The capital of California, Sacramento, is full of different activities and things to do, which can easily attract tourists and locals. The city itself is a bit in a shadow comparing to its neighbors. Still, everyone will find a way to enjoy the city and do something incredible and exciting here, regardless of their interests, income, or age. Sacramento offers various parks and beaches, museums and monuments, restaurants and bars, theatres, clubs, and other places. Beautiful Victorian architecture and vibrant historical atmosphere will never leave a visitor indifferent. Here is a list of top 15 activities in the capital of California.
A perfect day should start with a great breakfast. One of the most excellent breakfast places in Sacramento is Bacon & Butter with rich food. Amazing Benedict eggs on a grilled cheese sandwich and a great cup of fresh coffee is a must. Another delightful place to eat your first meal of the day is Morgan’s in Downtown Sacramento. Breakfast it its specialty, the portions are large, and the prices are fair. They say espresso here is among the most famous in the city. Also, there is a lovely little cafeteria called Nido, where you can get a quick coffee and a delicious sandwich to-go.
You may start with Miller Regional Park. Here you can watch a beautiful sunset combined with water views and parked fancy boats. It can be a perfect point to finish an incredible walk, starting with the Automobile Museum with the exposition of more than 150 retro-style vehicles. The quay is informative and historical, too. While walking down the river, you may read many plaques that tell you more about the city. Sacramento river gives a perfect opportunity in any case, whether you want to take a quiet and relaxing stroll, or ride a bike, or take your partner out to a romantic date.
For those fond of art, museums, and galleries, Sacramento has a lot to offer. The most notable one is the Crocker Art Museum which is situated in Downtown. The museum is spread in two buildings. One of them has an Italian style and was built in the 1870s, and the other one is a modern building made of concrete, metal, and glass.
Handle District is full of restaurants, bars, breweries, and fanciest stores. A couple of blocks, a mix of architecture styles and beautiful buildings, combine with hipsters’ favorite places and charming eateries. The district offers various cuisines to try and the produce of local breweries. The area is quite close to McKinley Park, one of the most popular parks in town.
There are two zoos in Sacramento. There is one in a huge William Land Park; it was built in 1927. Guests can visit more than five hundred rare animals like panthers, red-tailed hawks, red pandas, and more. Another one is the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, which is 25 miles away from Downtown, it takes less than a half-hour to get there by car or taxi. This is a home for wild animals for more than 50 years now. Take your whole family and explore nature and the animals in Sacramento zoos, and you will not regret it.
In Sacramento you may find a lot of parks of different sizes, well maintained, that suggest a wide range of activities. They are inviting those who love sports, want to stay outdoors with their kids, would love to arrange a picnic, or visit a yoga class, or just walk around amazing trees and flowers, and so on.
McKinley Park is one of definitely winning and beloved parks in Sacramento among both tourists and locals. Here, anyone will find a thing to do: either walking around a lovely rose garden and a pond with ducks and geese or starting a morning with a jogging or cycling session. Visitors with kids will be content with several playgrounds. Various picnic zones are welcoming ones who love having a romantic dinner with their partner or a beautiful evening with friends. The place offers free yoga classes, too.
William Land Park is enormous, and it has tons of things to do inside. Besides endless paths for peaceful walks and energetic jogging, zones for recreation, sports courts, and grassy areas, you can visit a zoo with more than five hundred animals. There is also a rock garden which is waiting for those who love photography and exceptional views. A considerable territory is dedicated to kids: Fairytale Town with some attractions, including Funderland Park with merry-go-rounds. In a botanical garden, one will find lots of unusual plants and catchy flowers.
Southside Park is a fascinating place for adventure lovers! Park is themed with space and spaceships, full of decoration and constructions with handrails and ramps, play structures, and climbing walls. Some objects of public art are hidden in the trees. Therapeutic gardens in the park will help you to relax and get a good vibe.
The state’s government is located in the majestic capitol building that was built in 1860. Nowadays it is both an office for the authorities and a museum which anyone can visit for free. It looks like a small cozy copy of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. The lovely Capitol Park surrounds the building. Here, you may get to the World Peace Rose Garden with fabulous flowers and a sophisticated atmosphere or a botanical garden with details about every plant.
Wandering around in Old Sacramento, don’t forget to visit the Sacramento History Museum. It suggests its guests a surprising tour to the underground. You will stroll half a mile with a guide and see the gems of the city hidden for over a hundred years. The museum also has an archeological exhibition which will impress those who are curious about the topic.
Check out several farmers’ markets in Sacramento. Some of them are working only on Saturdays and Sundays, but Sprouts Farmers Market is open every day. A wide selection of products will help you prepare for a picnic in the park or breakfast or dinner at home. Seasonal markets from May to October are available in some parks in the city as well.
TheState Historic Park in Old Sacramento has about 300 acres of land. Situated in the city’s downtown, it offers more than 50 historical buildings and the best examples of Victorian architecture. For those who love museums and interested in history and new knowledge, the park suggests the Railroad Museum, the Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum, the California Military Museum, and more. Food buffs will be satisfied with several places to eat with authentic western cuisine. The park itself has a cozy atmosphere and a vintage style. If you are a fan of sweets and cakes, don’t skip nine places where you may find local traditional confections.
One of Stanford University’s founders, Leland Stanford, used to live in Sacramento and was its governor back in the 19th century. He had a massive mansion in the very heart of the city. Nowadays it is a museum where one can go on guided tours every day. If you are not interested in going inside, just come by and check out this grandiose Victorian building.
This is a perfect place to meditate near the water and spend blissful hours on the coast. You also can walk around among the trees and relax by nature. A very chill spot to catch stunning sunsets and have a great day with your family and friends.
If you want to see a movie, don’t miss out on the Tower Theatre. It was built in 1938 in a beautiful art deco style. A sizeable tower has a grandiose exterior that is lit with bright neon lights. The cinema’s repertoire has different popular second-run films, independent movies, opera broadcasts, and more. There is also a Broadway Sacramento, which offers excellent showcases, vivid contemporary performances, and Broadway At Music Circus with tons of positive reviews for those who would love to have musical experience.
Sacramento has a lot of big and small breweries with its style. If you are a fan of beer and curious about it in different countries, visit Track 7. A spacious brewery offers many kinds of beer and great food. Families can come here with children, and dog owners may bring their pets. The place itself is an enormous warehouse which has enough space for all the guests. A smaller option in Midtown is New Helvetia. They say beer here is fantastic, and the atmosphere is very friendly because of helpful staff. Finally, At Ease Brewing Company is highly recommended by beer lovers. Anyway, in Sacramento, you may find dozens of breweries that offer different local beers for each one’s taste.
Sacramento has incredible food choices because the products are delivered directly from farmers. It is considered to be a farm-to-fork city so that restaurants may offer dishes of the highest quality. Sacramento has numerous places that are included in Zagat ratings with high points. It provides options for eaters with sophisticated taste and those who want to grab a pizza or a burger to go. American, Asian and Italian cuisine here is stunning, especially local options. If you came to the States and have never eaten something genuinely American, visit Ella Dining Room & Bar, Localis, The Kitchen Restaurant, or Grange Restaurant & Bar. Italy is represented by Biba, Allora, Adamo’s, and Lucca Restaurant. To have an Asian style, dinner locals and tourists prefer Frank Fat’s Restaurant, Good Friends Restaurant, and Bangkok @12 Thai Restaurant. Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar is winning for sushi, and excellent pizza is in Pizza Rock and Chicago Fire. If you want to grab a steak, don’t miss Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Dawson’s Steakhouse, or Echo and Rig.
No one will leave unsatisfied. If you love having a glass of wine or a cocktail after having dinner, Sacramento has perfect bars. Have a drink in Karma Brew, Jungle Bird, The Grand, and many more. It is also quite popular to have dinner in a bar instead of visiting a fancy restaurant.
As you can see, there are at least 15 amazing things to do in Sacramento. Of course, there is more. The city is marvelous and attracts visitors with many leisure options, food choices, breweries with authentic beer, beautiful green parks, and activities for families with kids. Anyone can find a thing here which will be unforgettable and pleasant. Enjoy historical and art museums, shopping, walking around, or exploring local food and bars’ culture. Have your best vacation in the capital of California!
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