Sacramento is the metropolitan hub of a diverse region with attractions ranging from the Gold Rush-era Old Sacramento Waterfront to a trendy Midtown area, farm-to-fork restaurants, a burgeoning wine region and a host of outdoor activities. This sample four-day itinerary is ideal for motorcoach travel and showcases a little of everything, giving visitors a complete look at what Sacramento and the region have to offer.
Day 1
Start your day with a docent-lead tour of the California State Capitol. Experience California's rich history and witness the making of history through the modern lawmaking process. After the tour, walk the beautiful Capitol grounds to see the World Peace Rose Garden, the Firefighters Memorial and California Veteran's Memorial, just to name a few.
Next stop, Old Sacramento Waterfront. Meander the boardwalk while taking in the beautiful Sacramento River views. Visit the California State Railroad Museum and enjoy stimulating exhibits, knowledgeable docents, and beautifully restored railroad cars and locomotives illustrating railroad history in California and the West. Enjoy lunch at the Pilothouse restaurant aboard the Delta King riverboat. Next, hop aboard the Hornblower for a one-hour Sacramento River cruise. End your Old Sacramento with a tasting of local wines at the Underground Tasting Room.
After a rest at the hotel, we suggest dinner at Lucca Restaurant & Bar. It offers Sacramento a California/Mediterranean-influenced menu with reasonably priced menu choices graciously served in a classy, comfortable setting with private dining options.
Day 2
We suggest starting your morning with a trek up to Apple Hill. The scenic roads are filled with apple and fruit farms, bake shops, wineries, and flower gardens. Taste red wines at Boeger Winery, relax with a beer at Jack Russell Farm Brewery and don't miss hot apple cider donuts at Rainbow Orchards or a Walkin' Pie at Delfino Farms.
Then it's time for some Gold Rush history at the Gold Bug Park & Mine. Experience the Gold Rush like a real miner at Gold Bug Park & Mine. The mine dates to 1849 and is an excellent example of hard rock mining. Then walk up the Hendy Stamp Mill for a demonstration of the ore extraction process.
Finish up your day with a leisurely stroll through Midtown. Hop on one of five 15-passenger Sac Brew Bikes and experience the best bars and craft beer Sacramento has to offer. Make it a progressive dinner sampling farm-to-fork fare at each stop.
Day 3
Today starts in Clarksburg with a trip just outside of Sacramento along the Sacramento River to the Old Sugar Mill. Explore each of the 15 wineries and taste wines in a beautiful historic building. Next up, grab lunch to go at Husicks Taphouse and enjoy it at Bogle Vineyards in their beautiful picnic area while sipping award-winning wines.
The evening wraps up with a relaxing and scenic trip aboard the Sacramento River Train. The rail line spans 14 miles from West Sacramento to Woodland through open farmland, over the Fremont Bridge, and through the Yolo County Wildlife Refuge. At a leisurely 10 to 15 miles per hour, the round trip takes about three hours. Enjoy the Wild West Dinner, Old Vine Express, Murder Mystery or Beer Train, all including dinner.
Day 4
Today's theme is history, arts and culture. The day starts at the California Museum, home of the California Hall of Fame. Learn about California’s rich history and unique contributions to the world through ideas, innovation, the arts and culture. Next, visit the Crocker Art Museum, the oldest art museum west of the Mississippi and featuring the world’s foremost display of California art.
Moving on to performing arts, attend Broadway At Music Circus, the largest, continually operating musical theater-in-the-round in the country, at The Wells Fargo Pavilion. Or, grab a Sacramento River Cats midday game at Raley Field.
Bring history to life and enjoy a barbecue dinner after the gates shut at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park with a pioneer dinner. Docents (dressed in historic costume) will be ready to answer questions about life in the 1840s. Enjoy demonstrations such as butter churning, weaving, blacksmithing or rope making.
This is just a small bite of what Sacramento has to offer. For more Sacramento inspiration, read the latest edition of our Visitors' Guide.
