The capital Sacramento is tops in California
An unsung haven; Sacramento is California’s capital city. Its charms are often easily ignored by tourists’ intent on experiencing the delights of San Francisco some 90 miles away. This is a city which is synonymous with the era of the Gold Rush. Located where the Sacramento and American Rivers meet, there are sightseeing opportunities to enthuse the senses and set those imaginary wagons rolling again. Climatically, the tourist is advised to avoid the winter months if possible. Throughout the year, though, the welcome is always warm and embracing. There’s so much to see and enjoy in Sacramento; the problem is, where to start.
Sacramento Ca; is an accommodating sort of place
The city has accommodation options and prices to suit almost all travellers and sightseers. If needing to be within easy reach of major attractions, city centre hotels are advised. That said, there’s a hotel here to suit all tastes, requirements and budgets. Those top-end choices are elegant in the extreme and include luxurious pools and spas among their difficult to resist features. Accommodation with a less ambitious price-tag can be found, quite readily, particularly in the areas around the Governor’s Mansion, Riverfront Promenade, Convention Centre and State Capitol. Then, there are the perennially popular bed and breakfast establishments. There’s an excellent choice, here in Sacramento and personal service, informality, garden areas and a sense of space, ensure their continuing popularity and success.
There’s a hotel here to suit all tastes and budgets. Top-end choices are elegant in the extreme. They include luxurious pools and spas among their difficult to resist features. Accommodation with a less ambitious price-tag can be found, quite readily, in the areas around the Governor’s Mansion, Riverfront Promenade, Convention Centre and State Capitol. Then, there are the perennially popular bed and breakfast establishments. There’s an excellent choice, here in Sacramento where personal service, informality, garden areas and a sense of space, ensure their continuing popularity and success.
Exploring the past and the make-believe world of Sacramento
Built in the 1860s, The State Capitol Building is one of the most impressive in the USA. Palms and exotic plants feature in the garden and the State Capitol Museum houses artworks and antiques. Heaven has arrived on Earth for railway enthusiasts. California State Railway Museum provides refurbished carriages, steam locomotive rides and model trains to fascinate the enthusiast. California Automobile Museum provides a similar source of fascination for lovers of classic cars. The white man’s first outpost is recreated at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park and offers a glance back to those pre-Gold Rush days. The very long list of city features also includes Old Sacramento State Historic Park. The notorious red lights dimmed in the 1960s and the area’s dubiously vibrant past is now replaced with a stunning retail and cultural centre. Fairy tales, nursery rhymes, animals and gardens, make up the make-believe world at Fairytale Town. The appeal of Sacramento, though, is always real and totally fascinating.
Meet the giant attractions of Sacramento
Even non-believers wonder at the splendour of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on 11th Street. There is a full entertainment programme staged at the nearby Crest Theater. American River Parkway runs from Old Sacramento to Folsom and to even more interesting attractions and activities. Folsom Prison now offers a gift shop, museum and an insight into prison life during days gone by. Then, see how electricity was once generated, at Old Folsom Power House. At Sacramento’s Cal Expo, California State Fair has universal appeal for two weeks every July. The venue houses boat, RV and many other expos throughout the year. Local annual attractions also include the Sacramento Music Festival. Sacramento’s many quirky attractions include the murals at Dragon House in the Curtis Park district. One of Sacramento’s truly huge attractions is the 20 feet high cowboy giant. He tends to hang around Silverado Nursery on Jackson Road. Then, head along Bradshaw Road and see the dinosaur skeleton. Another mammoth feature is the giant Water Tank near Natomas Boulevard. It has been re-figured to include massively impressive artwork.
Plain sailing for visitors
Sacramento became California’s capital city in 1854 and its early success was based on the discovery of gold. Counteracting the attraction of gold was the area’s famous likelihood of flooding. This feature continues to be a thorn in the city’s side. The greater city area covers the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is a substantial city with a population that hovers around the half a million mark. Within the confines of its 28 acres, Old Sacramento has more than its fair share of historic buildings. This has certainly been a feature in the city’s emergence as a tourist location. Although visitors tend to use traditional modes of transport such as car, bus and aeroplane to get here, some have latched on to the access provided by the city owned Public Docks which themselves, are a tourist attraction. There are 1,000 mooring spaces here and with a maximum stay of four days, this is the perfect solution for boat-owning visitors. The Docks are on the Sacramento River; near Capital Mall and Tower Bridge.