Sacramento Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

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, Sleep Train Arena 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 State Indian Museum, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at 23rd Street Station.

Midtown Sacramento
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
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
Hyatt Regency Sacramento

Hyatt Regency Sacramento

4 out of 5
1209 L St, Sacramento, CA
The price is £134 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
£134
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,955 reviews)
"A very nice property at an affordable price."

Reviewed on 31 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 £69 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
£69
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Roseville. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
6.8/10 (1,384 reviews)
"Nothing"

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Heritage Inn Express Roseville
SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Sacramento Cal Expo

SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Sacramento Cal Expo

2.5 out of 5
1900 Canterbury Road, Sacramento, CA
The price is £58 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
£58
6 Aug - 7 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value ...
7/10 Good! (933 reviews)
"The room was great for a quick night to stay"

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Sacramento Cal Expo
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.
3 bedroom LOVE VILLA Midtown, Romantic Getaway or Famil Retreat

3 bedroom LOVE VILLA Midtown, Romantic Getaway or Famil Retreat

Sacramento, CA
Stay at this villa in Sacramento. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Golden 1 Center and Discovery Park are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (21 reviews)
Perfect stay
"We loved this rental clean available parking kitchen had everything we needed for our week stay quick communication look forward to staying next time we’re in the area"

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

3 bedroom LOVE VILLA Midtown, Romantic Getaway or Famil Retreat
Charming Storybook Home by Carr Jones

Charming Storybook Home by Carr Jones

Sacramento, CA
Stay at this holiday home in Sacramento. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a sauna. Popular attractions Golden 1 Center and Discovery Park are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (103 reviews)
"What a wonderful and beautiful home. Reading the history of it and who built it was wonderful. Inside the home has the moat amazing things including from Folsom prison. The house had everything we needed for the weekend were we didnt have to leave unless we choose to. Would definitely stay here ..."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2025

Charming Storybook Home by Carr Jones
Executive Traveler's Retreat

Executive Traveler's Retreat

Sacramento, CA
Stay at this holiday home in Sacramento. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Golden 1 Center and Arden Fair Mall are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
Sacramento getaway
"perfect spot, 2nd time.."

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

Executive Traveler's Retreat
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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