Sacramento Travel Guide, California

Situated 90 miles East of San Francisco and 383 miles North of Los Angeles, in the flatlands of the Central Valley, Sacramento is the capital of California, a state with 33 million residents. It was founded in 1849, and is the oldest incorporated city in California.

Surely it would be a mistake to miss visiting Sacramento, such a fascinating, historic and friendly city, full of history and excitement of the Gold Rush years. 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 get rich in the great Gold Rush. We can still see the influence this period had on the town. It made the city grew from a tiny settlement into the capital of California, yet it has remained a beautiful destination celebrated for its wonderful scenery and blooming flowers.

Sacramento is a city of contrast, beautifully blending the old and new with sleek steel and glass towers, flashy office buildings and hotel complexes, but also with tree-shaded streets lined with elegant and impressive Victorian homes.

Sacramento offers spectacular, sweeping views of the river meandering down to the Delta (locals fondly refer to their town as "River City") and of large parks replete with flower gardens, memorial statuary, and curious squirrels. The city of Sacramento has more than 120 parks. The most popular is William Land Park, site of the Sacramento Zoo. Visitors are invited to enjoy these views and combine them with some of the tourist activities: spending the day walking through Old Sacramento, floating down the American River, or cycling the shady paths along the Sacramento and American rivers, jogging, fishing and rafting.

Sacramento's most visible attractions are the capitol building and the museums that allow visitors to participate in the Gold Rush culture, panning for gold in the river or seeing how the early forty-niners lived. But if you’re more like a sports person check out ARCO Arena which is home of the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association and the Sacramento Monarchs of the Women's National Basketball Association.

Sacramento is also a wonderful destination for families as it’s abundant in children’s attractions. There is The Discovery Museum that has is a replica of Sacramento as it was in 1854, then there’s The State Indian Museum that has a great deal to teach children about Sacramento's earliest residents. Your children will not get bored of the old Gold Rush exhibits and the stories they have to tell.

For the ones that have passed their childhood, downtown offers a bountiful array of attractions and activities. There is a world-class comedy club, a live theatre, elegant restaurants, candy stores, costume shops, pubs and bookstores, but the focal point of is the Downtown Plaza, an open-air mall that features a movie theater department stores, specialty clothing stores and entertain shoppers with strolling musicians, jugglers, acrobats and mimes.

The culinary spectrum here is vast; it serves up local cuisine as well as traditional dishes from across the globe. Besides first class food, restaurants offer sweeping views of the river.

From children to the adventure seeker and those who want to take in all the major museums and attractions, this city has something for everyone.

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• California Automobile Museum
  travel tip by zsoldicsa posted more then 30 days ago
  For a few hours of real, vintage museum exploration, the California Automobile Museum can be the perfect spot. Though a bit hidden, it worth the seek, because this small gem of old, classic cars is so different from the usual vehicle...
• The Kitchen
  travel tip by marius_f posted more then 30 days ago
  Sacramento's finest restaurant which leaves with a longing to return, The Kitchen conquered not only the locals but its visiting customers too. Their dishes are exquisite and delightful, though sometimes I would have had more. With...
• Crocker Art Museum
  travel tip by kachou_n posted more then 30 days ago
  For those who art lovers or are fascinated by beautiful architecture, the Crocker Art Museum can provide both. Newly renovated, the museum has already welcomed lots of visitors and with pride. The place is marvelous. A wide variety of...

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