Explore Sacramento's Historic Heart, Old Sacramento

Get a taste of Gold Rush times along the city riverfront.

Sample saltwater taffy, tap your toes to jazz, take a vintage photo, or just watch the Sacramento River roll by at Sacramento’s Old Town . The refurbished waterfront district, a 28-acre State Historic Park and National Registered Landmark that captures the flavor of the Gold Rush era, is filled with quaint boutiques, galleries, and places to grab a quick bite or settle in for a fancy meal. Voted the best place for a first date, Old Sarcramento has plenty of places to have fun and feel romantic, like dinner aboard the historic Delta King riverboat.

Museums for everyone and every interest abound, from charmingly intimate ones, like the recreated one-room Old Schoolhouse Museum, to sprawling exhibits, like the fascinating California State Railway Museum. For a personal touch, learn historic tidbits from volunteers dressed in period costumes who often stroll the waterfront boardwalk. As if that's not enough, Old Sacramento offers a year-round  calendar of special events, including an annual jazz festival that's one of the largest in the world.