Amazing Sacramento

Sacramento is located in the Central Valley of California about 93 miles northeast of San Francisco. The city sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers.

The State Capitol Building is a great example of neo-Classical architecture. It is the center of state government. Here you’ll also find the California State Capitol Museum. Visitors can tour the historic halls. Among the preserved rooms in the museum are the governor’s main office and the treasurer’s office from 1906.

Outside the capitol building are colorful gardens with tall palms and pathways for walking. There are also several monuments.

The Vietnam War Memorial is a bronze group sculpture. Since 1988 it can be seen in the northeast part of Capitol Park.

The Crocker Art Museum has a collection of artworks from the California Gold Rush Era to the present. There are also European paintings and drawings as well as American photography. The original collection was donated by Margaret Crocker. The private collection was put together by Judge Edwin B. Crocker. The main building is an Italian Victorian-era mansion, a California Historical Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. Since 2010 some displays of art can be seen in the Teel Family Pavilion. Children age five and under can enjoy Tot Land with playful activities and hands-on creative installations.

Old Sacramento stretches for eight blocks along the waterfront. It has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. There are over 50 historic buildings with shops, restaurants, hotels, and museums.

Old Sacramento State Historic Park includes Gold Rush-era structures.

Among the highlights of things to do in Old Sacramento are a horse-drawn carriage ride, having a riverboat excursion, or taking a train ride aboard a vintage locomotive.

Sutter’s Fort Museum is located on the site of the first outpost of white man in California. It was set up by German-Swiss immigrant Johann August Sutter in 1839. The adobe house that was built that same year has been restored and the museum has relics of the pioneering and gold-rush period.

The California Automobile Museum has a collection of over 120 vintage automobiles on display from 1855 to the present. There are special exhibits which focus on various themes like California car culture, pickup trucks, camping, and road trips. The museum features a summer series of Drive-In Movie Nights.

If you’re traveling with children enjoy Fairytale Town. This is a storybook-themed park with 25 playsets featuring fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Children can also enjoy farm animals. Other highlights here include the learning gardens, puppet shows, and the collection of 20 “magic story boxes” telling stories through narration and songs.

The Sacramento Zoo is a favorite among visitors with over 500 exotic animals like aardvarks, African lions, giraffes, and jaguars. Among favorites here are red pandas, snow leopards, chimpanzees, and orangutans. Fourteen aviaries have 35 species of birds.

Explore the surrounding William Land Park alongside the zoo which is also home to Fairytale Land. There is extensive parkland with paved and dirt trails and landscape features such as ponds and gardens.

The California State Indian Museum offers a look into the culture and lifestyle of Native Americans. The museum illustrates Native American life according to three themes – Family, Nature, and Spirit. Exhibits display items used in everyday life like a redwood canoe and hunting and fishing tools. There are interesting photographs to see. Among the highlights is the Indian basket collection with over 3,000 woven items. Visitors can enjoy hands-on activities.

Midtown is a vibrant and bustling part of the city. The top attraction here is Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. The area has great shopping, art galleries, theater and dance performances, comedy shows, and trendy restaurants. There are street performers on every corner.

The Midtown Farmers Market brings everyone together on the second Saturday of each month. There are over 50 farmers and vendors selling fruit, vegetables, and food products.

The American River Trail is a well-maintained paved path that is part of the American River Parkway Regional Park. It is lined with large, shady oak trees and is popular for strolling and hiking. This is a 32-mile trail that runs along the American River and starts at the city of Folsom and ends in Old Sacramento. People also enjoy cycling, jogging, and horseback riding along the trail.

McKinley Park is one of the city’s busiest parks. There are plenty of places for recreation and plenty of spaces for sports like basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts as well as softball and soccer fields. During the summer months, there is a swimming and wading pool. Within the park is a library and community center. There are winding paths for walking among palm trees and ponds.

Leland Stanford Mansion is an amazing Victorian-era structure. It is located right in downtown. Tours are available.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is a California architectural landmark. It has a neo-Classical interior with a domed ceiling and decorative details. There are lovely stained-glass windows.