kick-started the California Gold Rush. In the evenings, catch a show in the downtown theatre district, where major productions vie for audiences with often superb local plays.

Things to Do in Sacramento

You can take a step back in time with a ride on a historic train or a restored paddle boat departing from Old Sacramento. Gourmets will have the time of their lives exploring an exciting restaurant scene where the local chefs take pride in using seasonal produce sourced from Californian farms. If you fancy getting out and about in the Great Outdoors meanwhile, there’s the chance of a private guided hiking expedition in the High Sierra mountains, just out of Sacramento proper, with expansive views to be had of California’s most dynamite scenery.


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What to do in Sacramento


Popular places to visit

Explore areas of 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
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North Natomas

If you're spending some time in North Natomas, Natomas Town Center and Sundance Lake 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)

Ride the old railway, admire the historic buildings and enjoy modern shopping and dining in this beautiful Gold Rush town.

Old Sacramento

 

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Day trip destinations from Sacramento