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Sacramento Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Sacramento Travel & Tourism, Free Sacramento Travel Guide Online

Sacramento Travel Guide: Discount & Cheap Sacramento Travel & Tourism, Free Sacramento Travel Guide Online

Sacramento is not only the capital of the largest state in the Union, it is also a unique historical and cultural center. Sacramento's history rested on a few pioneers and Indians for until gold was found nearby in the 1840's. Within weeks, Sacramento and the entire area became the busiest and most bustling part of the entire nation as thousands came west to strike it rich in the great Gold Rush. Sacramento has done a great deal to preserve the relics of that time.

This city has a pioneer feel, particularly in some of the museums and in its capitol building. Of special note, the old Sutter's Mill and Fort have been preserved and rebuilt. It's a fascinating place to visit, full of history and excitement of the Gold Rush years. Other museums and attractions allow visitors to participate in the Gold Rush culture, panning for gold in the river or seeing how the early forty-niners lived.

Children's attractions abound in Sacramento, making it a wonderful destination for families. The Discovery Museum is a hands-on replica of Sacramento as it was in 1854. The state Indian Museum has a great deal to teach children about Sacramento's earliest residents. Of course, children love the old Gold Rush exhibits and the stories they have to tell.

Sacramento is the capital of a state with 33 million residents, but it has retained an independent air. From Indian land to Gold Rush to the present, Sacramento has seen a wealth of changes, yet it has remained a beautiful destination celebrated for its wonderful scenery and blooming flowers. Sacramento is often overlooked during visits to California, but surely it would be a mistake to miss visiting such a historic and friendly city.

Sacramento Attractions: Sacramento Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Sacramento Travel & Tourism, Free Sacramento Travel Guide Online

B.F. Hastings Building
916-440-4263
A reconstruction of the first chambers of the California Supreme Court occupies the second floor of this 1853 building. A Wells Fargo History Museum greets the public on the first floor.

California Military Museum
1119 2nd St.
916-442-2883
Three floors of this museum showcase more than 30,000 artifacts--uniforms, weapons, photographs, documents, medals, and flags of all kinds--that trace Californians' roles in military and militia activities throughout U.S. history.

California State Railroad
125 I St.
916-445-6645
This 100,000-square-ft museum is the largest rail museum in North America. It features 21 locomotives and railroad cars and 46 exhibits. Visitors can experience all aspects of the railroad throughout its history in this enormous museum.

Capitol
Capitol Mall and 10th St.
916-324-0333
Built in 1869, California's Capitol features a 120-ft-high rotunda of amazing beauty. The rooms are beautifully decorated, and the legislative chambers are in the style of the 1890's. The capitol park has impressive flower gardens and memorials.

Central Pacific Passenger Depot
930 Front St.
916-445-6645
At this reconstructed 1876 station there are plenty of exhibits and rides on a steam-powered train. The train makes a 40-minute loop along the Sacramento riverfront.

Crocker Art Museum
216 O St.
916-264-5423
The Crocker is the oldest art museum in the American West. Its extensive collections feature art from Europe, America and California.

Discovery Museum
101 I St.
916-264-7057
This children's museum is a replica of the 1854 City Hall and Waterworks. The many hands-on exhibits include sifting for gold, walking into an Indian thatched hut, and viewing the print shop of the old Sacramento newspaper.

Governor's Mansion
1526 H St.
916-323-3047
This 15-room Renaissance style house was built in 1877 and was used by Ronald Reagan when he chose a new home. The mansion is said to have been one of the first homes in California to have an indoor bathroom.

State Indian Museum
2601 K St.
916-324-0971
This museum focuses on the Indians of California and offers arts-and-crafts exhibits, as well as a demonstration village. A ten-minute video fully explores the history and life of California's Indian population.

Sutter's Fort
2701 L St.
916-445-4422
Sacramento's earliest settlement was founded in 1839; today, visitors can go on a self-guided tour of the fort. Demonstrations of food preparation and firearms maintenance complete this interesting look at pioneer California.

Towe Auto Museum
2200 Front St. (one block off Broadway)
916-442-6802
With over 100 cars, including a 1931 Chrysler, a 1960 Lotus, and a bullet-proof Cadillac limousine once used by the U.S. State Department, this museum will interest auto enthusiasts of all persuasions. A 1920s roadside caf� and garage exhibit complete the museum.

Columbia State Historic Park
14 mi south of Angels Camp, Hwy. 49 to Parrots Ferry Rd.
209-532-4301
Called the Gem of the Southern Mines, this park sits in the heart of gold-rush country. Visitors can ride a stagecoach, pan for gold, or watch a blacksmith working at his anvil.

Sacramento Events: Sacramento Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Sacramento Travel & Tourism, Free Sacramento Travel Guide Online

Events

February

Waterfront Crab Fest

Held in early February

Location: Waterfront Park on Front Street

916-442-8575

Crab fest is back in the tent at Waterfront Park on Front Street in Old Sacramento. Plenty of all you can eat fresh hot cooked crab, pasta, salad and anti-pasta, spirits, dancing and entertainment from 5:00 p.m. � 11:00 p.m.

March

Festival Italiano

Held in late March

Location: Dante Club

916-359-0618

A fun-filled evening of good food, wine and entertainment, including a delicious Italian dinner, door prizes and an Italian auction.

Women's History Day

Held in late March

Location: Old Sacramento

916-558-3912

Join the Old Sacramento Living History Program re-enactors as they demonstrate what life was like for women in the late 1800's as they struggled to make their mark. Witness sufferance rallies, protests and other scenes featuring the struggles that women faced.

April

Steam-powered Excursions

Held April � October

Location: California State Railroad Museum

916-445-6645

Regular steam-powered excursion trains depart Saturdays and Sundays on-the-hour 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from the Central Pacific Freight Depot and Public Market in Old Sacramento. Climb aboard the Museum's Sacramento Southern Railroad every weekend for a relaxing 40-minute, 6-mile roundtrip ride on the banks of the Sacramento River. Experience the sights, smells, and sounds of a real, working steam locomotive as it pulls vintage passenger coaches and converted freight cars along a former Southern Pacific Railroad branch line.

Sacramento Valley Scottish Games & Festival

Held in late April

Location: Yolo County Fair Grounds

916- 557-0764

Traditional Scottish Competitions that began more than a century ago. Three days of fun and games including sheepdog trails, tug-o-war, bagpipe bands, fiddling, harping and vendors peddling Scottish wares.

Annual Festival de la Familia

Held in late April

Location: Cal Expo

916-443-6223

An annual celebration of Latino culture featuring luscious food, live entertainment and lots of fun.

May

Annual Designer Showcase House

Held in early � mid May

Location: In Sacramento's Sierra Oaks neighborhood

916-437-1649
The Junior League of Sacramento presents its Annual Designer Showcase House.

Sacramento County Fair

Held in early May

Location: Cal Expo

916-263-2975

Exotic petting zoo, children's hands-on activities and thousands of exhibits.

Senior Games Sacramento Sports Classic

Held in mid May

Location: Varies throughout Sacramento

916-277-6046

Interested in participating in competitive sports? The California Senior Games Sacramento Sports Classic is an annual event that offers athletic competition for adults age 50 years and older. The games are a multi-sport event for men and women patterned after the "Olympics" and held at various locales throughout the Sacramento area. There are 20 various sporting events offered such as, archery, basketball, bowling, cycling, race walk, rowing, soccer, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Competitors from all over Northern California participate each year. The Senior Games offers something for everyone's skill level and interest.

The West Coast Brewer's Festival

Held in mid May

Location: Sacramento Miller Park

The West Coast Brewers Festival celebrates the significance of California, Washington and Oregon in the development of the Micro Brew industry.

Jazz Jubilee

Held in late May

Location: Varies in Sacramento

One of the world's largest traditional jazz festivals presents more than 125 bands from around the world and across the United States each year on Memorial Day weekend. In addition to the best traditional jazz, the festival includes several other jazz-related music styles such as big band, barbershop, blues, gospel, Latin jazz/salsa, swing, Western swing and zydeco.

June

Pony Express Re-Ride

Held in early June

Location: Old Sacramento

916-558-3912

Pony Express riders gallop west across the historic Pony Express Trail of 1860 - 1861 and end their 1,966 mile route in Old Sacramento at the Pony Express.

Juneteenth Celebration

Held in mid June

Location: Granite Regional Park

916- 808-7739

A Celebration of Freedom. Thousands gather at Granite Regional Park for a festive day of entertainment. Juneteenth begins with a Friday night Gospel concert, followed by Saturday in the park and The Black Rodeo on Sunday at Cal Expo.

July

Renaissance Faire

Held mid July � mid August

Location: Stafford Lake Park, Marin County

415-897-4555

The wildly authentic pleasures and colorful pageantry of a lusty Elizabethan country fair are brought to vivid life by the Heart of the Forest Renaissance Faire, bursting with high spirits and ancient seasonal traditions.

Sacramento French Film Festival

Held in mid July

Location: Crest Theatre

916-453-1723

Dedicated to celebrating the present as well as the history of French cinema by showing new French films as well as rarely seen French classics. Since its inception, the Festival has also involved the Sacramento art community by including short films from Sacramento filmmakers in its selection and original artwork by a Sacramento photographer in its posters.

Annual Strauss Festival of Elk Grove

Held in late July

Location: Elk Grove Park

916-714-2527

Features elegantly costumed dancers and professional symphony musicians. The setting is a grassy knoll at the edge of a lake surrounding a small island in Elk Grove Park.

Bridge to Bridge Waterfront Festival

Held in late July

Location: Waterfront

916-808-7777

The most fun on the river without a boat. Visitors enjoy a weekend in Old Sacramento of watercraft displays and activities featuring antique boats, personal water-craft races, high-performance power boat rallies, U.S. Coast Guard safety and rescue demonstrations, and much more.

Eppie's Great Race

Held in late July

Location: Held along the scenic American River Parkway in Sacramento, Rancho Cordova and Folsom.
916-875-6640

One of the world's oldest triathlons: Run - 5.82 miles. Bike - 12.5 miles. Paddle - 6.35 miles.

August

California State Fair

Held in late August � early September

Location: Cal Expo

916-263-3000

Big name entertainment, thrilling rides, exciting midway, irresistible food; oodles of events and fun for the whole family make The State Fair a popular event.

September

Gold Rush Days

Held in early September

Location: Sacramento

916-264-7777

The excitement of the California Gold Rush is brought to life during Sacramento's annual Gold Rush Days festival, held over the Labor Day Weekend.

Annual Greek Food Festival

Held in early September

Location: Sacramento Convention Center

916-443-2033

One of the most prominent heritage festivals in Sacramento, this celebration is devoted to the traditional foods, entertainment and displays of the Greek community.

Grape Escape

Held in mid September

Location: Crocker Park

916-808-7777

Sacramento's Annual Capital Regional Wine & Food Celebration takes place at Crocker Park.

October

Fall Harvest Festival

Held most of October

Location: Old Sacramento

916-558-3912

Old Sacramento brings the popular Halloween Festival back, "Fall Harvest Festival." This annual event promises Halloween-themed fun, train rides and family entertainment on weekends to usher in fall.

Festival of Cinema

Held in early October

Location: Crest Theatre

Created in 1995 to showcase the talents of local and international filmmakers, the Festival of Cinema is the community's premiere film arts showcase and a centerpiece for the arts in Northern California.

Sacramento International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

Held in early October

Location: Crest Theatre
916-319-2348

Sacramento Fall Home Show

Held in early October

Location: Cal Expo

The show is held at Cal Expo and is the place to find hundreds of home and garden products and ideas.

American River Salmon Festival

Held in early October

Location: Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Lake Natoma

916-358-2884

The Annual Festival takes place at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Lake Natoma. Watch them go back in the river and experience their dramatic return!

Annual "Magic of Kids" Family Festival

Held in early October

Location: Sacramento City College

916-576-3300

Features free activities, magicians, music, dance, theater performances, law enforcement and fire department displays and educational demonstrations.

November

California New Car Show

Held in mid November

Location: Cal Expo

916-263-3000

Car enthusiasts have plenty to celebrate when they get a look at the new and innovative cars at Cal Expo.

The 28th Annual Northern California Model Railroad Show

Held in mid November

Location: Placer County Fairgrounds

916-772-7502

The West's Premier Model Railroad Show!

Harvest Festival

Held in mid November

Location: Sacramento

800-321-1213

One of the largest arts and crafts show on the West Coast. Attendees can meet and buy directly from America's top artisans, enjoy entertainment and satisfy their taste buds with delicious festival cuisine.

America's Largest Christmas Bazaar

Held in late November

Location: Cal Expo

503-282-0974

Cal Expo has 300+ booths, filled to the brim with selections galore for Christmas gift giving.

December

Annual California International Marathon

Held in early December

Location: Sacramento

916-983-4622
A 26-mile, 385-yard point-to-point road race, a 4-person Marathon Relay Challenge, a 2.62-mile maraFUNrun/Fitness Walk and entertainment are included at this exciting event.

Heritage Holidays

Held early � late December

Location: Old Sacramento

916-558-3912

This annual event promises magical holiday cheer to all who visit Old Sacramento. For the two weeks leading up to Christmas, merchants have extended holiday hours. Stroll the beautifully decorated boardwalks and historic buildings featuring thousands of white lights.

New Year's Eve Fireworks Celebration

Held on New Year's Eve

Location: Old Sacramento

916-808-7777

The City of Sacramento celebrates the New Year on the waterfront in Old Sacramento. Along with two fireworks shows, the event features live music, food and drink vendors, a children's stage hosted by top entertainers and live performances from local acts.

Arts and Entertainment

Sacramento Ballet

1631 K Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

916-552-5800

Call for performance schedule

Don't miss the latest spectacular season.

Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra

3400 3rd Ave.

Sacramento, CA 95817
916-732-9045

Call for performance schedule

Sacramento Opera

3811 J St

Sacramento, CA 95816
916-737-1000

Call for performance schedule

Sacramento Opera has been a Guild, a Committee, an Association, another Guild and finally the Association of today.

Sacramento Theatre Company

1419 H Street

Sacramento, CA 95816

916-443-6722

Call for performance schedule

Enjoy Broadway in Sacramento.

Sports

Sacramento Kings

Professional Basketball

Games played at the Arco Arena
One Sports Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95834
916-928-0000

Season runs October - April

Sacramento Facts: Sacramento Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Sacramento Travel & Tourism, Free Sacramento Travel Guide Online

Population:

407,018

Elevation:

20 feet above sea level

Land Area: 97.2 square miles

Location:

Located 91miles northeast of San Francisco, California at the intersections of Interstate 5 from the north and south and Interstate 80 from the northeast and southwest

Time Zone:

Pacific Time Zone (when it's noon in Sacramento, it's 2pm in Chicago and 3pm in New York City). Sacramento observes Daylight Savings Time from April - October

Weather:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Averagetemp.(�F)

47.3

52.4

55.9

60.4

66.8

72.6

76.5

75.8

72.8

65.5

54.2

46.8

Hightemperature(�F)

54.5

61.4

65.9

72.7

80.9

88.2

93.2

92.0

88.1

78.7

64.0

54.5

Lowtemperature(�F)

40.1

43.4

45.7

48.0

52.6

57.0

59.7

59.5

57.5

52.2

44.4

39.1

Precipitation(in)

4.0

3.7

3.0

1.1

0.6

0.2

0.0

0.1

0.4

0.9

2.4

2.6

Climate:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Dayswithprecipitation

10

9

9

5

3

1

0

0

1

3

7

9

Windspeed(mph)

7.1

7.3

8.4

8.6

9.0

9.6

8.9

8.4

7.4

6.4

6.0

6.4

Morninghumidity(%)

91

89

86

83

82

78

77

78

77

79

87

88

Afternoonhumidity(%)

70

61

53

44

38

32

30

29

31

37

57

67

Sunshine(%)

48

65

74

82

90

94

97

96

93

86

66

49

Daysclearofclouds

7

8

10

12

17

22

27

26

24

19

10

8

Partlycloudydays

6

7

9

10

9

6

3

4

4

6

8

6

Cloudydays

19

13

12

8

5

2

1

1

2

6

12

17

Snowfall(in)

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Local Seasons:

As the Capitol of California, this city is bustling year-round; however, summers tend to be busier as tourists come to visit the wine country as well as other major cities within California. The weather in Sacramento is delightful all year. High temperatures in the summer can get into the 90's F mid-day; however they drop to the 50's F at night, allowing for a variety of activities to be experienced. Winters are just right for outdoor activities during the day and enjoying a fine meal by a warm fire at night. Spring and fall offer much of the same with relatively warm temperatures during the day and cooling off at night. No matter what the season or what the reason for your visit, this California Capital welcomes you.

How to Get There:

By Air

Sacramento County Airport

6900 Airport Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95837

916-929-5411

Sacramento International Airport is the gateway to Northern California destinations and major cities across the U.S, and the world. Service is available from many major carriers as well as certain local and regional airlines.

San Francisco International Airport is located approximately 2 hours (110 miles) southwest of Sacramento and is sometimes used by visitors.

By Car

Sacramento is easily accessible by car from the north and south via Interstate 5 and from the southeast and northwest via Interstate 80.

By Train

Amtrak

401 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

800-USA-RAIL

By Bus

Greyhound

715 L ST.
Sacramento, CA 95814

916-444-6858

How to Get Around:

By far the best way to get around is by either personal or rental car. The sites and attractions of the city as well as the nearby areas are fairly well spread-out, making a car a vital necessity.

National Holidays:

New Year's Day, January 1

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the third Monday in January

President' Day, the third Monday in February

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May

Independence Day, July 4

Labor Day, the first Monday in September

Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25

New Year's Eve, December 31

Sacramento Kids Activities: Sacramento Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Sacramento Travel & Tourism, Free Sacramento Travel Guide Online

California Military Museum
1119 2nd St.
916-442-2883
Three floors of this museum showcase more than 30,000 artifacts--uniforms, weapons, photographs, documents, medals, and flags of all kinds--that trace Californians' roles in military and militia activities throughout U.S. history.

California State Railroad
125 I St.
916-445-6645
This 100,000-square-ft museum is the largest rail museum in North America. It features 21 locomotives and railroad cars and 46 exhibits. Visitors can experience all aspects of the railroad throughout its history in this enormous museum.

Capitol
Capitol Mall and 10th St.
916-324-0333
Built in 1869, California's Capitol features a 120-ft-high rotunda of amazing beauty. The rooms are beautifully decorated, and the legislative chambers are in the style of the 1890's. The capitol park has impressive flower gardens and memorials.

Central Pacific Passenger Depot
930 Front St.
916-445-6645
At this reconstructed 1876 station there are plenty of exhibits and rides on a steam-powered train. The train makes a 40-minute loop along the Sacramento riverfront.

Crocker Art Museum
216 O St.
916-264-5423
The Crocker is the oldest art museum in the American West. Its extensive collections feature art from Europe, America and California.

Discovery Museum
101 I St.
916-264-7057
This children's museum is a replica of the 1854 City Hall and Waterworks. The many hands-on exhibits include sifting for gold, walking into an Indian thatched hut, and viewing the print shop of the old Sacramento newspaper.

Governor's Mansion
1526 H St.
916-323-3047
This 15-room Renaissance style house was built in 1877 and was used by Ronald Reagan when he chose a new home. The mansion is said to have been one of the first homes in California to have an indoor bathroom.

State Indian Museum
2601 K St.
916-324-0971
This museum focuses on the Indians of California and offers arts-and-crafts exhibits, as well as a demonstration village. A ten-minute video fully explores the history and life of California's Indian population.

Sutter's Fort
2701 L St.
916-445-4422
Sacramento's earliest settlement was founded in 1839; today, visitors can go on a self-guided tour of the fort. Demonstrations of food preparation and firearms maintenance complete this interesting look at pioneer California.

Towe Auto Museum
2200 Front St. (one block off Broadway)
916-442-6802
With over 100 cars, including a 1931 Chrysler, a 1960 Lotus, and a bullet-proof Cadillac limousine once used by the U.S. State Department, this museum will interest auto enthusiasts of all persuasions. A 1920s roadside caf� and garage exhibit complete the museum.

Columbia State Historic Park
14 mi south of Angels Camp, Hwy. 49 to Parrots Ferry Rd.
209-532-4301
Called the Gem of the Southern Mines, this park sits in the heart of gold-rush country. Visitors can ride a stagecoach, pan for gold, or watch a blacksmith working at his anvil.

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