Things to do in Sacramento, California
- Sacramento sits below sea level, requiring a complex system of levees and weirs to manage flooding from the surrounding river systems.
- The city is often called the 'Farm-to-Fork Capital' of America, benefiting from its location in the heart of California's Central Valley, which produces a significant portion of the country's specialty crops.
- During the Gold Rush, the city was built on a series of filled-in ground levels; remnants of the original 1850s street level can still be seen in the subterranean areas of Old Sacramento.
- In 1910, the city held the first-ever international air meet, which served as a major catalyst for the aviation industry in the region.
- The city's street grid layout, designed in 1849, features wide, tree-lined boulevards that were specifically engineered to allow for rapid drainage and cooling during hot valley summers.
About Sacramento, California
Sacramento serves as the capital of California, uniquely positioned at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers. The city balances its Gold Rush legacy, centered around the Old Sacramento Waterfront, with a modern focus on agricultural innovation and legislative governance. Visitors explore the history of regional transportation at the California State Railroad Museum and the political heritage housed within the California State Capitol Museum. Beyond history, the city maintains extensive public green spaces, including the iconic McKinley Rose Garden and the extensive William Land Regional Park.
Highlights of Sacramento, California
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
Explore preserved 19th-century commercial buildings that served as the terminus for the Pony Express.
Museums
View an extensive collection of restored steam locomotives and historic railway equipment.
Museums
Tour the working seat of California's state government and see its historic legislative chambers.
Museums
Visit the oldest art museum west of the Mississippi to see a diverse collection of European and California art.
Parks
Walk the grounds of the 1839 settlement that became the focal point of the California Gold Rush.
Parks
Walk through a historic public garden featuring over 1,200 individual rose bushes.
Museums
Engage with interactive exhibits focused on engineering and regional environmental science.
Venues
Attend a professional performance at a recognized regional venue that fosters local theater and community arts.
Top things to do in Sacramento, California
The 83 highest-rated places in Sacramento, California, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
Old Sacramento Waterfront is a 28-acre National Historic Landmark District featuring a dense concentration of preserved...
2
Zoos
The Sacramento Zoo, located within William Land Park, houses over 500 individual animals representing more than 120 spec...
3
Museums
The California State Railroad Museum is a massive facility showcasing over 20 meticulously restored locomotives and rail...
4
Parks
William Land Regional Park is a 166-acre urban greenspace in Sacramento that houses the Sacramento Zoo and the William L...
5
Museums
The California State Capitol Museum serves as both a working seat of government and a repository of state history locate...
6
Museums
The Crocker Art Museum is the oldest continuously operating art museum in the Western United States. It is housed in the...
7
Parks
Discovery Park is a 302-acre regional park situated at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers. It serves a...
8
Parks
Hagan Community Park serves as the primary municipal recreational hub for Rancho Cordova, spanning approximately 80 acre...
9
Parks
Southside Park is a 19-acre historic community park in downtown Sacramento featuring a large central pond. The park incl...
10
Parks
Sutter's Fort State Historic Park is a reconstructed 1839 agricultural trade colony located in downtown Sacramento. John...
11
Parks
The McKinley Rose Garden is a historic botanical collection located within McKinley Park in Sacramento. The site showcas...
12
Places of interest
Tower Bridge is a vertical lift bridge spanning the Sacramento River, connecting the cities of Sacramento and West Sacra...
13
Temples
The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament serves as the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento and is th...
14
Museums
The SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC) is a regional science center located in a renovated historic powerhouse...
15
Parks
William B. Pond Picnic Facilities is a primary access point for the American River Parkway, located along the northern l...
16
Venues
The Sofia is a purpose-built performing arts center in midtown Sacramento housing the B Street Theatre company. The faci...
17
Venues
Heart Health Park is a soccer-specific stadium located on the grounds of Cal Expo in Sacramento. It serves as the home v...
18
Parks
César Chávez Plaza serves as the historic heart of downtown Sacramento, functioning as a primary civic space since the c...
19
Museums
The Sacramento Children's Museum is a dedicated space specifically designed for children under the age of eight. Located...
20
Venues
Broadway Sacramento operates as the region's largest nonprofit musical theatre company, hosting touring Broadway product...
21
Parks
Sutter's Landing Regional Park is situated on the southern bank of the American River in Sacramento, featuring direct ac...
22
Museums
The Sacramento History Museum is located in Old Sacramento State Historic Park and focuses on the city's transformation...
23
Parks
River Walk Park is a waterfront public space located on the west bank of the Sacramento River in West Sacramento. It fea...
24
Museums
The California Automobile Museum houses a rotating collection of over 150 vintage, antique, and classic cars located in...
25
Parks
26
Parks
27
Venues
28
Parks
29
Parks
30
Parks
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Sacramento, California on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Sacramento, California
Spring (April to May) or Fall (late September to October) to avoid the intense heat of the Central Valley summers.
2-3 days, allowing enough time to explore the historical district, art museums, and regional park systems.
The city is served by the SacRT light rail system and buses, though a car is often preferred for reaching peripheral parks and surrounding attractions.
Stay in Downtown or Midtown for proximity to major museums, galleries, and the dining district, or choose the historic Old Sacramento area for a traditional atmosphere.
Mid-range; lodging and dining prices are generally lower than in coastal California cities like San Francisco or Los Angeles.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 83 curated attractions in and around Sacramento, California, ranked by traveller ratings.
Old Sacramento Waterfront is the highest-rated place to visit in Sacramento, California right now.
The largest category is parks, with 42 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Bayonne, New Jersey, Downtown Los Angeles, Washington, D.C..
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