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
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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
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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
Hyatt Regency Sacramento

Hyatt Regency Sacramento

4 out of 5
1209 L St, Sacramento, CA
The price is Rp2.507.670 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp2.507.670
Rp2.925.072 total
24 Aug - 25 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! (1,966 reviews)
"Ordered towels and never received them. Otherwise I would have given 5 stars because we liked the front desk guy Angelo. He was very nice!"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Hyatt Regency Sacramento
Kimpton Sawyer Hotel by IHG

Kimpton Sawyer Hotel by IHG

4 out of 5
500 J Street, Sacramento, CA
Fully refundable
The price is Rp2.638.790 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
Rp2.638.790
Rp3.555.949 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy a 24-hour fitness centre, Wi-Fi (surcharge) and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,125 reviews)
"Level of communication offered by all staff. Genuine kindness and willingness to offer assistance in every area of your stay"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Kimpton Sawyer Hotel by IHG
Hyatt Place Sacramento International Airport

Hyatt Place Sacramento International Airport

3 out of 5
4850 DUCKHORN DR, BUILDING B, Sacramento, CA
The price is Rp1.935.318 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp1.935.318
Rp2.235.196 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,177 reviews)
"Our stay was great aside from breakfast not being included despite being told it was at check-in. I was even willing to pay for the breakfast if it was better than other hotels but it was your standard affair. Not great form and should be advertised as a paid breakfast, not free."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Hyatt Place Sacramento International Airport
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 Wi-Fi, 7 outdoor pools and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,061 reviews)
"great experience"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
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 Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Port of San Diego and Petco Park are ...
7.6/10 Good! (31 reviews)
"It was very nice and convenient"

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart Hotel
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 Wi-Fi, 4 outdoor pools and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,117 reviews)
"We enjoyed it"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
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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