When glittering nuggets and veins of gold were discovered in the Sierra Foothills in 1849, a massive tide of humankind, hell-bent on finding their fortune, raced as fast as they could to the Gold Country. Sailing as far as they could up from San Francisco Bay east on the Sacramento River, the gold-hungry pioneers pulled up at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers, the furthest point they could go in their sailing ships. A town sprang up almost overnight, with many buildings constructed out of leftover ships timbers and sails. Sacramento was born.
Today, on the sycamore-shaded banks of the Sacramento River, you can get a sense of those raucous early years in renovated Old Sacramento, now a 28-acre National Historic Landmark. Check out the different ways to explore this fascinating area.
Tours of Old Sacramento
Old Sacramento offers a rich array of tours that bring the city’s Gold Rush history to life. One of the most popular ways to explore the district is through guided walking tours led by the Sacramento History Museum, where storytellers in period costume share accounts of fortune seekers, riverfront commerce, and the city’s early challenges with flooding. These walks often include access to historic structures and artifacts that highlight Sacramento’s emergence as a major Western hub. For a more leisurely experience, glide through Old Sac in style on a carriage ride.
For a deeper dive (literally), visitors can join one of the renowned Underground Tours—also available in Spanish—which reveal the original 19th-century storefronts and passageways buried beneath today’s raised streets. Expert guides explain how engineers lifted the city in the 1860s and 1870s, offering a rare look into the engineering feats and day-to-day life of early residents.
Those craving thrills can embark on the Ghost Tour, held seasonally, where costumed guides recount eerie tales and legends said to haunt the waterfront. Meanwhile, families and railroad enthusiasts can climb aboard the Sacramento Southern Railroad for a scenic, narrated excursion along the river, operated by the California State Railroad Museum.
Museums in Old Sacramento
Old Sacramento and its surrounding waterfront are home to several standout museums that showcase California’s rich past. The California State Railroad Museum, one of the nation’s premier railroad museums, features beautifully restored locomotives and immersive exhibits on how the transcontinental railroad transformed the West. Nearby, the aforementioned Sacramento History Museum highlights the region’s Gold Rush origins, printing history, and early city life through hands-on displays and living-history programs.
Adjacent to the district, the Crocker Art Museum—the oldest public art museum in the Western United States—offers an impressive collection ranging from California art to international works, rounding out the area’s cultural offerings.
On-the-River Experiences in Old Sacramento
A restored—and permanently docked—riverboat, the Delta King invites you on board for brunch, dinner, and even an overnight stay. If you prefer a more mobile experience (minus the meals and lodging), hop aboard for a scenic one-hour City Experiences cruise, or book a seat on Sac Brew Boat, which offers 1.5-hour BYOB cruises for six to 18 passengers at a time.