Tourist Attractions in Sacramento

Sacramento is the capital city of the state of California, USA, located at the confluence of the American River and the Sacramento River in Sacramento Valley and it is an important financial city in the state and this is where “California begins” according to a famous saying.

Sacramento has a lot to offer both natives and visitors and it is a popular place for tourists, and only partly because of its very hot and dry summers and mild to cold winters.

We have listed some of the many things to visit or experience when visiting the city or the area, including some whitewater rafting that can be booked through getyourguide.com. You will see links to those further down in this article.

First, let us mention a sample of some of the other experiences, sites, and adventures available here.

Sacramento has several interesting museums including the California Museum, the California State Railroad Museum, the Crocker Art Museum, the California State Capitol Museum, the California Automobile Museum as well as the California State Indian Museum and the Sacramento History Museum.

The Old Sacramento Historic Park covers the entire 1850’s business district and is a National Historic Landmark since 1965 and includes buildings that were built at the beginning of the Gold Rush, which started in the Sacramento area. One of the buildings is the Eagle Theatre which was the very first permanent theatre in the state of California, built in 1849, and it would have been frequented by gold miners. The building was featured in the TV show Ghost Adventures as the theatre is said to be haunted.

Today the Sacramento Zoo has around 400 animals from across the globe with a focus on conservation, recreation and education. When the zoo was first founded it consisted of about 40 animals collected from local parks and was far from the experience offered there today.

Sutter’s Fort was created by John Sutter in 1839 and this was where the community was focused around at the time and up until January 24, 1848 when an employee of the fort, James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill about 72 km/45 mi from the fort, and the fort was abandoned as it was as the Gold Rush began. The fort has been restored since and is now on the register of National Historic Landmarks.

The Pony Express was only in operation for 18 months, from April 3, 1860 to October 26, 1861, and the Pony Express Terminal in Sacramento was the end point. Today the building is officially a National Historic Landmark and it houses the Wells Fargo History Museum. This was also the building first used as the California Supreme Court and it’s also a place where one can learn more about the Gold Rush.

The American River Bike Trail, also known as the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, runs for 51.5 km/32 mi between Discovery Park in Old Sacramento and Beal’s Point by Folsom Lake. The trail has amenities such as water fountains, restrooms and public phones along the way, is completely paved and has two lanes and there are plenty of places where you can rest and stop to have something to eat.

Fairytale Town is a children’s museum with more than 25 different areas reflecting a children’s story, fairytale or nursery rhyme where children can play and bring the stories to life.

The Dive Bar is a bar with a 7,500 gallon/28,390 l tank of water above it where mermaids and merman swim while you enjoy your drink of choice.

The Sac Brew Bike is a multi-person bike that is a fun way to cycle to some of Sacramento’s best drinking and eating spots while the driver steers and you and your friends or family peddle.

See a show at The B Street Theatre, a theatre known for creating shows that are of the highest quality that is the reason why The Sacramento News has awarded it the “Best Live Theatre” many, many years in a row.

Now, let’s get rafting or whitewater rafting. First, whitewater rafting is rafting taking place in water that is wild and “white” from the froth of the water appearing white.

Sacramento: South Fork American River Full Day Rafting Trip

The duration of this adventure is 8 hours and no prior experience is necessary. It takes place in Lotus on the Class 2 to 3+ South Fork American River and is suitable for first timers, non-swimmers and kids from age 7 and up.

Included in the experience is a BBQ lunch, all rafting equipment, shuttle between the river and the meeting point, plus a rafting guide.

As you come through big rapid professional photographers will capture your photo which can later review and purchase if you choose to.

Auburn: Class 2 American River Rafting Trip

This is a 5-hour adventure for beginners and kids from age 4 and up and it not only includes the rafting, but also your guides telling you about the river’s history as well as about the flora, fauna and animals here in Auburn, California and the Lower Middle Fork American River.

Shuttles between the meeting point and the river, rafting equipment as well as the guide is included in the price for this adventure.

From Auburn: American River Middle Fork Whitewater Rafting

This 11 hour 17-mile/27 km long rafting trip has you navigating Class 4 rapids on the Middle Fork of the American River. It includes the Tunnel Chute, a wild whitewater rush created in 1889 when gold miners blasted it to mine the riverbed.

Halfway through it will become calmer and it will give you the opportunity to swim, play games or just enjoy the sunshine while the guides prepare a gourmet lunch, after which you will explore the lush side canyons and creeks beside the river.

As the rafting continues the gradient steepens and you get to apply your rafting skills while jetting through the rapids on the final stretch.

The experience is suitable for people over the age of 12 and under 250 lbs/113 kg. It includes transportation between the meeting point and the river, rafting equipment, lunch and a professional guide.