ORIENTATION

Sacramento is 383 mi (616 km) north of Los Angeles and 90 mi (144 km) northeast of San Fransisco and Oakland; it is adjacent to the famous Napa Wine Valley.

Both the Sacramento and American rivers run through the city and eventually join in the downtown core, providing the area with over 1,000 mi (1609 km) of waterways. In addition, the city has over 2,000 acres of parks and 540 acres of golf courses. The city is less than an hours drive from the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

HISTORY

Sacramento is rich with a history that is significant not only to the city, but to the entire state of California. The events that helped form and create Sacramento played a large part in the formation of California and its incorporation into the United States of America.

When Johann Augustus Sutter settled at the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers in 1839 Mexico granted him over 48,000 acres of land. Mexico had unknowingly handed over a fortune. In 1848 gold was discovered by James Marshall just 30 mi (48 km) from Sacramento in Coloma.

	Sutter's Fort in Sacramento

Many experts believe that one of the largest human-migrations in history was caused by the Gold Rush. California became an international destination for those looking to strike it rich. At the same time, Mexico ceded the entire state over to America, following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexico-American War. The influx of people quickly populated the land and in 1850 California became an official member in the Union of States. Sacramento was named the capital of California just four years later.

Sacramento is also famous for being the final destination on the trail of the Pony Express that delivered mail from St. Joseph, Missouri on horseback. 100 riders and over 400 horses were needed to keep mail moving along the 1966 mi (3164 km) long trail. The service ran from early 1860 to late 1861 when the first telegram was successfully sent. It is speculated that the Pony Express is one of the key reasons that California, which was geographically isolated at the time, remained part of the Union of States. California proved to the rest of the country that the route through the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range was accessible year around.

Sacramento is California's oldest incorporated city and one of the country's fastest growing regions. Being home to the state legislature and the daily politicking that operates California, Sacramento has secured its place as a critical part of the history and future of the state.

Sacramento's Mediterranean climate results in hot and dry summers and winters that are cool and occasionally wet. In the summer (May through Sept.), daily temperatures average above 80 F (26 C), and in the winter (Nov. through Mar.), visitors can expect temperatures to be around 55 F (13 C). Those enjoying Sacramento in the summer months are advised to protect themselves from the sun while outdoors.

TRANSPORTATION

Getting to and leaving Sacramento is a fairly simple affair thanks to two airports, a national train station and highways I-80 and I-5. The Sacramento International Airport, located just 12 mi (19 km) from downtown, has daily flights with most major airlines, while the Sacramento Executive Airport, a light-aircraft airport, is home to private jets available for chartering. The Amtrak train station offers direct train trips to San Fransisco and Oakland each day as well as access to over 500 cities in the United States.

While staying in Sacramento there are several services making sure that transportation is not a problem. Car rentals are available through several major companies at key locations around the city and there over 20 major taxi/cab businesses in the area. The River Taxi ferries passengers up and down the river to four key spots: Old Sacramento, the Virgin Street Marina, the Riverview Marina and the River Bank Marina. The city has an extensive regional transit system comprised of the Light Rail Train, that travels across the city from the early morning until late at night, and buses that travel to most areas in the Sacramanto Valley. For those who would like to enjoy the parks and pathways, bike rentals are also available.

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

Historical Sites and Museums
Given that Sacramento is the capital of California and has rich history that it strongly embraces, it is no surprise that there are over 17 museums in the area. Visitors have the chance to experience and be educated on a variety of topics that range from aviation, transportation and the military to the Gold Rush.

For visitors looking to take a step back in time and experience the history of Sacramento a good place to start is in the historic Old Town district. This 28-acre State Historic Park is located riverside downtown and is a completely restored section of the original, circa Gold Rush, Sacramento. One of the two Wells Fargo Museums in Sacramento is in the area as well as other museums, shops, restaurants and plenty of entertainment.

	Horse-drawn carriages in Old Sacramento Photo Coutesy: Sacramento CVB

A must see for art lovers is the Crocker Art Museum. It is the oldest continually-operated arts museum in the western United States, showcasing work spanning from the 15th century to contemporary periods.

Sacramento is home to several state museums, including the California Military Museum, which has a collection of over 30,000 pieces; the State Capitol Museum, that presents multiple exhibits and films on California; the State Indian Museum, where visitors can learn the history of the local Indian tribes; and the State Railroad Museum, which has 46 exhibits and 21 restored trains.

Car lovers can indulge at the Towe Auto Museum's several exhibits and over 150 classic and antique cars. For a more hands-on experience, visitors of all ages can learn about the solar system, space exploration and natural history at the Discovery Museum Science Space Center and Challenger Learning Center.

Other museums in the Sacramento area include the Folsom History Museum, the Folsom Prison Museum, the McClellan Aviation Museum, and the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts.

Wineries and Vineyards
Wine drinkers have made it a habit to visit the Napa Valley when in the area, but some of California's best wines also come from the wineries and vineyards in the Sacramento area.

A short drive in any direction from downtown will present an opportunity for tours, tastings and the purchasing of wine. The Lodi Region, just 12 mi (19 km) south of Sacramento and one of California's oldest wine regions, is home to several wineries like Woodbridge, where guests enjoy tours of vineyards and exclusive tastings of rare wines.

	Californian Vineyard

Other surrounding wineries include the Boeger Winery, which has a variety of soils and a landscape that allows them to produce 30 different varietals; the Frasinetti's Winery and Restaurant, which has operated for over a 100 years; and the family-owned Ironstone Vineyards, which has multiple gardens, a history museum, a jewelery shop, a tasting room and a restauant.

Family Attractions
Whether looking for outdoor activities under the Californian sun or some entertainment indoors the Sacramento area has many attractions suitable for all ages.

Six Flags Marine World is a water park with a combination of both thrilling and relaxing rides. The park, located just outside of Sacramento, has a restaurant, a wave pool, a tubing river, an interactive water play area and six-story racing slides.

With two 18-hole courses, the Scandia Family Fun Center in Fairfield is perfect for the miniature golf lover. The center also has an arcade, bumper boats, race cars and batting cages. A must-see for animal lovers is the Sacramento Zoo. Admission to the zoo includes viewing access to over 400 exotic animals, a portion of which are endangered or threatened.

Arts
Sacramento presents year-around performances in both music and theater. The Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra has a fall season while the Broadway Series brings some of theater's biggest shows to town all year long.

Music fans will want to check out the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society which performs the second Sunday of each month and hosts the renowned Sacramento Jazz Jubilee each May. Fans of live theater can enjoy performances by the Sacramento Theater Company and the Sacramento Ballet.

The Exploding Head Gallery offers visitors a chance to see contemporary fine art and ceramics by over 20 artists with exhibits that rotate monthly. Witherell's has a unique gallery of antique furniture, paintings and weapons.

Sacramento has the weather, attractions, hospitality, and environment that make it a hidden gem among vacationing locations in California.