Sacramento

Sacramento is the state capital of California, and was founded in the mid 19th century during the gold rush era. The city is known for its museums that trace its history back to the gold rush period, and also for being home to one of the United States’ busiest harbours.

Attractions

The California State Capitol Museum is home to California’s governing institutions, and also offers guided tours explaining the history of the building and the work that the state government does. It was built in 1874 in a Roman Corinthian style, and is noted for its large glass dome.

The district of Old Sacramento is home to a large concentration of historic buildings, with many gold rush era buildings, and is designated as a National Landmark. It is home to the California State Railroad Museum, which is the premier railroad museum in the United States, and features 21 restored locomotives and rail cars. Also in Old Sacramento, the Discovery Museum is worth a visit for its science exhibits and its collection of artefacts from the gold rush period.

The Crocker Art Museum is the West coast’s oldest public art museum that is still in use, and features a variety of collections, from the 15th century through to contemporary pieces. The Wells Fargo History Museum details the history of one of the largest banks in the country, and has a number of exhibits relating to the gold rush era, when the bank was established. Also worth visiting is the California State Indian Museum which houses exhibits and artefacts that detail the rich history and culture of California’s indigenous population. Next to the museum is Sutter’s Fort, the oldest European outpost in California, which was established by John Sutter, a Swiss immigrant, in 1839 and would later develop into the city of Sacramento.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament was built in 1889 and is worth visiting for its architectural design, based on 19th century Paris, and its Austrian stained glass. The Governor’s Mansion contains personal items belonging to former Californian governors, and the last governor to live there was Ronald Reagan, before he became president.

For music enthusiasts, each May during Memorial Day Weekend, the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee comes to town, and features some of the world’s best jazz artists.

Shopping

Westfield Downtown Plaza and Arden Fair are 2 large shopping centres that offer a wide selection of brand-name items. Sacramento Sweets is the city’s finest candy store, and is famous for its nut brittle. Old Sacramento has a number of boutique shops that sell artwork, souvenirs, and jewellery, amongst other goods.

Nightlife and Eating Out

Sacramento offers a huge variety of cuisine to visitors, both American as well as international. For Californian food, The Firehouse is one of the city’s most famous restaurants, located in a former fire station in Old Sacramento, and dates back to 1853. Another restaurant serving Californian dishes that is also worth a try is Café Bernardo.

For international cuisine, some of Sacramento’s better-known restaurants include Frank Fat’s, the oldest family-run restaurant in Sacramento, for Chinese food, Biba for Italian cuisine, Ernesto’s Mexican Food, which has been voted Sacramento’s best Mexican restaurant, and Thai Basil for Thai cuisine.

Two of the most popular brewpubs in Sacramento are the Sacramento Brewing Company and Brew It Up!, which offer freshly made beers in a friendly atmosphere. Some of the better-known nightclubs include Harlows, Faces, and 815 L Street.

Tourist Information

Sacramento Convention and Visitor’s Bureau1608 I StreetSacramento95814

Telephone: +1 916 808 7777Website: www.sacramentocvb.org

Airport

Sacramento Airport is mostly served by domestic carriers, though there are a few international flights into and out of the airport. Visitors can opt to fly into San Francisco, and then take a bus or train to Sacramento, the journey taking approximately 2 hours.