Discover Sacramento: History, Museums and Bike Trails

Sacramento combines a distinctive history with museums, guided tours, and opportunities to explore nature and science. When planning your trip, you can decide which themes you want to shape your stay: California’s history, railroads, interactive exhibits, or bike trails. Some offerings are seasonal or may change, so it’s worth checking the latest visitor information before your trip.

City History and Historic Sites

Sacramento was founded in December 1848 by John A. Sutter, Jr. During the Gold Rush, the city was an important distribution point and later a terminus of the Pony Express. These milestones provide a historical context for a visit without limiting the city’s history to a single neighborhood.

Old Sacramento is listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places; it was added on October 15, 1966. The Old Sacramento Visitors’ Center offers information about the Old Sacramento Waterfront. If you’re planning a visit, check the latest visitor information before your trip. A guided tour program in Old Sacramento also explores underground areas and hollow spaces beneath the sidewalks. Check the program’s current schedule in advance.

Another detail in the city’s development concerns the streets in Sacramento’s business district: they were raised more than 20 feet above the flood level. The State Capitol Museum presents California’s history through public tours and exhibits. It offers free tours of the historic Capitol building or Capitol Park; schedules may change.

Museums and Seasonal Experiences

The California State Railroad Museum is located in Old Sacramento State Historic Park and offers a close-up look at railroad history. From April through September, it offers historic and authentic train excursions. Since this is a seasonal offering and schedule details should be checked, it’s a good idea to confirm the latest information before your trip.

At the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, interactive exhibits and programs bring together science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Exhibit topics include energy, health, water, nature, space, and design engineering. The planetarium presents a variety of star shows and feature films. Exhibits, programs, and screenings may change, so it’s a good idea to check the latest information before your visit.

Nature, Animals, and Outdoor Activities

At the Sacramento Zoo, education, recreation, and conservation go hand in hand: guests are encouraged to develop appreciation and respect for wildlife and nature, and to connect with them. Fairytale Town is home to pigs, goats, and lambs, and features a landscape shaped by gardens. These different highlights offer specific themes to choose from if animals, nature, or gardens are among your interests.

Those who want to explore Sacramento by bike will find more than 32 miles of paved bike trails along the American River Parkway. This makes cycling a distinct focus to include in your trip plans, alongside historic sites or museums.

Traveling by Train

The Gold Runner offers train service through the Central Valley to Sacramento Valley Station in downtown. If you’re planning to use this service for your trip, check the latest service details beforehand. This will help you coordinate your train journey with planned visits based on current service information.

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