Destination guides > North America > USA > West Coast > California > Sacramento
Sacramento
California’s capital grew up around the gold rush of the 1840s and 1850s. Although not a popular destination, it is worth a look if you’re driving through this part of California.
Practical information
Sacramento Visitors Information Center
1101 2nd Street, Sacramento
Tel (916) 442 7644
Website www.discovergold.org
Open 10am-5pm daily
INTERNET ACCESS
An Internet Café
7734 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Carmichael, CA 95608
Bus 9, 10, 23
Tel (916) 944 2299
Website http://aninternetcafe.com/
Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm
If you are travelling with your own computer you can access the internet at Panera Bread, which has free wi-fi wireless internet access at most of its stores including 3571 North Freeway Boulevard and 901 How Avenue.
Coming & going
Sacramento is well connected by bus and train and it even has its own international airport.
AIR
Few budget travellers fly into Sacramento’s airport (tel (916) 929 5411), 24km north of the city centre.
Yolobus (tel 1800 371 2877) buses 42A and 42B run between the airport and downtown Sacramento. The one-way fare is $1.50.
BUS
Greyhound has direct coaches to San Francisco, LA and Seattle. Greyhound coaches stop at the corner of 7th and L Streets.
TRAIN
Amtrak trains run from the station near the corner of 5th and I Streets bound for Oakland, Los Angeles and Seattle.
Local transport
Sacramento has a good public transport system (tel (916) 321 2877) consisting of bus routes and a light rail system; although few travellers use it, as most points of interest are in the relatively walkable neighbourhood of Old Sacramento.
Most fares are $2 but the Central City Shuttle costs $1 and transfers are 25c. An all-day pass costs $5.
Hostel accommodation
HI - Sacramento Youth Hostel
925 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-1816
Tel (916) 443 1691
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Most sights are in Old Sacramento, including several excellent museums.
Aerospace Museum of California
This aerospace museum on the former McClellan Air Force Base is home to a large collection of aircraft although the museum's most unique exhibit is Charlie 7, a USAF aircraft crash rescue vehicle.
3200 Freedom Park Drive, McClellan, CA 95652
Bus 1, 19, 80, 84
Tel (916) 643 3192
Website www.aerospacemuseumofcalifornia.org
Admission $8
Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm
California State Capitol & State Capitol Museum
Sacramento's most recognisable landmark dominates the city centre - and Californian politics. The museum inside the neo-classical Capitol building displays art and exhibits about California's state political process.
10th & L streets, Sacramento 95814
Bus 30, 31, 38, 50E, 63, 64, 143 Light Rail K Street Mall
Tel (916) 324 0333
Website www.statecapitolmuseum.ca.gov
Admission free
Open 9am-5pm daily; tours depart hourly
California State Railroad Museum
This outstanding museum is a must for railway enthusiasts and it features an excellent collection of locomotives.
125 I Street, Sacramento
Bus 15, 86, 88
Tel (916) 323 9280
Website www.csrmf.org
Admission $8
Open 10am-5pm daily
Crocker Art Museum
This museum houses an excellent collection of 19th century American art.
216 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Bus 38, 140, 141
Tel (916) 264 5423
Website www.crockerartmuseum.org
Admission $6 ($3 students); free Sun 10am-1pm
Open Tue-Wed 10am-5pm, Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sun 10am-5pm
Discovery Museum - Gold Rush History Center
This branch of Sacramento's science museum has exhibits focusing on the California gold rush.
101 I Street, Sacramento
Bus 15, 86, 88
Tel (916) 264 7057
Website www.thediscovery.org
Admission $5
Open Jan-Jun Tue-Sun 10am-5pm; Jul-Aug 10am-5pm daily; Sep-Dec Tue-Sun 10am-5pm
Discovery Museum - Science & Space Center
Sacramento's natural history and science museum features a planetarium and hands-on exhibits on science and natural history.
3615 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95821
Bus 1, 9, 10, 26, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 Light Rail Watt/I-80
Tel (916) 575 3941
Website www.thediscovery.org
Admission $5
Open Jan-Jun Tue-Fri noon-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm; Jul-Aug 10am-5pm; Sep-Dec Tue-Fri noon-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
Wells Fargo History Museums
There are two Wells Fargo Museums in Sacramento with exhibits relating to the gold rush.
Wells Fargo Center, 400 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814
Bus 11, 36, 38, 62, 86, 88, 50E, 140, 141 Light Rail 7th & Capitol
Tel (916) 440 4161
Website www.wellsfargo.com/about/museum_info
Admission free
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
1000 2nd Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Bus 15, 86, 88, 89, 143
Tel (916) 440 4263
Website www.wellsfargo.com/about/museum_info
Admission free
Open 10am-5pm daily
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