Welcome to Old Sacramento
Experience a one of a kind visit to Old Sacramento. The unique 28-acre National Historic Landmark District and State Historic Park is located along the beautiful Sacramento River. Bustling with activity, the district is alive with shopping, dining, entertainment, historical attractions and world-renowned museums set within the time of the California Gold Rush and the Transcontinental Railroad.
Experience History
Relive the California Gold Rush and discover Sacramento's rich history
In 1839 John Sutter arrived on the shore of the American River near its confluence with the Sacramento River. With the promise of a Mexican land grant, Sutter and his landing party established Sutter's Fort. As the settlement grew and became permanent, it attracted other businessmen looking for opportunities. Sutter and the people he attracted created a commercial center in the area, but it was the Gold Rush in 1848 that created the City of Sacramento.When gold was discovered in the nearby foothills by James Marshall, local merchant Sam Brannan rushed to open a store near the Sacramento River to take advantage of the convenient waterfront location. What was then called Sutter's Embarcadero was soon known as the City of Sacramento. The city rapidly grew into a trading center for miners outfitting themselves for the gold fields.
Early Sacramento's waterfront location was prime for commercial success, but was prone to severe flooding. The city also fell victim to repeated fires engulfing its hastily constructed buildings composed mainly of wood and canvas. In 1850 the new city experienced its first devastating flood and in 1852 the city was again wiped out by high water. It was apparent that drastic measures would have to be taken if it was to be saved.
In 1853 a mammoth project was proposed to raise the city above the flood level. The ambitious and expensive proposal was not fully accepted until another devastating flood swept through the city in 1862. Within a few years, thousands of cubic yards of earth were brought in on wagons and the daring scheme to raise the street level began. The original street level can be seen throughout Old Sacramento under the boardwalks and in basements.
The center of the commercial district gradually moved east and the original part of the city on Sutter's Embarcadero became known as the worst skid row west of Chicago. Reformers, ministers, politicians and others spoke out against conditions in this part of the city, but little was done to change the basic conditions.
In the mid-1960's, a plan was set forth to redevelop the area and through it, the first historic district in the West was created. Today, with 53 historic buildings, Old Sacramento has more buildings of historic value condensed into its 28 acres than most areas of similar size in the west. Registered as a National and California Historic Landmark, the properties in the district are primarily owned by private owners, with individual businesses leasing shops and offices. The area has flourished and is once again a thriving commercial trade center.
Arts and Culture
Crocker Art Museum
The Museum's exhibitions include works from the permanent collection as well as a diverse schedule of approximately 20 changing exhibitions per year. The Crocker's permanent collection includes more than 14,000 works of art, boasting one of the state's premier collections of California art, a world-renowned collection of Master Drawings , and rapidly growing Asian art and International Ceramics collections. You can view works from our collection on Digital Crocker .
The Crocker hosts changing exhibitions that represent a diverse range of media, time periods and cultures. Find a listing of current and upcoming changing exhibitions.
Discovery Museum
Who we are: The Discovery Museum of Sacramento is a Family-Focused educational institution dedicated to enriching the lives of local residents and visitors to the Sacramento region by encouraging the exploration of history, science, and space.
Discovery Space Center
As a public non-profit organization, the Science & Space Center strives to bring the excitement of scientific discovery to students, families, and all members of our community. Each exhibit features interactive, hands-on activities and search-and-find guides based on state science standards.Visit today: Discover, learn, and enjoy!
Current Exhibits
The Mobile Discovery Center is Coming!!
Friday, February 5th
Click on the truck for more information
January 16, 2010 - August 26, 2010
Gee Whiz Geology : An Exhibit About Rocks, Fossils and Dinosaurs
What's Happening This Weekend
12th Annual Sacramento
Museum Day
February 6th, 2010
Click here to learn more from Cosmos,
the Official representative of Museum Day
February 7, 2010
12:30pm to 3:00pm
Dinosaur Art
Learn all about dinosaurs and how they were discovered in the Gee Whiz Geology exhibit. Role-play as you dress up as a famous paleontologist and “find” artifacts. Show off your art skills in prehistoric fashion by designing a Dinosaur Mural to take home. Remember to bring a camera for unforgettable photos in the dinosaur petting zoo!
Visit live animals in the Nature Discovery Hall
Birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects are here waiting to help you learn about their fascinating lives and habitats. All year: 12:00pm and 2:00pm on Saturday and Sunday; July and August: 2:00pm Monday-Friday .
Visit the Planetarium !
Learn about the local night sky in Northern California's only public planetarium. 20-minute star shows introduce you to our celestial neighborhood.*
All year: 1:00pm and 3:00pm Saturday and Sunday July and August: 3:00pm Monday-Friday .
*Visitors must be 4 years old or older, please.
Family craft fun
The Science & Space Center offers make and take crafts for children, ten years old and under, every Saturday and Sunday. These crafts are, suitable for the entire family to work on together. All year: 12:30pm to 3:00pm Saturday and Sunday.
Sacramento History Museum
Old Sacramento is a living historic district. The Historic Old Sacramento Foundation's mission is to convey the importance of historic Sacramento...
[ Click for Details ]
Sacramento City: California's Gold Rush Legacy , a fascinating and entertaining tour hosted by one of Sacramento's colorful characters from the past ...
[ Click for Details ]
Join us for an Old Sacramento tradition presented by the Old Sacramento Living History Program. Walk the streets of Old Sacramento on a journey ...
[ Click for Details ]
Visitors to the Sacramento History Museum have a unique opportunity to delve into multiple aspects of the rich and diverse history of the Sacramento region. By exploring both permanent and temporary exhibitions visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the development of Sacramento City and County, and its unique place in the history of California and the nation.
Upon entering the museum the first exhibition visitors will view is currently under construction and scheduled to open July 2009. The exhibit, Gold, Greed and Speculation: The Beginnings of Sacramento City provides an overview of the first half century of the city's history. Also on the first floor is the Agricultural Gallery which tells the story of the region's contribution as one of the world's richest agricultural areas, producing wheat, rice and an array of fruits and vegetables. The third floor Community Gallery provides a chronological narrative of the region and the people that have shaped its past and future.
Special short term exhibits highlight selected periods of time, events, people or collections that interpret in greater depth the stories of the region. Both permanent and short term exhibitions will provide visitors the opportunity to explore the origins of their community and to discover the ways that history plays an active role in how we live our lives.
California State Railroad Museum |
|
River Otter Taxi Company |
|
Discovery Museum |
|
California State Capitol Tours |
|
Sutter's Fort |
|
Governor's Mansion Tours |
|
Crocker Art Museum |
|
Sacramento Zoo |
|
Hard Rock CafÉ |
|
Downtown Plaza |
|
Fairytale Town |
|
Towe Auto Museum |
|
Thunder Valley Casino |
|
Sacramento River Train |
|
Sutter Gold Mine Tours |
|
Leland Stanford State Historic Park |
|
McKinley Park |
|
William Land Park Golf Coarse |
|
K-Street Mall |
|
California State Fair |
|
Sacramento Kings |
|
Raging Waters |
|
Hornblower Cruises |
