The Capitol building's design was modeled after the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The rotunda floor is constructed from marble sourced from three different countries: Italy, Belgium, and Germany.
Capitol Park contains a memorial grove that includes trees transplanted from historic sites across the globe.
The building survived a major seismic retrofit that involved installing base isolators to allow it to shift during earthquakes.
The original 1869 chandeliers were converted from gas to electric power in the early 20th century.
The building houses a dedicated vault that once contained the state's original financial records and gold reserves.
The California State Capitol Museum serves as both a working seat of government and a repository of state history located within the historic neoclassical Capitol building. Visitors can access reconstructed rooms from the 1906 era, including the offices of the Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Governor. The building features an ornate rotunda with a 128-foot-high dome and a colorful mosaic floor depicting California's history. Exhibit halls showcase legislative milestones, political artifacts, and changing historical displays. Surrounding the museum is a 40-acre park featuring tree species from every continent. The site functions as a living archive of California's transition from territory to statehood. Access is permitted to both chambers of the legislature when in session, providing insight into current political processes.
The center of the rotunda looking upward toward the dome.
Use the self-guided brochure available at the entrance to navigate the historic offices on the ground floor.
Visit the basement level for exhibits detailing the history of the Capitol's construction and renovation.
Check the legislative calendar before visiting to see if you can observe an active debate from the gallery.
Do not attempt to enter restricted legislative staff offices or bypass security screening checkpoints.
Closed on major state and federal holidays; legislative chambers may be restricted during private sessions.
Visitors must pass through security screening; business-casual attire is encouraged but not strictly enforced.
