Old Sacramento Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Old Sacramento featuring signage and heritage architecture
Old Sacramento which includes signage
Old Sacramento featuring heritage architecture
Old Sacramento showing a city and heritage architecture
Old Sacramento featuring heritage architecture and signage

Ride the old railway, admire the historic buildings and enjoy modern shopping and dining in this beautiful Gold Rush town.

Take a stroll around the streets of Old Sacramento to admire artfully restored 19th-century buildings, visit historical attractions and learn about this area’s past as a thriving gold rush city. In the evening, head out and enjoy entertainment of a more modern variety in the lively town centre.

Old Sacramento is a 28-acre (11-hectare) National Historic Landmark, packed with over 50 historical buildings. The area became populated around the time of the 1849 California Gold Rush, and a thriving town has existed here ever since. Today, the area combines several world-renowned historical attractions and museums with a modern town centre.

Learn about the area’s history by visiting a couple of the excellent museums. At the Sacramento History Museum you can see diverse exhibits, including real gold found in the area and replicas of houses belonging to the early miners. Make sure you take one of the underground tours. After the floods of 1862, the whole town was raised to combat further damage and a fascinating network of tunnels and old relics were left below.

Stop in at the California State Railroad Museum to learn about the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. Take a ride on the old train and tour one of the restored coaches.

Walk around the town and you will see numerous other historical buildings. Among the highlights is the Eagle Theatre, which dates back to 1849 and still holds performances today. Also of note are the Big Four building and the B. F. Hastings building, which was once the home of the California Supreme Court.

Enjoy shopping in the area’s boutique stores or end your day with a drink and some dinner in one of the many restaurants and bars.

Old Sacramento is located in downtown Sacramento. It is a short walk from the central train station or an easy drive from most city locations. Be aware that many of the attractions charge a small entry fee and may have different opening times throughout the year.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Old Sacramento Hotel Deals

Delta King Hotel

Delta King Hotel

3 out of 5
1000 Front St, Sacramento, CA
The price is AU$240 per night from 30 Oct to 31 Oct
AU$240
30 Oct - 31 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Really pretty and historical"

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Delta King Hotel
Heritage Inn Express Roseville

Heritage Inn Express Roseville

2 out of 5
204 Harding Blvd, Roseville, CA
The price is AU$129 per night from 22 Oct to 23 Oct
AU$129
22 Oct - 23 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Roseville. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7/10 Good! (1,539 reviews)
"Very affordable"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Heritage Inn Express Roseville
Hyatt Regency Sacramento

Hyatt Regency Sacramento

4 out of 5
1209 L St, Sacramento, CA
The price is AU$305 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$305
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,007 reviews)
"Very nice hotel"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Hyatt Regency Sacramento
Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown-Arena by IHG

Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown-Arena by IHG

3 out of 5
300 J St, Sacramento, CA
The price is AU$221 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
AU$221
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,449 reviews)
"Very close to DOCO area and Golden 1 Center making many restaurants and bars an easy walk. Nice, large room. Excellent breakfast."

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown-Arena by IHG
Vagabond Inn Executive Old Town

Vagabond Inn Executive Old Town

2.5 out of 5
909 3rd St, Sacramento, CA
Stay at this hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Golden 1 Center and Discovery Park are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,031 reviews)
"The hotel is a poor choice if hoping for a good night's sleep. I was woken up several times throughout the night by loud vehicles and motorcycles. Otherwise, nice hotel."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Vagabond Inn Executive Old Town
Governors Inn Hotel

Governors Inn Hotel

3 out of 5
210 Richards Blvd, Sacramento, CA
The price is AU$187 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$187
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,890 reviews)
"Offer more protein choices in breakfast"

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

Governors Inn Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Sacramento

Greater Sacremento

Downtown Sacramento

3.5/5(7 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Sacramento. Top attractions like Golden 1 Center and K Street Mall are major draws, and you can catch the metro at 8th & H/County Center Station or 7th & I/County Center Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Sacramento
Sacramento featuring heritage architecture and an administrative building

Central Sacramento

If you're spending time in Central Sacramento, check out sights like Golden 1 Center or Sutter's Fort State Historic Park and hop on the metro to see more of the city at 29th Street Station or 39th Street Station.

Central Sacramento
Default Image

Boulevard Park

When in Boulevard Park, you can plan a visit to Golden 1 Center and Memorial Auditorium, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Boulevard Park
Fort Sutter State Historical Park showing interior views

Midtown Sacramento

Discover Midtown Sacramento, memorable for its restaurants. Popular attractions in Midtown Sacramento include Sutter's Fort State Historic Park and State Indian Museum, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at 23rd Street Station.

Midtown Sacramento
Sacramento Zoo which includes zoo animals

Land Park

If you're spending time in Land Park, check out sights like Fairytale Town or Sacramento Zoo and hop on the metro to see more of the city at 4th Ave-Wayne Hultgren Station or Broadway Station.

Land Park
Default Image

Curtis Park

While Curtis Park may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like California Highway Patrol Headquarters and Fairytale Town.

Curtis Park


Old Sacramento Travel Guide

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