Old Sacramento

Visitors to Old Sacramento explore dozens of attractions, including the California State Railroad Museum, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento History Museum, and the Pony Express Monument. Activities include horse and carriage rides and the Suspects Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre aboard the Delta King Riverboat, which has been converted into a hotel. This area also offers plenty of saloons, restaurants, and shops. A selection of tours are run by the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation.

• Old Sacramento is ideal for families and history buffs.

• The visitors’ center on 2nd Street offers information about Old Sacramento and the greater region.

• The district spans 8 blocks, so wear comfortable shoes.

Old Sacramento is located right off Interstate 5 (take the J Street exit) and a couple of blocks from the Sacramento Valley Amtrak station. It’s easily accessible for visitors arriving by train or by car. The Sacramento River Bike Trail runs along the waterfront.

Old Sacramento’s shops are generally open from late morning to early evening. Most eateries offer lunch and dinner, and several stay open until late. The area’s signature event, Gold Rush Days, takes place on Labor Day weekend (early September). Other events include ghost tours during the days leading up to Halloween and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony to kick off the holiday season.

After exploring Old Sacramento, head 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) southeast to the California State Capitol Museum for additional insight into California’s heritage. Artwork, historical items, and memorials are on display in the 19th-century building and its tree-filled Capitol Park.

Old Sacramento was the first neighborhood founded in the Californian capital. Dating back to the Gold Rush era of the mid-1850s, it became a lively commercial district along the Sacramento River. Today, the colorful neighborhood is known for its unique museums, locally-owned boutiques, and 53 registered historic buildings in Old Sacramento State Historic Park.

The California State Railroad Museum displays old locomotives—some dating back as far as the 1860s—and explains the role of steam travel in shaping California’s history. History buffs will also enjoy the Sacramento History Museum devoted to California’s “Living History.” Catch eclectic temporary exhibits on lowrider culture or women’s tattoos.

Some quirky local establishments include Fanny Anne’s Saloon, a vintage burger-and-beer joint that’s been around since 1973, and Munchies Salt Water Taffy, a family-owned candy business that has given Old Sacramento its sugar fix since 1988. There’s also the Firehouse Restaurant, a fine dining restaurant housed in a historic firehouse from the mid-1850s.

Yes, Old Sacramento State Historic Park is restricted to pedestrians. The waterfront district feels tailor-made for meandering on foot, although much of the neighborhood is uneven or cobblestoned. If your legs tire, hop on a horse-drawn carriage ride, sightseeing trolley, or tuk-tuk tour.

While June to August is the busiest time of year for tourism in Old Sacramento, early fall (roughly September through early November) is an ideal time to visit. You’ll experience milder but still sunny daytime temperatures. December is another excellent choice, as the waterfront neighborhood comes alive with Christmas festivities.

Consider a riverboat cruise. Although a typical sightseeing cruise usually lasts about an hour, you'll find various options. You’ll ride right by the Delta King, a historic riverboat now permanently docked as a restaurant and hotel, and pass under I Street and Tower bridges. You can also find pedal-powered boats and paddleboards.

Yes. Old Sacramento is a great option for families. Some kid-friendly standouts include the Old Sacramento School, a traditional one-room schoolhouse museum that shows kids how education looked in the 19th century, and the special “Gold Fever!” gold rush-themed interactive tour and game at the Sacramento History Museum.