Old Sacramento
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Old Sacramento is one of my favorite California State Parks. It makes a great day trip from San Francisco or Reno, and it is full of the rich history of California. True, there are plenty of "touristy" shops selling t-shirts and trinkets, but you can also unearth a lot of history and local lore if you know where to look.
The Museums
There are several museums in Old Sac that are great for the entire family to explore. The biggest and best is the California State Railroad Museum. This museum contains absolutely awesome displays of train history in California. As you enter the museum, the first exhibit is a full-sized snow shed from the Sierra Nevada, including a train coming out the shed toward you as you enter. It's great! It really gives you an idea of the size of the sheds, and the incredible work that went into constructing them. The docents who work in the museum are very knowledgeable, too.
There's also a Wells Fargo museum and State Park office where you can find out information on all the parks sprinkled around the state, as well as maps of Old Sacramento showing the historic buildings. The map will give you an idea of what Old Sacramento was like over 150 years ago, when gold was first discovered not far up the American River from the site where you stand in Old Sac. All the stores in Old Sac are in historic buildings, so stepping through the doors is like taking a step back in time.
One of the newest additions to museums in the Park is the Sacramento Discovery Musuem, a rare treat for kids of all ages interested in science, technology, history, and space. The museum features dozens of hands-on exhibits on the history of Sacramento, along with science and technology exhibits from around the nation. It's a great addition to the park.
Restaurants, Where to Stay, and Weather
The best time to visit is in the spring or fall, when the crowds aren't as heavy, and the weather is cooler. Sacramento in the summer can be mighty hot! (Over 100 degrees most days, and fairly humid.) There are several good restaurants where you can enjoy lunch or dinner. Fat City has some of the best quiche I've ever eaten. You can even spend the night on the Dixie King, a real river boat moored on the American River right in the park. Since Old Sac is located right in the heart of Sacramento, there are also many hotels, restaurants, and malls within a short distance of the park.
Old Sac is a great, interesting, and historic place for the whole family to enjoy. Try it once, I'll bet your find it addicting!