Go to one of the Gold Rush towns in the near-by area--beautiful scenery, some interesting shopping and browsing if you get as far as Grass Valley and/or Nevada City (very close to each other)

Most of the Gold Rush cities are northEAST of sacramento.

While this destination is south of town, how about visiting the historic town of Locke, located in the Delta? It has some interesting Chinese heritage, and it's fun to eat at Al's. Look at www.locketown.com. Directions: Take Hwy 5 South, exit at Twin Cities Road, follow direction to Walnut Grove.

There's old town Sacramento right in town.

Utahtea

I am curious why you specify Northwest of Sacramento? There isn't much NW - Woodland, some WIDE open farm land and farm labor camps.

The majority of the Gold rush Towns are east and southeast of Sacramento. The main one NE is Nevada City. But E/SE are Coloma, Placerville, Sutter Creek. Amador City, Jackson, etc etc.

But if you are here for only 1.5 days do you really need to leave town at all? There is plenty to do to fill a couple of days -- Old Sacramento, River boat trips, the Capitol, Crocker Museum, lots of really good restaurants, Folsom Lake or Lake Natoma, Sutter street old town section of Folsom, etc.