When to Visit:
California is known to have pretty great weather all year round. I visited in late October and the weather was in the mid 70-80 degrees °F. In the morning, the air was brisk, but as soon as it hit noon, it felt like summer.
What to Wear:
Make sure to wear layers that you can peel off if you tend to get hot, like I do. At night, the weather can get brisk, so a light jacket or sweater will do.
Sacramento Highlights:
 |
| Check out the memorials outside of the Capitol building. |
 |
| The area was quiet and peaceful at night. |
1. Capitol Building – The heart of California’s government, this building offers beautiful architecture, gardens, and historical exhibits inside. Guided tours provide insights into the state’s political history and workings. My brother and I arrived at night so, we were able to snap a few photos of the building.
 |
| Gold Rush-style buildings lined the street |
2. Old Sacramento – A lively district that takes you back to the Gold Rush era with cobblestone streets, historic buildings, shops, and restaurants. It’s a preserved piece of history, packed with unique things to see. I loved the historic architecture, which reminded me of Tombstone, AZ.
 |
| There was a Dia de los Muertos event in Old Sacramento with live music, vendor booths, and commemoration ceremonies for the dearly departed. |
 |
| I loved the waterfront, the old trains in the area, and the bike path. |
 |
| Loved the Gold Rush era buildings and how well they've been preserved. |
3. Attend an Event in Old Sacramento – From festivals to seasonal events, Old Sacramento hosts many fun gatherings that celebrate local culture, history, and sometimes even reenactments from the Gold Rush days. We were in town for the Dia De Los Muertos event, which featured live bands, multiple vendor booths and those dressed up as the event was right before Halloween.
 |
| Cobblestone streets lined the area |
 |
| A huge selection of candy including salt water taffy, chocolate covered nuts, and even spicy Mexican candy |
 |
| Freshly-made candy including chocolate-covered potato chips |
 |
| Debated whether to get Bacon Candy |
4. Stop by Candy Heaven – A sweet-lover’s havens. This old-school candy shop has everything from nostalgic favorites to unique candies from around the world, all in a colorful, playful atmosphere. I opted for the dark chocolate espresso malt balls and they were delicious!
5. Explore Delta King – This restored paddlewheel riverboat docked on the Sacramento River is both a hotel and a restaurant. It gives you a taste of river travel from the 1920s, with scenic views, unique lodging, and dinner-theater events. This boat reminded me of a smaller version of the Queen Mary as it was docked and contained similar amenities to the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA.
6. Visit the Railroad Museum – One of the largest train museums in the country, it offers exhibits on the impact of railroads in California and the West. The museum even has life-size historic trains and a functioning steam locomotive ride.
 |
| Excited to enter the Oddities and Curiosities Expo |
 |
| Loved the sideshow carnival-type stage where we saw Reggie Bügüncher swallow a sword, light a cigarette with sparks from a saw, carry a fishbowl with her eyelids, and she hammered a nail into her nose! |
 |
| Another highlight was watching Charlie Pain get stapled with cash on both of her arms. It was insane to watch. |
7. Attend an event at Cal Expo - I was in town for the Oddities & Curiosities Expo and the area reminded me of fairgrounds. Keep an eye out for other cool events happening in this area.
These spots showcase the best of Sacramento's history, culture, and unique attractions. I loved the waterfront Old Sacramento area as it was like stepping back in time into the Gold Rush era.
Don’t forget to PIN this post!
Have you been to Sacramento, CA? Let me know in the comments.
Photos by Steven Buena:
Trip Resources
If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!
Booking.com - Anytime we need a rental car, we use this site to find deals.
Expedia.com - I like to use this site to explore upcoming cruises that I'd like to take. I also refer to it to compare hotel prices, flights, and car rentals.
GetYourGuide.com - Book things to do, attractions, tours and discover new food.
VRBO.com - When we’re not staying in an AIRBNB, we’re in a VRBO rental. We use this option when we want to enjoy a full house with individual bedrooms, a kitchen, backyard and other amenities.
TripAdvisor.com - Anytime I want reputable reviews, tips, and overall advice about a vacation area, I leverage this site.
Viator.com - Looking for cool tours in your vacation area? This site has a number of options.
Hey, I'm Christy Scronce, a Filipina-American Los Angeles native and travel enthusiast. I love visiting new places and trying new food. Welcome to my adventure blog where I capture both State & National Park visits, family excursions, and road trips, while sharing my travel photos and recaps. My goal is to visit as many National Parks using my “America the Beautiful” annual pass. 
0 Comments
Leave a comment. Don't be a jerk. Thanks!