Sacramento lies about 93mi/150km northeast of San Francisco on the U.S. 80, and has been the capital of the federal state of California since 1854. John A. Sutter founded the town in 1839, and named it after the nearby river. The old fortification known as Sutter's Fort has been restored and is now a tourist attraction.
In the early fifties the town suffered from several floods as well as frequent fires. The old town (Old Sacramento), cheek by jowl with the Sacramento River, with plenty of shops and restaurants, was restored around 1980. In 1856 the first Californian railway was opened between Sacramento and Folsom, and was later connected to the Transcontinental Railway line running between the east and west coasts.
Sutter's Fort State Historic Park is where Johann August Sutter set up an outpost, the first of its kind in California. On site is an adobe house with historical displays.
The Big Four Building in Sacramento is named after the four most influential men in the Californian railway industry. They all lived in the city before moving to the larger and more important San Francisco: they were Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins, Collis B. Huntington and Leland Stanford.
The California Military Museum honors Californians who fought in the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars as well as the more recent Desert Storm.
Address: California Military Museum, 1119 Second Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-3203, United States
Phone: 1 (916) 854-1900, Fax: 1 (916) 854-1906
Hours:
10am-4pm; Fri:10am-5pm; Sat:10am-5pm; Closed: Mon
Always opened on: Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May ), American Independance Day (July 4), Veteran's Day - USA (November 11)
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian
Tips: Free admission on Memorial and Veterans Day.
Fairytale Town is a nonprofit family park offering over two acres of enchantment and fun. The park seeks to promote the imagination, creativity and education of children through gentle and creative play. On site are farm animals and interactive learning gardens nestled among over twenty three-dimensional play sets based on favorite fairytales and nursery rhymes. The events calendar includes multicultural programs, live theater, literacy and creative learning experiences to families in a safe and colorful environment.
Address: Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822-1270, United States
Phone: 1 (916) 808-5233, Fax: 1 (916) 808-5356
Hours:
March 1 to October 31: 9am-4pm
November 1 to February 28: 10am-4pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Funderland is an amusement park targeted at youngsters and early elementary school children. The park is free to enter but everything inside costs extra. Rides and activities are simple, largely non-scary events that are great for young children but likely boring for older children. There is a snack bar on site and the park hosts birthday parties. Occasionally there are special events taking place at Funderland.
Hours:
11am-5pm; Sun:10am-6pm; Sat:10am-6pm
Tips: Each ride requires 1 ticket per person ($1.50 Monday - Friday & $1.75 weekends and holidays). An unlimited ride wristband ($13.50) is sold until 4pm and good until 5pm on the day it is sold.
The Hastings Building in Sacramento, dating from 1853, was originally a bank; today it is a museum where you will find a reproduction of California's first Supreme Court, as well as the Pony Express Museum and the Wells Fargo Museum.
Regional Transit in Sacramento operates a 20 mile light rail system that is connected to the bus network. The rail system opened in 1987 and uses 36 vehicles with service every 15 minutes during the day and 30 minutes in the evening. Trains run from 4:30 a.m. till 1 a.m.
The Spirit of Sacramento is a 110-foot paddle wheel riverboat that conducts 1-hour sightseeing cruises on the Sacramento River. Meals and a murder mystery excursion are available.
Address: Spirit of Sacramento, 110 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-3233, United States
Phone: 1 (916) 552-2933, Fax: 1 (916) 552-5900
Tips: Phone for cruise times. Reservations recommended. All Cruises Depart From Old Sacramento.
The State Library in Sacramento is a granite building with a 100-foot mural by Maynard Dixon. A second building at 900N Street houses the state history section.
Waterworld USA in Sacramento has over 30 water rides. It can be rented for group functions. Waterworld USA is home to the Tornado, a six-story funnel of swirling water that drops riders 75 feet.
The Wells Fargo History Museum in Sacramento features an original Concord Coach, panoramic paintings, original maps and views of Sacramento; an Agent's office, a Wooten patent desk, and a postal history collection from Livingston Sacramento.
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California State Railroad Museum
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State Capitol, Sacramento
Folsom, Sacramento
Stockton, Sacramento
Old Sacramento and Old Sacramento State Historic Park, Sacramento
Willows - Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Sacramento
State Capitol, Sacramento
State Capitol, Sacramento
