1-Day Itinerary in Sacramento

20 attractions to visit in Sacramento

Thus, on the following map, there are marked 20 points of tourist attraction that can be visited in Sacramento through a good walk through its downtown. Be sure to explore them and add them to your travel itineraries if you make a quick stop in the city.

1. Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

1019 11th Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is part of the Catholic Church and is considered one of the three most important buildings in the city's history. It was built in 1887 during a time when the city was transitioning from a mining town to a state capital. The architectural style of the church is Italian Renaissance on the exterior and Victorian on the interior. Over the years, it has been adapted for more modern uses while maintaining its original style. Due to its size and the grandeur of its building, it has been used multiple times as a venue for funerals of former California governors and other distinguished members.

2. State Capitol Park World Peace Rose Garden

1317 15th Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

Established in 2003, this rose garden spans just over 1700 square meters, following a Victorian-style design, and showcases about 650 roses from over 140 varieties of colors and fragrances. There are several flower beds scattered throughout the garden, all leading to the Pavilion of Peace, a small courtyard with a fountain in the center and several benches around for visitors to rest and admire the stunning beauty. Within this garden, there are 44 inspirational messages of peace engraved on individual plaques placed strategically throughout the garden to serve as inspiration.

3. California Firefighters Memorial

State Capitol Park - 1317 15th Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

It is a memorial located in the middle of Sacramento's Capitol Park, primarily dedicated to honoring firefighters who have served the state of California since its formation in 1850 and died while on duty or due to other diseases or injuries related to their service. The centerpiece of this memorial is an impressive limestone wall inscribed with over 1,300 firefighter names. Adjacent to this wall, there are two bronze statues representing firefighters in action: 'Holding the Line' (featuring 4 firefighters working together) and 'Fallen Brother' (a distressed firefighter carrying a colleague).

4. California State Capitol Park

State Capitol Park - 1317 15th Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

This park began construction in 1860 under the direction of Leland Stanford, the governor of California at that time. It is located around the California State Capitol building in the heart of Sacramento, boasting hundreds of trees from around the world. Over the years, the park has undergone various changes and currently houses over 800 trees, including 210 distinct species. Some are original plantings from the 1870s, such as Himalayan Cedars grown from seeds imported from China. Throughout the garden, visitors can also find several statues, memorials, and various points of interest.

5. The Civil War Memorial Grove

State Capitol Park - 1317 15th Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

The first monument in the park, it's essentially a small grove that represents a living and growing tribute to the thousands of men who lost their lives in the American Civil War. This war was one of the most traumatic periods in American history, dividing families, brothers, friends, and neighbors. The Civil War Memorial Grove was inaugurated on May 1, 1896, 31 years after the surrender and the end of the war, by an organization of wives and daughters of veterans. It took almost a year for planning, fundraising, and planting the various trees and shrubs.

6. Capitólio Estadual

1315 10th Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

It's the seat of the California state government. The building was constructed between 1860 and 1874, spanning 6 floors, and features a neoclassical style on the exterior, bearing some resemblance to the Washington Capitol but on a smaller scale. Designed by architect Reuben S. Clark from Clark & Kenitzer, one of the oldest architecture firms in San Francisco, it has been part of the National Register of Historic Places since April 1973. The grand Corinthian columns and granite arches signify its significant importance and storied history within the United States. Curiosity: Since the construction of the California State Capitol in Sacramento, the building has undergone a series of improvements. Initially, expansions were made to increase its size. Between 1975 and 1982, significant efforts were focused on reinforcing and protecting the structures from earthquakes. Although not typically considered a region prone to seismic events, Sacramento experienced two earthquakes within a few days of each other in 1892, causing significant damage to the Capitol.

7. Leland Stanford Mansion

800 N Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

This mansion was originally constructed between 1856 and 1857 as a two-story house for merchant Shelton Fogus. However, in 1861, it was acquired by Leland Stanford just before he became the eighth Governor of California. The house underwent significant remodeling, expanding to four stories to accommodate the occupants' needs. In 1900, following the death of her husband and only child, Jane Stanford donated the house to the Bishop of Sacramento to serve as a home for children without families. By the late 1980s, the children's home relocated, and the house was sold to the state, which preserved it and designated it a historic landmark.

8. Capitol Mall

Capitol Mall, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

Also known as Capitol Mall Boulevard, it's one of the main landscaped streets and avenues in the capital of Sacramento, connecting the city from the west side, which we've been visiting, to the historic downtown area, stretching from the city's prominent building—the State Capitol—to the riverfront. Along this street, which boasts ample greenery, including trees and flower-filled gardens, some of the city's major companies and law firms are situated. There are over 29 office buildings in total, and this area sees a daily workforce of more than 75,000 people.

Traveling along Capital Mall Avenue, you'll come across several significant buildings in the city of Sacramento.

• Sacramento University: Located right by the Sacramento River, this complex of buildings is the campus of the prestigious Drexel University, currently the University of San Francisco / Sacramento.

• Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Hotel: It's a three-star hotel highly popular among tourists because of its proximity to Old Sacramento, featuring 242 rooms.

• 300 Capitol Mall: This 18-story building is situated at the gateway to the city's historic downtown at the intersection of 3rd Street and Capitol Mall. The tower, designed by DMJM in 1984, currently serves as the headquarters for various government agencies, including the California State Controller's Office and the California Department of Insurance.

• Sacramento Union newspaper Headquarters: É o local da antiga sede do jornal Sacramento Union, um jornal diário fundado em 1851 sendo o mais antigo a oeste do rio Mississípi. A construção das duas torres de 53 andares e 187 metros começou em 2006, mas o projeto ficou suspenso desde Janeiro de 2007 devido a problemas com o construtor.

• Sede da Wells Fargo: A sede da Wells Fargo, uma empresa mundialmente conhecida de prestação de serviços financeiros, é atualmente o edifício mais alto de Sacramento com 131 metros de altura e 33 andares. O edifício é bem imponente e ganhou o prémio BOMA Building of the Year em 1994.

• Bank of the West Tower: Trata-se de um arranha-céus de 25 andares com painéis em aço e vidro que se destaca no centro de Sacramento que foi inaugurado em Maio de 2009 e consiste num átrio térreo de 5 andares, num espaço de escritórios e num restaurante na cobertura de 2 andares.

9. Historic Lamp Post

Sacramento River Bike Trail, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

On the street parallel to the Sacramento River, right along its bank, you'll find several streetlight poles installed in 1998, creating an open-air museum for the enjoyment of city residents and tourists. These posts showcase the evolution of streetlights over the years, representing various styles from as early as 1910. Street lighting holds significant historical importance in the United States as it was introduced by Benjamin Franklin, with Philadelphia being the birthplace of this innovation. Due to the consistent and gradual changes in Sacramento's poles, the city decided to create a dedicated space to observe this evolution.

10. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge Gateway, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

It's a vertical lift bridge over the Sacramento River, constructed in 1935, connecting the west side to the east side of the city. Considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the region, it was designed by George Pollock, although a plaque on the bridge attributes construction to Consolidated Steel. The bridge is sometimes compared to the Golden Gate Bridge, albeit on a smaller scale, as both boast an Art Deco style and two steel towers. Originally, until 1963, the bridge was exclusively for trains, but it was later renovated to accommodate vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Despite being entirely made of steel, the bridge is painted in a golden hue to better blend into the area.

11. Delta King Hotel

1000 Front Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

Although it was only inaugurated in May 1989, the history of this 87-meter-long steamboat hotel dates back to 1927 and holds a significant place in Northern California's history. Like its 'sibling,' the Delta Queen, it facilitated passenger transportation between Sacramento and San Francisco from 1927 to 1940. During World War II, the vessel played a vital role by accommodating soldiers in Kitimat, Canada. Post-war, the boat was converted into a restaurant and is now permanently docked in Sacramento, operating as a hotel with 44 rooms and a restaurant.

12. Evangeline’s

113 K Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

Located in Old Sacramento's historic center since 1974, this family-owned store owned by Dorothea Evangeline occupies three floors filled with souvenirs (1st floor), themed costumes, and accessories (2nd and 3rd floors). Visitors can find various items such as tiaras, wigs, hats, mustaches, glasses, books, among many others. The building housing the store is the oldest standing structure in Sacramento, having survived a major fire in 1852 that destroyed much of the city's downtown area.

13. Sacramento Sweets Co

1035 Front Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

Buz and Carole Minow opened their candy store in Old Sacramento in 1977, making it the second oldest store in the area, established even before the California State Railroad Museum, also known as the Railroad Museum. Prior to that, in 1964, the couple had opened another candy store outside the city's historic center, near an old country club. Since then, they have been making most of the products they sell, from their ice creams to their popcorn, brittles, candied nuts, and chocolates.

14. Old City Kites

1021 Front Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

It's a store located in the heart of Old Town Sacramento that sells everything related to kite surfing and kites, opening its doors in 1993. They offer kites of various shapes, materials, sizes, and price ranges, boasting over 500 distinct models. Anwar Khan, the owner of Old City Kites, used to participate in kite competitions in his free time while professionally managing a restaurant with his wife, Ann. However, due to the restaurant's failure and his childhood passion, he decided to open this store to also have more time for his daughters.

15. Casa de Newton Booth

1000 2nd Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

This 1957 house was the residence of Newton Booth, the Governor of California from 1871 to 1873 and a U.S. Senator from 1873 to 1879. Newton Booth moved to California in 1850 and became a merchant, owning a grocery store located on the first floor of this building. He entered politics in 1863 and was elected governor several years later in 1871. Booth was an influential California governor overseeing the completion of the State Capitol (point 6 on the map), reducing public debt, and initiating a program to provide protection for Chinese residents in the state.

16. Tehama Block

101 J Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

The location of this building, at the northeast corner of Front and J streets in Old Sacramento, is a highly historic site. Pierson Barton Reading, a pioneer in gold exploration in the region and a candidate for California governor, purchased this plot from a friend in 1848. During that time, any address in this area was considered prime real estate due to its proximity to commercial activities along the docks, allowing property owners to charge rents of up to $3600 per month. Several buildings were constructed on this plot over the years, and this is a reconstruction of the second wooden structure that occupied this site from 1850 to 1851.

17. Old Sacramento State Historic Park

111 I Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

Old Sacramento Park is the cluster of notable commercial structures from the early California Gold Rush era and is a historic landmark. It was the location of the western terminus of the first transcontinental railroad and also the site of the transcontinental telegraph. With over 50 historic buildings, this area boasts more historically significant structures in its 1000 square meters than any other area of similar size in the American West. In the midst of this historic park is a garden, a flat green area where you can find a sign stating 'Old Town Sacramento.'

18. Big Four Building

101-105 I Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

These are a set of three buildings located close to each other and constructed between 1851 and 1852, near the riverbank. The three original structures included the Stanford Building, the Huntington & Hopkins Building, and the Miller Building, all of which played a significant role in the early railroad and the city's commercial heritage. The lower floors of these buildings were occupied by four merchants associated with the establishment of the first transcontinental railroad connecting California to the eastern United States. Known as 'The Big Four,' they were Collis Huntington, Mark Hopkins Jr., Leland Stanford, and Charles Crocker.

19. Estátua do Pony Express

2nd Street & J Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

This statue, designed and sculpted in bronze by Thomas Holland over two years, stands a little over fourteen and a half feet tall. It was created to commemorate the nearly 2,000-mile mail service from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, which involved traversing several mountains in 1860. The Pony Express was a historic mail service that carried correspondence by horseback, even across the wild territories of the United States. It operated from April 1860 until October 1861 when it was replaced by transcontinental telegraph lines.

20. Sacramento Visitor Center

1000 2nd Street, Sacramento - CA 95814 UNITED STATES

Although Sacramento may not be one of the most renowned cities in California, it boasts several tourist attractions that ensure visitors leave with fond memories. Located right next to Old Town Sacramento, the Sacramento Visitors Center has recently undergone a major renovation to enhance the way it delivers information to visitors, including new exhibits and interactive experiences. Due to the hour we'll be passing by this visitors' center, it will likely be closed, but it's still worth taking a quick look at the exterior facade.

Those attractions stand as the main highlights in Sacramento's historic downtown and are must-see stops on your travel itinerary. As I mentioned earlier, keep in mind that Sacramento doesn't have an abundance of attractions, so it won't take much time to get a good feel for the city.

Besides that, one less positive thing I noticed (similarly to San Francisco) but something I feel I have to mention is that the city feels completely deserted, many buildings closed with leasing signs, and streets completely empty, especially toward dusk/night. I didn't feel any sense of insecurity, but these issues I mentioned make the city, although quite beautiful with its attractions, somewhat 'strange.' I'd say this is a recent problem that started to become noticeable due to remote work by many companies, essentially triggered during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I think you'll notice it if you visit the city now. However, this doesn't mean I wouldn't still recommend visiting the city! I found Sacramento a charming city, especially Old Town with its various historic buildings and an incredible vibe! ❤️

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