Old Sacramento Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Old Sacramento. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour

• Old Sacramento: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

• Sacramento Scavenger Hunt Adventure

• Old Sacramento Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game

There’s no entry fee for Old Sacramento, the California capital’s riverside historic district. Walk along the Gold Rush-era streets for free, or book paid activities such as carriage rides, riverboat cruises, and guided tours. Self-guided audio tours of Old Sacramento start as low as US$10, while guided historical tours cost US$30 and more.

Yes, Old Sacramento is definitely worth visiting, as it's a National Historic Landmark and has tons to see and do. Soak up the waterfront scenery on a riverboat cruise, choose from dozens of shops and restaurants, or get a glimpse of the Gold Rush while exploring local museums and historic buildings. For local insights and the best context behind Old Sacramento's 19th-century beginnings, visit on a guided tour.

Per one customer who booked the Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour, "What a great afternoon! We had a wonderful time with Heather exploring Old Town Sacramento and tasting delicious foods. Heather's knowledge of Old Town's history and culture was paired with wonderful food samples from local eateries. We felt like we were with an old friend as Heather shared recommendations for shopping in Old Town, dinner reservations and suggestions for other places to visit while in CA. We thought our tour was an excellent value and highly recommend it!"

Old Sacramento was the first neighborhood founded in the Californian capital. Dating back to the Gold Rush era of the mid-1850s, it became a lively commercial district along the Sacramento River. Today, the colorful neighborhood is known for its unique museums, locally-owned boutiques, and 53 registered historic buildings in Old Sacramento State Historic Park.

The California State Railroad Museum displays old locomotives—some dating back as far as the 1860s—and explains the role of steam travel in shaping California’s history. History buffs will also enjoy the Sacramento History Museum devoted to California’s “Living History.” Catch eclectic temporary exhibits on lowrider culture or women’s tattoos.

Some quirky local establishments include Fanny Anne’s Saloon, a vintage burger-and-beer joint that’s been around since 1973, and Munchies Salt Water Taffy, a family-owned candy business that has given Old Sacramento its sugar fix since 1988. There’s also the Firehouse Restaurant, a fine dining restaurant housed in a historic firehouse from the mid-1850s.

Yes, Old Sacramento State Historic Park is restricted to pedestrians. The waterfront district feels tailor-made for meandering on foot, although much of the neighborhood is uneven or cobblestoned. If your legs tire, hop on a horse-drawn carriage ride, sightseeing trolley, or tuk-tuk tour.

While June to August is the busiest time of year for tourism in Old Sacramento, early fall (roughly September through early November) is an ideal time to visit. You’ll experience milder but still sunny daytime temperatures. December is another excellent choice, as the waterfront neighborhood comes alive with Christmas festivities.

Consider a riverboat cruise. Although a typical sightseeing cruise usually lasts about an hour, you'll find various options. You’ll ride right by the Delta King, a historic riverboat now permanently docked as a restaurant and hotel, and pass under I Street and Tower bridges. You can also find pedal-powered boats and paddleboards.

Yes. Old Sacramento is a great option for families. Some kid-friendly standouts include the Old Sacramento School, a traditional one-room schoolhouse museum that shows kids how education looked in the 19th century, and the special “Gold Fever!” gold rush-themed interactive tour and game at the Sacramento History Museum.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Old Sacramento. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in California:

• Alcatraz

• Muir Woods

• Golden Gate Bridge

• USS Midway Museum

• San Francisco Bay

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in California.