CALIFORNIA · PLACES & PERSPECTIVES
Sacramento
Railroad stories, art and the capital’s riverfront
Sacramento, California’s capital, sits at the meeting of the Sacramento and American rivers. Its historic waterfront and museums make a coherent city visit, while the surrounding Central Valley adds food, agriculture and wildlife to a longer regional journey.
Begin at Old Sacramento
The California State Railroad Museum places rail travel at the center of a visit to the historic waterfront. Give the museum time, then explore the surrounding district on foot. Museum entry and excursion-train operations are different experiences; consult the current calendar if a train ride is important to you.
Add art or a river outing
The Crocker Art Museum offers a different focus from the waterfront’s transport history. For time outdoors, select a particular section of the American River Parkway instead of treating the entire river corridor as one short walk. Leave room for a market or a meal that reflects the region’s agricultural setting.
MAKE IT YOUR JOURNEY
Plan your visit
A full day can comfortably center on the historic waterfront and one additional museum. With more time, explore another neighborhood or a river trail. Downtown parking, museum openings and the chosen trail access point deserve a check before arrival. Sacramento is a northern Central Valley base; Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra require separate journey planning.