Sacramento: Discover Culture, Rivers and Nature

Sacramento combines Californian history with river landscapes, wetlands and a diverse range of museums. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home for your trip, it is worth first considering which experiences should shape your stay: historic sites and exhibitions, paths along the water or natural areas with seasonal activities.

Rivers, Trails and Protected Landscapes

The Sacramento County Regional Parks manage and operate more than 15,000 acres of parks with open spaces, multi-use trails, river access points and picnic areas. The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail offers various opportunities for active days: you can hike, ride horses, cycle, inline skate, jog or go for a walk there. This range is useful when planning your trip if you do not want every day to follow the same rhythm.

A distinctive landscape feature is Discovery Park at the confluence of the American River and Sacramento River. There is a boat ramp on the banks of the American River, as well as an opportunity to launch boats from a car roof. Howe Avenue River Access also combines proximity to the river with a specific activity: a ramp allows small boats and rafts to be launched from a car roof into the American River. Muddy riverbanks and riverside vegetation give the site a wild appearance despite its proximity to the road.

The Cosumnes River Preserve protects thousands of acres of wetlands and adjacent upland areas. More than 250 bird species, 40 fish species and 230 plant species live there. At Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, self-guided trails lead across the Blue Heron Trails; seasonal guided ranger walks and paddling tours are also offered. Deer Creek Hills Preserve complements this range with scheduled hikes, horseback rides, mountain biking tours, educational programs and special community activities as part of limited public access.

The Illa M. Collin Conservation Preserve protects a rare landscape with seasonal ponds, as well as habitats for a diverse range of native, rare and endangered plant and animal species. Those who enjoy alternating longer activities with quieter nature observations will therefore find various options in Sacramento for shaping their own travel plans.

Historic Sacramento and Californian Culture

Old Sacramento State Historic Park comprises more than 50 historic buildings. They reflect Sacramento's historical significance as the western terminus of the Pony Express, the first transcontinental railroad and the transcontinental telegraph. The California State Railroad Museum brings this focus to life with more than 225,000 square feet of exhibition space, restored railroad cars and locomotives. The locomotive collection includes 19 steam locomotives dating from 1862 to 1944.

The Crocker Art Museum extends across three floors and 15 unique gallery spaces. It displays art from different centuries, continents and cultures; the collection comprises more than 25,000 objects representing a wide variety of artistic media and styles. The California Museum dedicates its exhibitions to California's history, art and culture, with an emphasis on diversity and lesser-told stories. The institution also includes the California Hall of Fame, while interactive experiences convey the history and culture of the state.

At the State Indian Museum, the three themes of nature, spirit and family take center stage. The collection includes traditional baskets, a redwood canoe, ceremonial clothing, beadwork, acorn-processing tools, and hunting and fishing equipment. Some objects are more than 2,400 years old. Self-guided group tours can be reserved online.

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park is the oldest restored fort in the West. Historic rooms and exhibitions showcase early California and the experiences of the many population groups that shaped the region. The park is open daily for self-guided visits. The Effie Yeaw Nature Center in the American River Parkway provides additional environmental and cultural knowledge. The trails there are open daily from sunrise to sunset; the building contains exhibitions, information and live animals.

Getting There and Choosing Accommodation

Sacramento International Airport is part of the Sacramento County airport system and serves as a gateway to California and the world. For onward travel between downtown and the airport, SacRT Route 142 provides an hourly Airport Express bus service to Terminals A and B. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore first decide whether museums and historic sites, river landscapes or natural areas should be the focus of your days. Events in the Farm-to-Fork series have been held in the Sacramento region since 2013 as food and music festivals as well as culinary experiences, complementing the cultural side of the trip.

For further personal selection, you can find additional destination pages here: Galt, Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, Fair Oaks, Rancho Cordova, North Highlands, Foothill Farms, Carmichael, Antelope, Elverta, Walnut Grove, Courtland, Orangevale and Citrus Heights.

For the higher-level travel overview: California.