Things to do in Sacramento

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tleonhar @ Oct 2 2007, 12:48 PM) [snapback]520463[/snapback]</div>

Old Town Sacramento's got a few things to see; if you like trains there's a decent railroad museum there. Sutter's Mill is in town too (gold discovered in a millrace there set off the 1849 gold rush). Can't think of much else - I'm always either driving through it enroute to someplace else or flying over it to someplace else, but I'm sure the Sacto residents on this board will have some ideas. If you're going to be in town a few days and able to drive places, it's only about 3 - 4 hours to Yosemite, a place always worth going out of your way to see if you're ever within range of it (although most of the waterfalls are either dry or trickles at this time of year - but then if you like swimming in brisk water you can swim at the base of Vernal Falls and climb up on a ledge & dive through Vernal Falls (since it's just a trickle) and that's a treat).

Other places outside Sacramento that might be interesting: Travis AFB Museum, Columbia (restored gold rush town), Reno, and don't forget the little hamlet of San Francisco just 90 minutes west on I-80. I've heard there are a few things to do in San Francisco, although as a resident for 50 plus years I've yet to do any of them myself.

Mark Baird
Alameda CA

 

Unfortunately you missed the Da Vinci Experience by less than a week. It was here for several months, and is so worth hunting down if it comes to a city near you, or visa-versa.
http://www.davinciexperience.info/

Sacramento is more of a destination for government and history buffs rather than a destination like Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Reno, San Francisco . . . although all are within striking distance for a day trip. In fact, long ago the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce once considered using "SACRAMENTO, CLOSE TO EVERYTHING" as a motto. :lol: :lol: :lol: . . . not saying much about Sacto itself. :blink: :huh:

Weather wise, you will be here on one of our coldest day in many months.
70 . . . burrrrrr! I'm gonna have to fire up the whole house fan in the this afternoon to warm up the house in preparation for the cold snap. :lol: It should be in the low 80's this time of year.
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick....6&map.y=137


As a native Sacramentan, I'm pretty sure Sutter's Mill hasn't been moved from its permanent location in Coloma, Ca . . . about 45 miles east of downtown . . . but Sutter's Fort is still here. . . . and if you go to the fort, make sure to visit the State Indian Museum located on the grounds, but outside the fort walls and behind the front of the fort.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=485
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=486

Agreed, "Old Sac" is a nice place to visit - especially if you like tourist traps with way too many candy stores. Just how much salt water taffy can a person eat?
The State Railroad Museum is a must if you are in Old Sac and like trains.
http://www.csrmf.org/default.asp
By all means, take a stroll around Old Sac, and see the Delta King http://www.deltaking.com/ - but it is a working hotel/restaurant, so access is somewhat limited.

Of course there is the State Capitol Building and Grounds . . . the "I may get lucky and see Arnold experience." But, as capitol buildings go, it is very accessible and worth the time, it is both a working capitol and a museum.
http://capitolmuseum.ca.gov/

And one block south is the State Museum.
http://www.californiamuseum.org/About-Us/about-us.html

Also nearby:
The Crocker Art Museum
http://www.crockerartmuseum.org/

Food:
Sacramento is getting quite the reputation for a vibrant restaurant scene.
Three local, non-chain places near the downtown area I recommend; each are good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Prices are good and the dress codes are "come as you are":

33rd Street Bistro.
About four blocks east of the Sutter's Fort. Located on the corner of 33rd and Folsom Boulevard.
http://www.33rdstreetbistro.com/directions.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/XzdUKeF0AWW2e43kKk...7EmQ/query:33rd

Fox & Goose Public House.
Just a couple of blocks south of the downtown area at 10th & R Streets. (live music on Friday nights, so plan accordingly.)
http://foxandgoose.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/85FzcNUPYmkVsEQRHkY-Ow

Tower Cafe
A few more blocks south of the downtown area. Located in the landmark Tower Theater building on the corner of Broadway and 16th Street.
http://www.towercafe.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/FKzQgkugJXdpyFnAEE...Lfw/query:Tower

You may have heard some of us here in FHOP rave about Peet's coffee. If you are so inclined and haven't yet, here's your chance:
Peet's Coffee
19th and R Street.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/h3uM1M0gvrP4LwL35pnbjA

If by chance you wish to visit a winery, but Napa is not on your itinerary, Bogle Vinyards is a highly rated vintner, is only about 18 miles from downtown Sacramento, but feels like it is in the middle of nowhere. The drive down the Sacramento River and into the Sacramento Delta area is beautiful.
http://www.boglewinery.com/index2.htm
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&...p;z=11&om=1

 

Many excellent restaurants, the American River and Parkway, light rail, the State Railroad Museum and many other features.

 

It's been a few decades since I was there, but you might want to check out Fanny Ann's Saloon in Old Town. The place definitely has character.

One of the features is that the restrooms are labeled "Men" and "Women", with an arrow under the label pointing to the other room. Doesn't matter how you interpret the label, someone else will figure it out differently.

 

I was there for the California School Library Association conference last year.

I had a few hours before my flight and I went to see the Capitol. There was a little renovating going on in the rotunda area but I enjoyed my self guided tour. The red and green meeting rooms were great. I loved the original floors, fixtures and stained glass. The grounds were also quite nice.

I did ask a guard about some special plaster ceilings that I had read about years ago when the capitol was being renovated. The guard was nice enough to lead me to the room where another guard told me all about it. The artist used pastry tips and bags to do the ceiling and it was absolutely stunning. He asked if I was in a hurry or could wait until he was off shift in about 15 min. I said I didn't have much to do and could wait. He relief came a little early and we were off to see something special. He took me to a meeting room that the public doesn't normally see. This was where the second ceiling the artist did was. It was more stunning that the first. You could tell she had hit her stride and was very comfortable with this new art form. There was also a "lobbying bench" in there he told me about. Originally it was in the hallway. Lobbyist had to sit on the bench and remain there. Politicians could approach the bench to talk to them if they so desired. Thus, all conversations were out in the open.

I'd like to see the lobbying benches return to all of our government buildings and their use strictly enforced.