Sacramento Travel Guide

Awards & recognition

America's Best City

Resonance Consultancy · 2026

About this city

Also known as: City of Trees, Sac-Town

Sacramento is the historic capital city of California and the seat of Sacramento County, positioned at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in the expansive Central Valley. Rising to prominence during the 1849 California Gold Rush, it served as a major commercial center, Pony Express terminus, and crucial hub for the First Transcontinental Railroad. Today, Sacramento is celebrated as America's 'Farm-to-Fork Capital,' blending grand government infrastructure and historic Old West landmarks with an agricultural culinary revolution.

Location & Administrative

County

Sacramento County

Time Zone

PST

State Code

Transportation & Accessibility

Nearest Airports

SMF

Rail Systems

Amtrak (Intercity Rail)

Train Stations

Sacramento Valley Station

Getting Around

Rideshare-FriendlyLight Rail / StreetcarBusWalkableBike-Friendly

Weather & Timing

Best Months

MarAprMaySepOctNov

Average Temperature

Summer 59–93°F, Winter 40–55°F

Peak Season

SpringAutumn

Off Season

Extreme Heat Season

Economics & Local Vibe

Population

City proper 524.9K · Metro area 2.4M

Sales Tax

8.75%

Key Industries

Government and Public AdministrationAgribusiness and Food TechHealthcare and Life Sciences

Practical Tourism Metadata

Suggested stay: 2 days

Tour the majestic California State Capitol Museum, step back into the Gold Rush era at Old Sacramento Waterfront, explore world-class locomotive exhibits at the California State Railroad Museum, and sample regional wines at the Old Sugar Mill.

Sacramento

Awards & recognition

About this city

Location & Administrative

Transportation & Accessibility

Weather & Timing

Economics & Local Vibe

Practical Tourism Metadata

Must-See

California State Railroad Museum

Crocker Art Museum

California State Capitol Museum

Old Sacramento Waterfront

Museums & Culture

Museums11

California State Railroad Museum

Crocker Art Museum

The Red Museum

Aerospace Museum of California

California Automobile Museum

California State Capitol Museum

Sacramento State Planetarium

Sacramento History Museum

State Indian Museum State Historic Park

California Museum

SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC)

Art Galleries2

Panoply Fine Art

Twisted Track Gallery

Cultural Sites3

East Village Bookshop

Wild Sisters Book Company

Ella K. McClatchy Library

History & Heritage

Historic Sites3

Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park

Governor's Mansion State Historic Park

Historic Neighborhoods1

Old Sacramento Waterfront

Cemeteries & Memorials1

Sacramento Historic City Cemetery

Religion & Education

Religious Sites1

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

Universities & Campuses1

California State University, Sacramento (Sac State)

Architecture & Landmarks

Landmarks2

SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

The Urban Hive

Bridges1

Tower Bridge

City Squares1

César Chávez Plaza

Parks & Nature

Parks & Gardens4

California State Capitol Park

McKinley Park

William Land Regional Park

Sand Cove Park

Botanical Gardens3

World Peace Rose Garden

Natomas Rose Garden

Jensen Botanical Garden

Farms & Ranches1

Saddle Up Sactown at Craigmont Equestrian Center

Natural Landscapes

Caves & Canyons2

Black Chasm Cavern National Natural Landmark

California Cavern State Historic Landmark

Beaches & Coast2

Sutter's Landing Beach

Paradise Beach

Wildlife

Sacramento Zoo

Entertainment

Theme Parks2

Fairytale Town

Funderland Amusement Park