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Sacramento is at the crossroads of politics, commerce, and agriculture, as both California’s state capital and the gateway to a fertile farming valley. Downtown, visitors can get cultured at the Capitol Building and Crocker Art Museum, while Midtown is the place to go for craft breweries and restaurants dishing up the region’s celebrated “farm-to-fork” cuisine. Along the riverfront, top things to do include in charming Old Sacramento include the Gold Rush exhibits, Delta King riverboat, and California State Railroad Museum.
It’s best to plan a visit to Sacramento in spring or fall when the weather isn’t too hot. These "shoulder seasons" avoid the rains and bad storms that usually take place November through February and the heat waves that can make some summer days unbearable. Summer isn’t usually the best time to visit Sacramento, unless you’re planning to go to California’s State Fair at the city’s Cal Expo Center in July.
Sacramento is one of the top ten largest cities in California. If you’re visiting one area, such as Downtown or Midtown, walking is your best option; however, if you’re planning to visit different parts of the city, a car is great way to do so. Most areas, such as Old Town, have either street parking or parking garages, along with ZipCar, taxi, and rideshare access.
For families, Sacramento’s Land Park neighborhood is one not to miss. It’s home to Fairytale Town, Funderland Amusement Park, and the Sacramento Zoo (complete with a carousel and life-size dinosaur exhibit)—and all three attractions are within walking distance of one another. Plus, the surrounding area offers plenty of green space for picnicking and lounging, along with duck and lily ponds.
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone PST (UTC -8) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 2 | Tours 87 | Reviews 440 |
Sacramento is well known for Capitol Park, home to government buildings and museums, but it’s also famous for its gold mining history, preserved architecture such as Sutter’s Fort, and hip farm-to-table dining scene. The American River is a draw and so is the Sacramento Kings NBA team.
...MoreYes, as California’s sixth largest city with a population of around 500,000 people, Sacramento is a big city. It’s the 35th largest US city. However, compare it to bigger neighboring cities such as San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle, and you’ll find they have larger populations, with varying population densities.
...MoreNo, Sacramento does not technically have an aquarium, but SeaQuest Aquarium is a half-hour drive in neighboring Folsom. Discover underwater life and also a rainforest habitat at the attraction. Children love to pet, feed, and observe creatures such as stingrays, sharks, toucans, snakes, and much more.
...MoreYou can do a lot in relatively flat Sacramento without a car, including walking through Capital Park or cycling along the American River. You can also use the light rail system to get further afield to Folsom, or travel quickly to places within the city, like Sutter’s Fort.
...MoreEast Sacramento is considered by many to be the nicest part of Sacramento. It’s 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from downtown and has a high safety average, lots of parks and jogging trails, and coffee shops and breweries. It’s good for families, with well-regarded schools and a charming aesthetic.
...MoreYes, Sacramento is worth visiting. Old Sacramento State Historic Park, Capitol Park, the California State Railroad Museum, and the Crocker Art Museum are a few of the reasons to visit. Walking down the tree-lined downtown, learning about the historical gold rush, and dining at farm-to-table restaurants are a few more.
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