Sacramento: 2 days, best use of that time?
Apr 15th, 2015, 10:56 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sacramento: 2 days, best use of that time?
Hi folks, I have about 2 days in Sacramento, and I'd like some suggestions on attractions and food. I'm getting mixed impressions from online reviews and some relatives who visited years ago so I'd like to hear some more "local" input.
I don't care for cheesy (in a bad way) or fake historical attractions in general (like disney-fied "old towns"). I'm not into shopping unless there are some very unique boutiques. I like just about any kind of local food, especially salads, ethnic, small plates. I'm not much of a wine guru but I do enjoy cocktails and local breweries. Any suggestions regarding edibles are more than welcome
I do enjoy interesting museums, history, and architecture, though. I like art, although I can take or leave most modern art. I like (genuine preserved) historical neighborhoods/shopping districts.
The only thing on my "for sure" list so far is the California State railroad museum. Possibly dorky, but I have a soft spot for train museums. For those of you that have been, how much time should I plan for going through it?
I will have my bike: any good multipurpose trails to explore? Any favorite parks to laze about in?
Is Sutters Fort worth an afternoon? Are there any places you would consider more interesting? Any outings/activities you consider unique to Sacramento? The time I have here is sort of downtime, and I don't want to actually go outside of the city. So no day trips, please.
Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks!
I don't care for cheesy (in a bad way) or fake historical attractions in general (like disney-fied "old towns"). I'm not into shopping unless there are some very unique boutiques. I like just about any kind of local food, especially salads, ethnic, small plates. I'm not much of a wine guru but I do enjoy cocktails and local breweries. Any suggestions regarding edibles are more than welcome
I do enjoy interesting museums, history, and architecture, though. I like art, although I can take or leave most modern art. I like (genuine preserved) historical neighborhoods/shopping districts.
The only thing on my "for sure" list so far is the California State railroad museum. Possibly dorky, but I have a soft spot for train museums. For those of you that have been, how much time should I plan for going through it?
I will have my bike: any good multipurpose trails to explore? Any favorite parks to laze about in?
Is Sutters Fort worth an afternoon? Are there any places you would consider more interesting? Any outings/activities you consider unique to Sacramento? The time I have here is sort of downtime, and I don't want to actually go outside of the city. So no day trips, please.
Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks!
Apr 16th, 2015, 07:20 AM
#3
The HI Sacramento is my favorite HI Hostel in the whole world. I've been in many. Are you driving or coming in on the Coast Starlight with the bike in a box?
I've been to the CA Railroad Museum several times. Usually I/we spend 2-3 hours. The museum is part of Old Sacramento which has many restaurants (some expensive).
For breakfast if you choose not to make your own at the hostel, walk east on H street to 12th and turn right. Halfway to I street you will find Jim Denny's (closed Mon & Tue). Their famous breakfast is called hubcap with spokes which is a huge pancake with slices of bacon with an egg in the middle. Their hash browns are good too. Last time I was in SAC (on a Monday) I hiked down past the Capitol to the Fox & Goose for my breakfast.
I took the California Zephyr out 3/16 at 11AM.
Many people ride bikes on a trail along the American River. I've heard that they have a lot of homeless people in that area so be careful.
I've been to the CA Railroad Museum several times. Usually I/we spend 2-3 hours. The museum is part of Old Sacramento which has many restaurants (some expensive).
For breakfast if you choose not to make your own at the hostel, walk east on H street to 12th and turn right. Halfway to I street you will find Jim Denny's (closed Mon & Tue). Their famous breakfast is called hubcap with spokes which is a huge pancake with slices of bacon with an egg in the middle. Their hash browns are good too. Last time I was in SAC (on a Monday) I hiked down past the Capitol to the Fox & Goose for my breakfast.
I took the California Zephyr out 3/16 at 11AM.
Many people ride bikes on a trail along the American River. I've heard that they have a lot of homeless people in that area so be careful.
Apr 16th, 2015, 11:03 AM
#5
Lol. I thought HI was Holiday Inn! Plan to spend at least 2 hours at the Railroad Museum. Old Sac is touristy, but fun. Fun shopping. Ten 22 is a nice place to eat in Old Sac. Mid town though, is hip with all kinds of cuisine, boutiques.
Do a docent tour of the State Capitol. You will learn some state history and about the architecture of the building. I found it very interesting. I have also taken a tour of the park surrounding the Capitol and learned the history of the trees. Like sf7307, I think Sutter's Fort is a snooze. 1 hour would be my limit.
Should a GTG be planned?
Do a docent tour of the State Capitol. You will learn some state history and about the architecture of the building. I found it very interesting. I have also taken a tour of the park surrounding the Capitol and learned the history of the trees. Like sf7307, I think Sutter's Fort is a snooze. 1 hour would be my limit.
Should a GTG be planned?
Apr 16th, 2015, 11:59 AM
#6
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sacramento is nice, have relatives there, nice bike path along the American River, we stayed last time with friends who had a townhouse on the river.
I like Gold Country, and really liked Colombia much better than Sutter's Fort, they have panning for gold, stagecoach rides, etc. during the season. There are also several nice winery regions east of Sacramento such as the Amador county foothill wineries and a couple of others.
I like Gold Country, and really liked Colombia much better than Sutter's Fort, they have panning for gold, stagecoach rides, etc. during the season. There are also several nice winery regions east of Sacramento such as the Amador county foothill wineries and a couple of others.
Apr 16th, 2015, 12:09 PM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, all, very helpful! Tomfuller- good to hear that about the hostel, it's the reason I decided to relax in Sacramento for an extra night, thought it looked intriguing. Driving- I tried to figure out trains, because I had a blast last time I rode Coast Starlight, but about half the trip is all about the hiking and going to the parks I've never gotten to stop at, so it became too complicated sadly. Just going to have to continue to live vicariously through your trip report lol.
Going to give Sutters a miss and take a tour of the state Capitol. Do I need to schedule that ahead of time, or is walk-in workable?
Going to give Sutters a miss and take a tour of the state Capitol. Do I need to schedule that ahead of time, or is walk-in workable?
Apr 16th, 2015, 12:16 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ah, interesting. I knew there was a replica at the fort, hadn't realized the original was still around. Anyway- thanks Jamie, I'm planning to visit Columbia enroute to Yosemite, so glad to know you enjoyed it!
Apr 16th, 2015, 01:32 PM
#10
The story of the HI Sacramento: It is the second oldest Victorian mansion in the city. The oldest is the Governor's mansion. Edmund Brown (Jerry's father) and Ronald Reagan were the last two to live there.
The HI hostel has been moved at least twice by the city. The first time I stayed in it it was on the SE corner of 9th & H.
It is now back to within 50 feet of where it started on the NW corner of 10th & H across the street from City Hall.
They do charge ($5/day?) to park in their lot. There is free on street parking overnight.
There is a self guided tree tour on the Capitol grounds. You can get a pamphlet inside the Capitol with a key to the numbered trees.
When you go upstairs with your luggage, please pick it up rather than dragging on the carpeted steps.
Label any food with your name and departure date on the shelves and in the refrigerator - no food upstairs!
The HI hostel has been moved at least twice by the city. The first time I stayed in it it was on the SE corner of 9th & H.
It is now back to within 50 feet of where it started on the NW corner of 10th & H across the street from City Hall.
They do charge ($5/day?) to park in their lot. There is free on street parking overnight.
There is a self guided tree tour on the Capitol grounds. You can get a pamphlet inside the Capitol with a key to the numbered trees.
When you go upstairs with your luggage, please pick it up rather than dragging on the carpeted steps.
Label any food with your name and departure date on the shelves and in the refrigerator - no food upstairs!
Apr 16th, 2015, 03:32 PM
#12
The Leland Stanford mansion is also within walking distance.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=489
I don't know if they still give tours of the old Governors mansion or not (also on H street).
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=489
I don't know if they still give tours of the old Governors mansion or not (also on H street).
Apr 19th, 2015, 09:52 AM
#13
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I liked Old Town Sacto when I was there years ago... but I know that if I were a bicycle person, in Sacramento, I would just ride around various neighborhoods looking at the impressive boulevards and houses which line them.
I don't think you need to have a detailed itinerary laid-out in advance in order to get the most out of Sacramento on your bicycle.
I don't think you need to have a detailed itinerary laid-out in advance in order to get the most out of Sacramento on your bicycle.
Apr 20th, 2015, 08:50 AM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nice bike ride here....you can ride out to Folsom Lake and back in a day.
http://www.traillink.com/trail/ameri...-trail%29.aspx
Love the Crocker...especially the old section. Hard to believe someone lived there years ago. Did a great job on the new section, tho.
http://www.traillink.com/trail/ameri...-trail%29.aspx
Love the Crocker...especially the old section. Hard to believe someone lived there years ago. Did a great job on the new section, tho.
Apr 20th, 2015, 11:00 AM
#16
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another area in Sacramento to ride your bike is in the "Fabulous Forties" area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Sa...to,_California
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Sa...to,_California
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
questionmotives
United States
11
Apr 13th, 2004 03:28 PM
