Things to do in Sacramento
Spring and fall bring warm, dry, comfortable days ideal for the riverfront and parks. Summers are hot and dry with temperatures often above 95F; the farm-to-fork harvest season peaks in September.
Best months: April, May, September, October
What is worth your time in Sacramento
California State Railroad MuseumDo not miss
One of the finest railroad museums in the world, with gleaming restored locomotives and the story of the transcontinental railroad.
Museum · 2 hr4.8
Crocker Art MuseumDo not miss
The oldest art museum in the West, pairing an ornate 1870s Victorian gallery with a sleek modern wing.
Museum · 2 hr4.8
California State Capitol and MuseumDo not miss
Tour the working seat of California government beneath a gleaming neoclassical dome, with restored historic chambers and a museum.
Landmark · 1.5 hr4.7
Old Sacramento WaterfrontDo not miss
Walk wooden boardwalks past Gold Rush-era brick buildings, riverboats, and saloons in a preserved 1850s waterfront town.
Historic Site · 2.3 hr4.6
Tower BridgeDo not miss
Sacramento's golden vertical-lift bridge over the river is the city's signature photo, glowing at sunset.
Landmark · 33 min4.6
Sutter's Fort State Historic ParkDo not miss
Step inside the adobe-walled 1839 fort at the heart of Sacramento's founding and the Gold Rush story.
Historic Site · 1.5 hr4.5
Powerhouse Science CenterDo not miss
A riverfront hands-on science center with a planetarium, housed in a converted 1912 power station.
Museum · 2 hr4.4
Sacramento ZooDo not miss
A compact, leafy zoo in Land Park with big cats, giraffes, and red pandas, a reliable family favorite.
Activity · 2.3 hr4.4
American River ParkwayDo not miss
A 32-mile ribbon of riverside trails, beaches, and rafting put-ins threading green through the heart of the metro.
Nature · 2.3 hr
Midtown SacramentoDo not miss
Sacramento's hippest grid of farm-to-fork restaurants, craft cocktail bars, murals, and tree-lined Victorian streets.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr
B Street Theatre at The Sofia
A polished midtown performing-arts center staging contemporary plays in an intimate setting.
Cultural Experience · 2 hr4.8
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
An 1889 Italian Renaissance cathedral, one of the largest west of the Mississippi, with a soaring frescoed interior.
Architecture · 33 min4.8
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
A riparian preserve on the American River where wild turkeys and deer roam oak woodland trails.
Nature · 1.5 hr4.8
Second Saturday Art Walk
Midtown galleries, shops, and streets come alive with art, music, and food on the second Saturday each month.
Cultural Experience · 2.3 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Summer afternoons are very hot; plan outdoor stops like the American River Parkway for the morning and museums for midday.
- Sacramento is the farm-to-fork capital; seek out seasonal produce, farmers markets, and the September Farm-to-Fork Festival.
- Old Sacramento and the Capitol are walkable; light rail and bike-share connect downtown, midtown, and the riverfront.
- The Delta breeze cools evenings in summer, making patios and the riverfront pleasant after sunset.
- Many state historic sites and smaller museums close Mondays and Tuesdays, so check days before visiting.