California Automotive Museum 

2200 Front St., Sacramento

California car culture is firing on all cylinders at the California Automobile Museum. This cool indoor lot is home to nearly 150 old-school vehicles beckoning you to cruise through each decade as you grasp how the automobile has evolved. Revved up? Go.

California Museum 

1021 O St., Sacramento

Home of the California Hall of Fame, the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts is a cultural destination dedicated to telling the rich history of California and its unique influence on the world of ideas, innovation, art and culture. The museum educates tens of thousands of school children through inspiring programs, sharing with world visitors California's rich art, history and cultural legacy through dynamic exhibits, and serving as a public forum and international meeting place. 

California State Railroad Museum 

125 I St., Sacramento 

Located at the western terminus of the first transcontinental railroad, the Railroad Museum is part of the larger Old Sacramento State Historic Park. The museum has exhibits that focus not only on the locomotives and rail cars but also on how trains helped develop California and the West. Since Sacramento played such an essential part in the first transcontinental railroad, it's no surprise that time is dedicated to discussing how the East and West Coasts were first connected. There's a section dedicated to kids and young-at-heart, so model railroad enthusiasts won't be let down. The museum is also home to 19 different locomotives covering the period between 1862 and 1944. 

Local Experience!

While at the California State Railroad Museum, purchase a ticket to board the Museum’s Excursion Railroad, The Sacramento Southern Railroad, a 50-minute round trip ride along the scenic Sacramento River, as you experience railroading firsthand as it was in the early part of the 20th century. Pulled by one of their historic steam or diesel locomotives, this ride is the perfect hands-on complement to visiting the museum and is sure to entertain the entire family.

Crocker Art Museum 

216 O St., Sacramento

Crocker Art Museum is one of Sacramento’s most-prized locations, home to preeminent Californian collections plus African, Asian, European and Oceanic art. Come and spend a few hours here, as new exhibitions appear constantly. View the permanent collection, which includes notable works by artists such as Pierre-Auguste-Renoir, Gerrit van Honthorts and Wayne Thiebaud.

Leland Stanford Mansion  

800 N. St., Sacramento

The historic 19,000-square-foot mansion was built in 1856 by Gold Rush merchant Sheldon Fogus and recently went through a 14-year, $22 million restoration and rehabilitation. Featuring 17-foot ceilings, elegant 19th-century crystal and bronze light fixtures, historic paintings and much more, the Leland Stanford Mansion serves the citizens of California as the state’s official reception center for leaders from around the world.

Sacramento Historic Old City Cemetery 

1000 Broadway, Sacramento

A reflective walking tour of the cemetery, which is adorned with beautiful statues, dramatic markers, lush gardens and walking paths, takes visitors through a 33.44-acre outdoor history museum, recording California history and prominent people from the Gold Rush era through today.