Hidden California: Discover Sacramento Between History, Art, and Capitol Power
Sacramento is a city of 407,000 inhabitants located in the north-central part of California, in the center of the homonymous Sacramento County, of which it is the county seat. Since 1854, the center has also hosted the California State Capitol, as the state capital.
Geographically, it stands at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers, a feature that has allowed it to equip itself with a large and very efficient river port, connected by a canal to the Suisun Bay.
From an economic point of view, Sacramento is the railway, manufacturing and commercial hub of the Sacramento Valley, the center where fruit, rice, flour and dairy products are produced and sorted, for a food industry among the most productive in the state.
History
For thousands of years, this area was inhabited by the Indian tribes of Miwok, Maidu and Shonommey, although today there are not many remains of their existence.
The first settler to enter these territories was the Spaniard Gabriel Moraga, who between 1806 and 1808 discovered and named the Sacramento Valley and the river.
In 1839, the pioneer John Sutter settled there, who with dozens of other fellow countrymen founded the colony of Sutter’s Fort, also called New Helvetia. Starting in 1848, the year of the discovery of the first gold vein in the area, what was nothing more than a small village recorded a real demographic boom, in addition to the change of name to Sacramento, taken from the river that crossed it.
The task of accommodating such a significant increase in population was entrusted to the topographic engineer William H. Warner, who drew up an urban plan for the expansion of the town. In 1850, despite the floods, cholera epidemics and fires that plagued it, Sacramento already had 10,000 inhabitants, so much so that only 15 years after its birth, in 1854, it became the capital of California.
The river, which for many years was nothing but a bearer of death and destruction, definitively launched the city into the American commercial elite, starting a social, economic and cultural development that has never stopped over the years and is still alive today.
Old Sacramento and Major Attractions
The most characteristic area to visit is undoubtedly Old Sacramento, the “Old Sacramento“, an area of six blocks between the river and the modern city. The old district has many historic buildings, in a district dotted with shops, restaurants and museums.
The destinations not to be missed are:
- the Old Schoolhouse, a one-room building typical of the late 19th-century California school;
- the Delta King Riverboat, a hotel housed in one of the last paddle steamers in the Sacramento Delta, now idle and anchored to the shore for years;
- the Discovery Museum, a display of 19th-century relics located in the city’s former municipal offices;
- the California State Railroad Museum, which boasts a large collection of impeccably restored locomotives and cars;
- the Eagle Theatre, a faithful reconstruction of the theater erected in 1849 and swept away by a flood a year later;
- the Pony Express Monument, a monument celebrating the 1,950-mile mail route from Sacramento to St. Joseph, Missouri;
- the B.F. Hastings Building, which hides the restored chambers of the Supreme Court;
- the Theodore Judah Monument, a sculpture commemorating the engineer who designed the transcontinental railroad.
California State Capitol and Other Museums
After reviewing the most interesting sites in the historic center of Sacramento, the California State Capitol is an absolute must-see. The latter, which stands in the center of an immense park, is a milestone of this type of architecture, one of the most beautiful buildings in the state.
The project dates back to 1860 by the architect Miner F. Butler, who designed a building in Renaissance Revival style, with Corinthian porticoes and a slender central dome. The construction was completed in 1874, after almost 15 years of work and a total expenditure of 2.5 million dollars.
Less known but also of great appeal are:
- the Crocker Art Museum, established in 1873 and the oldest art museum west of the Mississippi,
- Sutter’s Fort, located on the outskirts but rich in historical significance,
- the California State Indian Museum, a small but captivating museum dedicated to the indigenous-American cultures that existed before European colonization.
Climate
The climate is Mediterranean, with mild, lightly rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The average annual temperature is 16°C, the result of an average 8°C in winter (December to mid-February) and 24°C in July and August.
The record extremes are -9°C in 1932 and 45°C in 1925, values that are rarely repeated. It is not uncommon, however, to drop below zero in January or to exceed 32–33°C in July.
A very pleasant feature of Sacramento’s climate is the low relative humidity, which makes even the hottest days more bearable.
Precipitation is scarce, peaking in January with around 100 mm (occasionally snow), and dropping to almost nothing in summer. The average annual rainfall is about 500 mm.
Transport and Accessibility
The city’s airport is Sacramento International Airport, a very busy hub with excellent connections to Canada and Mexico.
Regional rail travel is centered around Sacramento Valley Rail Station, located on the corner of 5th and 1st Street, near the historic center and operated by Amtrak. This is also one of the stops on the RT light rail system that runs around the city.
The interstate highways that converge in the city are I-5 and I-80, and getting around by car is convenient and practical, especially thanks to the national and provincial arteries that serve the area.
Where to Stay
Sacramento offers a wide range of accommodations for every budget, from luxury historic hotels to modern boutique stays and family-friendly options. In the heart of Old Sacramento, the Delta King Hotel (1000 Front St) is a standout choice: a historic paddlewheel riverboat turned into a charming hotel, offering river views and classic décor—perfect for soaking in the city’s Gold Rush atmosphere. For travelers seeking a more contemporary experience, the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel (500 J St), located next to the Golden 1 Center, features a rooftop pool, chic rooms, and a vibrant social scene. The Hyatt Regency Sacramento (1209 L St), just across from the Capitol, is a reliable upscale option with an excellent location and amenities. Budget-conscious travelers might consider the Governors Inn Hotel (210 Richards Blvd), offering clean, comfortable rooms and easy access to both downtown and the interstate. For longer stays or families, Residence Inn by Marriott (1121 15th St) provides spacious suites with kitchenettes in the Midtown area, close to great restaurants and parks.
Where to Eat
Sacramento’s culinary scene reflects its agricultural roots—known as the “Farm-to-Fork Capital” of America, the city boasts fresh, seasonal ingredients and a commitment to local sourcing. A must-visit is The Firehouse Restaurant (1112 2nd St), located in a beautifully preserved 1850s firehouse in Old Sacramento, serving upscale American cuisine with an extensive California wine list. Mulvaney’s B&L (1215 19th St) in Midtown is a local favorite, offering daily changing menus based on regional produce and artisanal products. For something more casual, head to Tower Café (1518 Broadway), beloved for its eclectic global menu and lush outdoor patio. If you’re craving international flavors, Binchoyaki Izakaya Dining (2226 10th St) is an excellent spot for Japanese small plates, while Zócalo (1801 Capitol Ave) delivers bold and authentic Mexican fare in a lively setting. Don’t leave without trying Sacramento’s buzzing coffee culture—Temple Coffee Roasters (2829 S St) is a local institution for serious coffee lovers.
