Sacramento, the capital of California is not always the first spot visitors think of heading to when planning a California trip. Located in the central part of the state, it has a rich history and cultural heritage. It played an important role during the Gold Rush and became a transportation hub. Today, two days in Sacramento is the perfect amount of time to explore the various museums and historic landmarks.
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Disclaimer: Special thanks to the Sacramento Tourism Board and the Crocker Art Museum for hosting me on my trip to Sacramento! As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
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History of Sacramento
The Nisenan and the Plains Miwok Native American tribes lived in the Sacramento area for thousands of years prior to the arrival of the Europeans in 1808. In 1839, the Mexican governor granted John Sutter, a Swiss immigrant, land in the area.
Sutter discovered gold in 1848 and began the California Gold Rush. The Gold Rush brought an influx of people to the area and it grew rapidly to become the capital of California. Throughout the years, Sacramento continued to grow as a city and expand its buildings and transportation infrastructure.
In recent years, Sacramento has continued its growth, especially economically and continued to be the head of the government for California.
When to Spend Two Days in Sacramento
Sacramento is a fun place to visit any time of the year. It has typical California weather that does not get too cold in the wintertime (lows in the 40s) to hot and sunny summers.
How to Get to Sacramento
Sacramento has one major airport: Sacramento International Airport. It is not huge, but does have flights from across the United States and some flights to Mexico and Canada. This airport is also the gateway to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park. The cheapest airfare usually costs around $100 round trip.
Transportation in Sacramento
Sacramento does have a light rail and bus system that connects the major parts of the city to the airport. If you plan on exploring more than Downtown Sacramento, I recommend renting a car through Autoslash as that is where I always find the best deals. Uber/Lyft are also available.
Where to Stay in Sacramento
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Sacramento hotels here!
The best area to stay in Sacramento is the Downtown area. This is walkable to many of the main sites. If you stay here and do not plan on taking any day trips, you will not need a car to get around. We stayed at the Hyatt House Sacramento/Midtown.
Other hotel options include the following.
- Sheraton Grand Sacramento
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
- Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown-Arena
- The Citizen Hotel
What to do During Two Days in Sacramento
The main area of Sacramento is divided into three main parts: Downtown (DoCo), Midtown, and East Sacramento (East Sac). The various areas are very walkable and it is easy to transit from one area to another. If you have two days in Sacramento, I recommend spending time in all three areas to get a feel for what each is like.
Day 1: Midtown
Pachamama Coffee
Cost: $
Hours: Varies by location
If you are a coffee lover, start your first of two days in Sacramento off with a visit to Pachamama Coffee. This coffee shop is a coop owned by South American coffee farmers and primarily female-owned! They have a main menu plus rotating seasonal offerings.
Pachamama in Incan means “Earth Mother.” The owners embrace that culture and ensure all the products are 100% organic and have built a sustainable brand. Another awesome thing about this shop is all the drinks are made with oat milk and you can sub in other milks (this is great for someone who can’t drink milk like me)!
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Cost: $5
Hours: 10am-5pm
This state historic park commemorates the fort, a trading post, and agricultural center, built by John Sutter (the guy who discovered gold in California). During the gold rush, the fort became a significant space for settlers to get supplies.
Present-day you can visit the various rooms inside the fort, many of which tell the history of the fort. There are also guided tours, history demonstrations, and educational programs depending on when you visit. It is the perfect stop for history lovers or people who want to learn more about the history of California.
Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park
This historical landmark preserves the former residence of California’s governors. It was once a place for receptions, parties. and state functions. It is no longer used due to its condition and need for a more modern residence. Visitors can take a tour of the mansion, visit the grounds, and view period furnishings and artifacts.
**Note right now the mansion is temporarily closed, so you can only view the outside of it.
Urban Roots Brewery and Smokehouse
Cost: $$
Hours: Sun, Tues-Thurs: 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat: 11am-10pm
Urban Roots is the perfect lunch stop for those who love some good barbeque. They have a wide variety of smoked meats on the menu and everything is very tasty and tender. For beer lovers, they also have an extensive tap list.
State Capitol Building
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
The California state capitol building is a must visit during two days in Sacramento. Visitors can opt to stop by the museum or go on a tour offered every hour. Construction on the capital began in 1860 and was finished in 1874.
Surrounding the capital is a very lovely park with several monuments and a rose garden. During nice days, take the time to walk around and explore the area.
Allspicery
Cost: $
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm
The Allspicery is located near the capitol building. It is the perfect shop for spice lovers and people who love to cook to stop! They have pretty much every type of spice you can imagine, sold by the ounce. Shoppers can also buy premade packs with a variety of spices.
California Museum
Cost: $10
Hours: Tues-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm
The California Museum is another fun thing to add to two days in Sacramento. This museum goes over the history of California and is also home to the California Hall of Fame. The California Hall of Fame commemorates important people in the history of California. The museum is housed in the Secretary of State building.
Beast + Bounty
Cost: $$
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11am-9pm, Fri: 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-19pm
Tonight, have dinner at Beast + Bounty, one of my favorite restaurants in Sacramento. Everything here is farm fresh and the menu rotates according to season and what is available. I recommend making a reservation as it is quite popular. They also serve brunch and lunch.
The Jungle Bird
Cost: $
Hours: Tues-Sun: 4pm-2am
After dinner, head to the Jungle Bird to grab some tropical cocktails. You can make a reservation to reserve a spot, but it seemed like there was plenty of walk-in availability as well. They even have Dole Whip you can order as a dessert and use it in some of their cocktails.
Rick’s Dessert Diner
Cost: $
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 10am-11p, Fri-Sat: 10am-1am
For those who love dessert, you cannot miss Rick’s Dessert Diner. They have an assortment of pretty much any baked goods you can imagine! From cakes, cookies, pies, and brownies to ice cream, everyone will be able to find a dessert here! Best of all it is open pretty much all day long so it is the perfect place to go after dinner and drinks.
Day 2: East Sac and DoCo
Orphan Breakfast House
Cost: $$
Hours: 7am-2pm
Orphan Breakfast House is one of the best breakfast places to visit during your two days in Sacramento. They have a ton of breakfast options that are great for people with dietary restrictions. Also, the rosemary potatoes are some of the best I have had in my life! Eating at Orphan is the perfect start to the day.
McKinley Park
After breakfast, take a quick stroll around McKinley Park to stretch out the legs. They have a very pretty rose garden, so if you spend two days in Sacramento during the summertime, you can view them in bloom!
Sacramento Murals
As you travel throughout Sacramento, keep an eye out for the variety of murals scattered throughout the city. Artists include both local and internationally known artists. A few of the more popular ones include the “Farm to Fork” Mural at 2nd and L Streets and the “Greetings from Sacramento” Mural on J street at Solomon’s Delicatessen.
Old Sacramento Waterfront/Old Sacramento State Historic Park
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies by Store
The Old Sacramento Waterfront is another must visit stop during two days in Sacramento. This 28-acre area is a National Historic Landmark and contains over 125 shopping and dining options. Make sure not to miss the golden bridge by the water.
This area was part of the Sacramento left from the 1800s when it became a gold mining area. It is called Old Sacramento for this reason. It has various historical events throughout the year, so check the calendar to see if anything exciting is happening when you visit.
California State Railroad Museum
Cost: $12
Hours: 10am-5pm
A part of Old Sacramento is the California State Railroad Museum, which is one of the most popular in North America. The museum has 21 locations, the oldest of which dates back to 1862. Even if you do not want to go to the museum, you can stop by and see the one they have out front.
Crocker Art Museum
Cost: $15
Hours: Wed, Fri-Sun: 10am-5pm, Thus: 10am-9pm
The Crocker Art Museum is another fabulous museum to visit during two days in Sacramento. This art museum hosts a variety of art from across the continents with pieces starting from the Gold Rush. Visitors can easily spend two hours going through the exhibits.
Margaret Crocker established the museum in 1855 in the original building, the Crocker Mansion. The museum later expanded into another building. The original Crocker Mansion still feels like a house with art exhibits in it. Visitors can climb the original staircases and see the formal ballroom-like room. The newer modern wing contains a gift shop and cafe in addition to exhibits.
Revolution Winery and Kitchen
Cost: $
Hours: Tues-Fri: 11am-9pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-9pm
After a full day of exploring Sacramento, stop at Revolution Winery and Kitchen for a wine tasting or a glass of wine. They have offerings from across the region and it is the perfect way to unwind after a day of sightseeing. They also offer food and other light bites to eat.
Binchoyaki
Cost: $$
Hours: Tues: 3pm-8pm, Wed-Sat: 11am-2pm, 4pm-10pm
For those who love izakaya dining, you will not want to miss Binchoyaki! This restaurant has more skewer choices than you can imagine (think pages long lists). The menu was a bit overwhelming at first but it was such a delicious meal. If you do not want to smell like smoke, make sure to sit outdoors. Binchoyaki is the perfect way to end two days in Sacramento.
More Than Two Days in Sacramento
If you have more than two days in Sacramento, there are plenty of other things to check out! Tower Cafe is a Sacramento staple for breakfast. At dinner, our waiter recommended The Snug and Betty’s Wine Bar and Bottle Shop as two other great bars to hit up. La Venadita is also a fabulous Mexican food restaurant and nearby is Conscious Creamery which has dairy-free ice cream!
A Gold Rush Sites Cruise or a visit to the California Museum is great for getting to learn about the history of the area.
Wine Tasting in Clarksburg
Sacramento has several wine tasting areas less than an hour from Downtown. During our two days in Sacramento, we sampled the area of Clarksburg. First, we stopped at Boegle Family Vineyards. A tasting here costs $20 for 6 pours. Then head to the Old Sugar Mill that has over 10 winery tasting rooms inside of an old sugar mill building.
Places to Visit in the Sacramento Area
Yosemite National Park
Just a three hour drive away from Sacramento, Yosemite National Park is the perfect outdoor destination to add onto a trip to the capital of California. Visitors will love the picturesque landscapes and spectacular views. Make sure to stop at Glacier Point, Taft Point, and Yosemite Falls.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a lesser-known National Park in California. It is also only a 3 hour drive from Sacramento, so it is a fun place to add to a visit if you have more time. Make sure to hike Bumpass Hell for the best views in the park.
Napa or Sonoma Wine Country
If you want a more upscale wine tasting experience, head to Napa, Sonoma, or Healdsburg for some of the best wineries in California. You can easily do this as a day trip from Sacramento, but for the full experience spend more time to get a taste for the different areas of Napa.
Final Tips for Two Days in Sacramento
Sacramento makes for a fun weekend escape in California. With two days in Sacramento, visitors can see all of the main sites in the area. If you have more time, stay longer and take day trips from Sacramento to see more this gorgeous state has to offer.
1 thought on “20+ Fun Things to Do During Two Days in Sacramento, California: A Fantastic First Visit Itinerary”
This itinerary for a two-day visit to Sacramento is absolutely fantastic! I love how you’ve packed so many fun and varied activities into just two days. The mix of historical sites, local eats, and outdoor spots is perfect for getting a well-rounded experience of the city. I’m especially excited about the suggestions for exploring the vibrant neighborhoods and enjoying some of the local events. Thanks for making it so easy to plan a memorable trip—your guide is going to be a lifesaver for my upcoming visit!