Sacramento is slowly but surely on its way to becoming a world-class tourist destination. Sure, it's not in the same league as Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco, but lower prices, fewer crowds and less traffic make it a great alternative to other California cities. Sacramento is a cosmopolitan oasis rich with fine dining, high-end shopping, world-class museums and performing arts. Best of all, its central location means the ocean and mountains are only a short car ride away. Once a sleepy commuter town centered on state politics and agriculture, Sacramento has quickly blossomed into a bustling metropolis.
The transformation was no doubt spurred in part by the influx of outpriced Bay Area transplants and the state’s celebrity governor, who brought a touch of refinement to this formerly down-to-earth town.
But Sacramento can't escape its past, and remnants of its golden era are found on every corner. Having begun as a base for miners on their way to the nearby Sierra Nevada during the Gold Rush era, the city is rich with 19th-century history.
Sacramento's central core—composed of its downtown and midtown areas, where most attractions are located—is relatively compact and easy to navigate by a lettered and numbered grid system. Most hotels are located within walking distance of major sites, and taxis are readily available. To reach outlying areas of town, rent a car. Parking is inexpensive and easy to find, and public transportation is often unreliable.
Guests of participating hotels can save a buck or two by picking up a complimentary Sacramento Gold Card. The card offers savings—many two-for-one admissions or pricing—at dozens of restaurants, attractions and merchants throughout town. The Sacramento Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, at 1608 I St., can help with room reservations at participating merchants or provide any other information you may need. Call 916-808-7777 or visit www.discovergold.org.
While not on par with the great cities of the world in terms of accommodations, Sacramento enjoys its share of high-end lodgings, boutique hotels and mid-range options. By far the best choices are the Hyatt Regency and Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, located in the heart of downtown, or the Embassy Suites on the riverfront. For a unique experience, book a room on the Riverboat Delta King, a 1920s paddle wheeler permanently moored in Old Sacramento. Indulge in the romantic luxury of The Sterling Hotel, a Victorian-era mansion turned hotel, or the cozy, residential hospitality of the Amber House Bed & Breakfast. A moderately-priced option includes the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza - Sacramento, conveniently located between Old Sacramento and the Downtown Plaza Shopping Center.
DAY 1
Follow in the footsteps of the forty-niners and begin your tour of the River City in Old Sacramento. Plan your itinerary over breakfast at the Rio City Café, where you can enjoy frangelico French toast or Cajun beef hash while gazing at the Sacramento River on the outdoor patio. Get acquainted by strolling along the raised wooden sidewalks and admire the 19th-century architecture.
As you look past the modern souvenir shops and restaurants, it’s easy to imagine their former glory as general stores, saloons and bathhouses. Of particular interest is the B.F. Hastings building, which served as the Western terminus for the Pony Express; the Eagle Theatre, a replica of the first theater in California; and the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse, a reproduction of a one-room schoolhouse typical of the Old West. Many of these buildings now house shops and boutiques; besides souvenir T-shirts and fake gold nuggets, you'll also find unique—sometimes wacky—gifts at Evangeline, Hollywood memorabilia at Stage Nine Entertainment Store, Earth-friendly home goods at the Solar Syndicate, and nostalgic collectibles at Brooks Novelty Antiques and Records.
For a more in-depth perspective of Old Town, visit the Old Sacramento Visitors Center and take an hour-long Historical Walking Tour through the Old Sacramento Living History Program, led by a costumed docent. For a lighthearted take on the city’s sordid history, take the Hysterical Walk comedic tour led by prospectors and riverboat gamblers, or a Ghost Tour hosted by the spirits of the dead. Or take to the water for an hour-long river cruise on the historic paddle wheeler, the Spirit of Sacramento.
After a morning of sightseeing, it's time for lunch at Fat City. Housed in the Brannan Building, one of the first general merchandise stores in Old Town, the restaurant is decorated in Victorian artifacts, Tiffany-style lamps and beveled glass windows. The varied menu offers something for everyone, from satisfying entrée salads to burgers, sandwiches and pasta.
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The State Railroad Museum |
After lunch, continue your trip back in time with a visit to one of the most popular attractions in Old Sacramento. The California State Railroad Museum, which traces the history of railroading and its impact on California, features restored 19th-century traincars, a steam locomotive and a reconstructed train depot. During the summer you can hop aboard a steam train for a six-mile excursion atop the levees of the Sacramento River.
Other nearby museums include the Discovery Museum of Sacramento, featuring interactive exhibits that bring the history of the Gold Rush to life; the California Military Museum, featuring artifacts, documents and memorabilia of California’s rich military history; and the Wells Fargo History Museum, which depicts the early days of commerce through gold, stagecoaches and a telegraph.
For dinner, the options in Old Sacramento are endless. Dozens of restaurants come and go, but there’s no better place to unwind than The Firehouse. Located in the same brick building in which one of the city’s first engine companies was housed, the restaurant has a top-notch menu and an elegant setting. It also boasts a beautiful outdoor patio and a world-class wine list.
Or, for something more casual, head to Three Monkeys, with its eclectic menu featuring everything from sushi to burgers to grilled meat.
Continue to Day 2
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