The building itself is set in
the midst of a park at least 4-5 city blocks in extent. The property was
owned originally by John Sutter, who deeded it to the city for public parks
or plazas. However, there were four previous Capitol buildings in different
parts of the state before Sacramento was decided upon. The first of these
was in 1849-1851, a mission style two storied building at San Jose, California.
Some historians say the state legislators were dissatisfied with the location
since the accommodations were poor, and the pueblo seemed too remote.
The
second Capitol building was planned for Vallejo, but never materialized.
Again Vallejo seemed too far removed from the rest of the State, and the
accommodations were worse than the Pueblo of San Jose. Disgruntled, the
legislators were offered the newly built, two storied courthouse in Sacramento
as a site for the Capitol. It was in Sacramento that the 1852 session took
place. The legislators arrived by river boat, were warmly greeted. That
warmth exists today in the Capitol city. Take a free tour of the
California State Capitol Museum, located at Capitol Building 10th and L
Streets 916.324.0333 Open daily except major holidays.
With the wealth of history, there is no
shortage of museums to tour and a stroll in Old Sacramento is like walking
through history, itself, with the cobble streets, original buildings and
horse drawn carriages clip clopping up and down the streets. This historic
park includes shops, restaurants, riverboats, antique trains and many things
to look at and do.
For entertainment, Sacramento is home to
one of the largest jazz festivals, held usually in May, miles of bike trails,
river ways, golf courses, museums, a beautiful convention center and
mountains and wineries nearby.
Chosen "most romantic place for
a first date" by locals, Old Sacramento is a National Registered Landmark
situated along the river in downtown "Sac". You can ride a horse
drawn carriage, buy your sweetheart an old fashioned ice cream treat, dine
and enjoy hand crafted beers from a micro brewery, shop for souvenirs and
feel the gold rush through your veins as you tour the various haunts where
miners once ate, drank and slept.
Attracting over 5 million visitors annually,
old Sacramento provides at least a day's worth of browsing with its mother
lode of museums and things to do. Something's always going on in Old Sacramento,
which has become a gathering spot for special events such as one of the
most popular jazz festivals in the United States, held each year in Old
Sacramento. Winters in Sacramento
can be cool and summers warm so be prepared with light clothing for those
summer days and jackets for the winter months.
If you've come to do business at the State
Capitol or are in town for a convention, be sure to allow yourself at least
an hour or two to break away and visit Old Sacramento. You'll find the
experience enriching and you'll take home more than a souvenir from your
Sacramento tour.
MUSEUMS
California Military Museum 1115 Second
Street (916) 442-2883 An interpretive museum with
authentic clothing, equipment and
stories from our nation's rich military past.
California State Railroad Museum 111 I
Street (916) 445-6645 The largest interpretive railroad museum
in the nation with exhibits and activities for the whole family. See beautifully
restored locomotives and cars from the 1860s to the 1960s.
Crocker Art Museum Third and
O Street (916) 264-5423 Featuring Victorian architecture, Early
California painting collections, Old Master drawings and colorful
contemporary California art.
Discovery Museum 101 I Street (916)
264-7057 A public service, educational institution established
to foster the wonder and curiosity in us all. Explore, experience
and examine. Learning has never been more fun.
Schoolhouse Museum Front and L Street
(916) 483-8818 An authentic one-room schoolhouse.
Spectacular Russian Dinosaur Exhibition
1126 Second Street 888-264-8763 World's largest, authentic, traveling
dinosaur exhibition, including the 20 foot Saurolophus and the 16 foot
Tyrannosaurus. Open to the public. Call to schedule groups.
Sutter's Fort 2710 L Street
(916) 445-4422 Sacramento's earliest settlement was founded in 1839.
Self guided audio tours are available.
Towe Ford Museum 2200 Front Street
(916) 442-6802 Featuring exhibits of the American Automobile.
Wells Fargo Museum Corner of Second
and J Streets (916) 440-4263 Stagecoaches, gold, mining, business,
commerce are all colorfully interpreted for visitors. ATM, W.A.
