Things to Do in Sacramento and the Gold Country
The state capital on its rivers, and the foothill towns of the Gold Rush.
See top-rated activities »About Sacramento and Gold Country
Sacramento grew up where the American River meets the Sacramento River, and in 1848 and 1849 it became the supply town for the Gold Rush. Old Sacramento, the riverfront district, keeps wooden sidewalks and brick buildings from that era, along with the Delta King, a 1920s riverboat that now operates as a hotel. The California State Railroad Museum, also in Old Sacramento, is one of the best railroad museums in the country, with restored locomotives and cars, and the city's Tower Bridge, painted gold, crosses the river nearby.
Downtown, the domed California State Capitol has restored historic offices and a large park of trees from around the world. Sutter's Fort, a reconstructed adobe trading post, tells the story of the settlement that began the city, and the Crocker Art Museum combines a Victorian mansion with a modern wing. Sacramento calls itself America's farm-to-fork capital, and its restaurants and summer farmers markets draw on the farms of the Central Valley around it.
To the east, Highway 49 strings together the Gold Country foothill towns. At Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, James Marshall found gold at Sutter's Mill in January 1848, and you can still pan for flakes in the river. Placerville, Auburn, Nevada City and Grass Valley keep Gold Rush main streets, and the Empire Mine State Historic Park shows a hard-rock mine that worked for a century. Columbia State Historic Park, farther south, is a whole preserved town with stagecoach rides. Amador County, in the middle of it all, is known for old-vine zinfandel and small family wineries, and the route makes a natural Northern California road trip on the way up to Lake Tahoe or Yosemite.
Don’t Miss
Gold Rush-era buildings, shops, river cruises and the Delta King riverboat hotel.
Restored locomotives and railcars in a large museum at the start of the first transcontinental railroad.
The domed capitol, with restored historic offices, exhibits and free tours.
A reconstructed 1840s fort and trading post with living history days.
The site of the 1848 gold discovery, with a replica sawmill, gold panning and riverside trails.
One of the richest hard-rock gold mines in California, with the owner's cottage and gardens.
A preserved Gold Rush town with shops, a stagecoach ride and costumed staff.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Sacramento and Gold Country
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. Best of NoCal may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »Sacramento and Gold Country — FAQ
Is Sacramento worth visiting?
Yes, for a day or two. Old Sacramento, the Railroad Museum, the Capitol and the food scene are easy to see, and the city makes a good base for Gold Country towns and a stop on the way to Tahoe.
Can you still pan for gold in California?
Yes. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma and Columbia State Historic Park offer gold panning, and several commercial operators in the foothills teach visitors how to pan.
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