Top 5 things to see and do in Sacramento

Don't miss Old Sacramento, a 12-block-square area featuring 53 historical buildings

Most snowbirds pass through Sacramento on I-5 in a rush to reach Southern California or Arizona, ignoring the city that boasts “California begins here.” If you stop in California’s capital and stay at the Cal Expo RV Park, the city will not disappoint. 

The Spanish first explored the area and were so impressed with the land and vegetation they said “it’s like the Holy Sacrament”—thus Sacramento. The city would eventually evolve around the junction of the Sacramento and American Rivers.

It was John Augustus Sutter, originally from Switzerland, who dreamed of an agricultural utopia, a state called New Helvetia (New Switzerland). Construction on his fort started in 1839, and for a few years Sutter’s dream was a reality. The only problem was James W. Marshall discovered gold on Sutter’s Mill at Coloma, 50 miles east, and the Gold Rush of 1849 changed California’s history forever. 

Sutter’s Fort

Located in downtown Sacramento, the fort is a National Historic Landmark and a State Historic Park. Located between I-5 and I-99 on L Street, the fort has been reconstructed, with only the central building remaining of the original adobe structures. The fort is 320 feet long, with two bastions and walls 30 inches thick. It’s 15 to 18 feet high and resembles the original. The buildings on the interior consist of a trade goods store, carpenter shop, kitchen, gun shop, barrel making area, loom for weaving, bakery, blacksmith shop, living quarters, Sutter’s office and antiques including cannons and a covered wagon. It is hands-on history, with school groups often on site learning to make bread or churn butter.   

Old Sacramento State Historic Park  

The original part of the city between I-5 and the Sacramento River was laid out by John Sutter, Jr. This 12-block-square area features 53 historical buildings including original storefronts, wooden business signs, veranda-covered boardwalks, old fashioned lamp posts and dry goods stores. You can even take underground tours of the original streets. Some of the more famous buildings include the Lady Adams Building, the Central Pacific Railway passenger building, the Eagle Theater, B.B. Barney Co., the Newton Booth Building and the B.F. Hastings Building.

There are a multitude of restaurants, bars and souvenir shops to keep any tourist content. For a unique experience, the Delta King Paddlewheeler moored on the Sacramento River serves as a hotel with fine dining in the Pilothouse Restaurant. The paddlewheeler captures the charm, grace and elegance of the steam era. 

Governor’s Mansion

If you wonder how the other half lives, visit the mansion on 16th and H Street. Originally it was built by hardware magnate Albert Gallatin in 1877, but not until 1903 did it become the elected governor’s residence. Thirteen state governors have lived in the mansion up until 1967, including Nancy and Ronald Reagan. Many famous people have signed the guest book, from Frank Sinatra to John F. Kennedy. The mansion has changed little since the Reagans left and has become a museum displaying artifacts of the 1960s. Today California is the only state that does not maintain a permanent residence for its governor. Tours are available. 
Not far from the mansion is the state legislature. It is surprising to learn how its parliamentary traditions and buildings are very similar to those of Canada. Tours are conducted to view the Assembly and the Senate, as well as selected offices.

Woodland Opera House

Woodland is a small town 20 minutes northwest of Sacramento off I-5. The Opera House is a State Historical Landmark as well as a working theatre. The theatre was built in 1896, closed in 1913 and re-opened in 1989 after a $2 million facelift. Going to the theatre is an experience in itself, as it is like stepping back into the Victorian era. The Opera House has all the trappings of an elegant theatre, with velvet drapes, wallpaper friezes, thick red carpets, carved pillars, chandeliers and a star-spangled dome roof. There are 644 seats surrounded by box seats, balcony and orchestra pit. The Opera House is a full modern theatre used for drama, musicals and a variety of shows. Tours are available.

California State Railroad Museum

Trains have always been an essential part of Sacramento’s history, with the Central Pacific Railroad passenger station serving as the western terminus for the First Transcontinental Railroad. Prior to the arrival of the train, Sacramento was the end of the line for the Pony Express.

The railroad museum is a 100,000-square-foot facility billed as “the finest railroad museum in North America.” The museum houses 20 restored locomotives and railroad cars as well as informative displays. Visitors learn about construction in the Sierra Mountains, working on the railroad, the Last and Lost Spikes, travel on the railroad and toy train exhibits. There’s a 20-minute film on the importance of the railroad to California. 

The museum also offers short train excursions. Train 2008 runs April through September and is a 40-minute ride along the Sacramento River. These excursions leave from the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot, a replica of the 1876 western terminus with a ticket office, telegraph office and waiting room.