Greater Sacramento

Travel Guide

Greater Sacramento featuring skyline
Vikingsholm Castle
Sacramento featuring street scenes
Inspiration Point Vista
Vikingsholm Castle
California’s capital and its surroundings have attractions for all interests, from cultural destinations, to clear lakes, to a history riddled with gold.

Greater Sacramento is a Northern California travel hub. The region gets more than 230 days of sunshine annually. Take advantage of this famously favorable weather and explore the cultural offerings and natural wonders in the heart of gold country. Enjoy crisp zinfandel wines in Lodi.

Discover the hive of activity in SacramentoOpens in a new window, California’s capital city. Tour the State CapitolOpens in a new window, which resembles the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Learn about California’s history and famous residents at the California Museum. In Old SacramentoOpens in a new window, travel back to 1849, when people raced to Gold Country to find their fortunes. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage along the Sacramento River or ride behind the Sacramento Southern Railroad’s steam locomotive.

About 115 miles (185 kilometers) east of Sacramento, reach Lake TahoeOpens in a new window. The topaz-blue lake surrounded by soaring mountains is an unforgettable sight. Visit in winter to ski or snowboard, or in summer to swim, boat or hike. Enjoy Kings Beach State Recreation AreaOpens in a new window’s sandy shoreline. Discover what lakeside life in 1909 was like at the impeccably preserved Watson Cabin Living Museum and learn about the 1846 winter tragedies for snowbound pioneers at Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center. Enjoy powdery snow at Squaw Valley Alpine MeadowsOpens in a new window or HeavenlyOpens in a new window, two of the lake’s major ski resorts.

See where California’s gold mining history began at Marshall Gold Discovery. In Coloma, a sawmill worker caught a glimpse of gold in the American River’s silt, jumpstarting the 1849 Gold Rush. Tour the Gold Discovery Museum and try panning for gold.

Greater Sacramento is filled with outdoor recreation opportunities. For a low-key lake experience, visit Lake Natoma on the American River between Folsom Dam and Nimbus Dam. This is a perfect place to go kayaking, swimming or rowing. Enjoy California sunshine at Castle Oaks Golf Club. The 18-hole course is consistently ranked among Northern California’s finest.

Between hiking trails, vineyards, museum exhibits and more, Greater Sacramento has widely diverse activities. Find your favorite pastime here or try something new.

Where to stay in Greater Sacramento

Greater Sacremento

Downtown Sacramento

3.5/5(8 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 an administrative building and heritage architecture

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
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North Natomas

If you're spending some time in North Natomas, Sleep Train Arena and Park Place Shopping Center are top sights worth seeing.

North Natomas
Fort Sutter State Historical Park which includes interior views

Midtown Sacramento

4/5(1 area review)

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
Old Sacramento which includes heritage architecture and signage

Old Sacramento

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

The ample dining options and beautiful river views are top of the list for many visitors to Old Sacramento. A stop by Old Sacramento Waterfront or Sacramento History Museum might round out your trip.

Old Sacramento
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Southeastern Sacramento

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

While you're in Southeastern Sacramento, take in top sights like California Highway Patrol Headquarters or American River, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Power Inn Station or 48th Street Station.

Southeastern Sacramento
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Sacramento Downtown
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Sacramento Downtown
2.5 out of 5
200 Jibboom St, Sacramento, CA
The price is S$117 per night from 20 Mar to 21 Mar
S$117
includes taxes & fees
20 Mar - 21 Mar
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sacramento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
6/10 (1,483 reviews)
"The cleanliness. All amenties were out of reach or everything was inconvinient to access. The showers were filthy with hair and cords hanging everywhere. Which were dangerous"

Reviewed on 9 Mar,2025

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Sacramento Downtown
Governors Inn Hotel
Governors Inn Hotel
3 out of 5
210 Richards Blvd, Sacramento, CA
The price is S$140 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
S$140
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
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! (1,568 reviews)
"Experience was great! Super nice staff and clean room. Area could be better but that’s expected in downtown. Overall amazing!"

Reviewed on 10 Mar,2025

Governors Inn Hotel
Delta King Hotel
Delta King Hotel
3 out of 5
1000 Front St, Sacramento, CA
The price is S$208 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
S$208
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
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! (1,002 reviews)
"Great spot"

Reviewed on 10 Mar,2025

Delta King 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.
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
3.5 out of 5
1091 Pinehurst Ln, Palm Desert, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 7 outdoor pools, and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,873 reviews)
"It was really nice property and room was very nice. We had a king bed with a sofa bed pull out. The bed was comfortable, we had towels, shampoo/conditioner etc.... Here are some things missing from the rooms 1. No bottled water (usually you get two bottles free) 2. No Safe in room (usually you get ..."

Reviewed on 3 Mar,2025

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
Hyatt Vacation Club at Desert Oasis
Hyatt Vacation Club at Desert Oasis
3.5 out of 5
34567 Cathedral Canyon Drive, Cathedral City, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star golf condo in Cathedral City. Enjoy free parking, 2 outdoor pools, and a golf course. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,337 reviews)
"It's a great place to stay. Our room had a kitchen, washer and dryer, and a separate bedroom. Pretty grounds and pool and very friendly and helpful staff"

Reviewed on 9 Mar,2025

Hyatt Vacation Club at Desert Oasis
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
4 out of 5
3075 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA
Stay at this 4-star beach condo in Carlsbad. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,328 reviews)
"Great, well kept older facility. Wonderful people, great hot tub, fun activities (if you’re into that) and fantastic location."

Reviewed on 9 Mar,2025

Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
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.

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