A Visit to California's Capital City

The CA state capital lies in the Central Valley at the junction of the American and Sacramento Rivers.

When business called me to Sacramento a number of years ago, I was delighted as it was one of our American cities that I had not yet had the pleasure of visiting. It proved to be a great locale for a weekend meeting and I was fortunate in having some free time to explore. Sacramento’s an historic city and it began with John Sutter's establishment of Sutter's Fort in 1839, which transformed into the City of Sacramento in 1849 following the gold discovery at nearby Sutter's Mill. It became California's permanent capital in 1854 and a vital transportation hub thereafter as the western terminus for the Pony Express and the first transcontinental railroad. The city has since grown into a major metropolitan area and a center for agriculture with a well-preserved historic district. 

United domestic First Class offers wider, recliner-type seats with more legroom than Economy Class.

This trip started early on a Friday evening in mid May from the Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) with a United Airlines non-stop flight to the Denver International Airport (DEN).  The carrier was operating a Boeing 737-800 on the route that day. I took my favorite seat 2B in the forward cabin where the seats were spread across four rows, each in a 2x2 configuration. Soon after takeoff, flight attendants took cocktail orders and delivered a ramekin of warmed mixed nuts before setting the trays with linen and flatware. I had pre-ordered the Four Cheese Skillet Burger with Caramelized Onion and Jalapeño with a dish of Crinkle-Cut Fries, which was served with a small Garden Salad and a slice of Salted Caramel Cheesecake. My dinner was very good. Several hours later, we touched down in Denver after which I boarded my connecting flight to Sacramento. This Boeing 737-900 had an extra row of four seats in the First Class cabin and the flight attendants were pleasant and attentive. Since it departed after 7:00 PM and was less than three hours in duration, a snack service was offered up front, which proved to be more than sufficient after the dinner I enjoyed earlier.

Although it got somewhat crowded during peak hours, the Regency Club Lounge was a nice refuge.

The Hyatt Regency Sacramento Hotel was my home for the next two nights and after landing around 9 o'clock in the evening, it was a short 20-minute cab ride to the hotel. This 4-star downtown property features 505 rooms and suites and, at 31 stories tall, is the third highest building in the city. I had reserved a Regency Club King-Bedded Room that included a relaxing chaise, a workstation, a large shower, and views of the Sacramento skyline. It was very well appointed and this room type also provided exclusive access to the Regency Club Lounge on the twelfth floor. Lounge access included complimentary breakfast, all-day snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as an evening reception with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. The club lounge also featured a very nice private outdoor terrace offering both city and Capitol views. All things considered, the Hyatt proved to be an excellent home away from home during my stay in Sacramento.

The California State Capitol building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

As an amateur student of American history, Sacramento offered a plethora of attractions. At the top of my “must see” list after business concluded was the California State Capitol, which was right on the hotel's doorstep. It serves as the seat of the state’s government and also houses the California State Capitol Museum. The complex offered a free, living museum experience where I could explore the historic State Capitol Building still housing the executive and legislative branches of government. The museum featured exhibits related to California history and allowed us to tour the historic rooms and chambers where decisions were made by state leaders. The building was completed between 1861 and 1874. Its design is modeled after the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., and features a prominent portico, Corinthian columns, and a grand dome. Afterwards, I strolled through the surrounding and picturesque Capitol Park. One of the largest in the nation, this 40-acre, historic park is highlighted by diverse flora, and a number of monuments, and memorials related to California’s rich history.

The lights of the Old Sacramento Waterfront are reflected in the river and glisten in the setting sun,

A short  20-minute walk from the hotel took me to the Old Sacramento Waterfront. This historic district serves as a living tribute to California's early Gold Rush days. The area features historic buildings and architectural styles that reflect its past as a center for business and commerce and offers a unique atmosphere with its cobblestone streets, boardwalks and historic buildings. The 28-acre Historic Landmark District is chock full of unique shops, any number of which of which offer both local items and international imports for sale. Many restaurants and cafés dot the streets providing wonderful river views complete with paddle wheelers taking tourists for leisurely cruises. I found the Old Sacramento Waterfront Ito be a lively destination on the Sacramento River and I also had occasion to visit one of the most prominent museums located therein. 

The first locomotive purchased by the Southern Pacific Railroad is on static display at the museum.

The California State Railroad Museum showcases a large collection of beautifully restored steam locomotives and railcars, some dating back to the 1860s. It also houses America’s most comprehensive collection of toy and model trains, offering a unique glimpse into their evolution. I liked the walk-through experience of stepping inside the Pullman-style sleeping and dining cars to get a feel for what it might have been like to travel in bygone days. The museum also offered a look into the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad and the stories of the Chinese workers who helped to build it. Some exhibits covered the pivotal role railroads played in shaping California's development and its economy. The California State Railroad Museum also hosts story times, school programs, and a scavenger hunt for youngsters, making it a great destination for families. And, while I was unable to enjoy it, on weekends from April through September, visitors can take a ride on an authentic steam locomotive along the tracks in Old Sacramento. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the museum and would highly recommend doing so next time you find yourself in that capital city.

The museum was created to house art acquired by the Crocker family on a European trip in the 1870s.

Before heading home, I scheduled a brief visit to the Crocker Art Museum, the oldest in the Western United States. The museum was established in 1885 and houses a diverse collection of artworks spanning centuries, continents, and cultures. Their holdings include Californian art from the Gold Rush era to the present day, European paintings and master drawings are also on display and the institution houses one of the largest international ceramics collections in the US, as well as those of Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The mission of the Crocker Art Museum is to promote an awareness of and enthusiasm for human experience through art while enriching the intellectual and cultural life of the communities it serves. I could only spare about an hour there, but it was well spent exploring the galleries and appreciating the diverse range of art on display. 

From its cobblestone streets to its historic buildings and its superb museums, every corner of Sacramento seemed to hold stories of the past. I would return without hesitation.

Until next time…safe travels.