Skip to main content
Sacramento

Sacramento travel guide

Capital city of California, United States

Flights from$1,088 round trip
Best time to visitApril and October
Nearest airportSAC · 4 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−7
Population524,943

About Sacramento

Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California. The county seat of Sacramento County, it is located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in the Sacramento Valley. It is the fourth-most populous city in Northern California, sixth-most populous city in the state, and 35th-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 524,943 at the 2020 census. The Sacramento metropolitan area, with 2.46 million residents, is the 27th-largest metropolitan area in the country.

Cheap flights to Sacramento

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,088 from London, travelling 17 Mar – 31 Mar. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Cheapest month to fly

$1,291 Oct $1,191 Nov $1,208 Dec $1,881 Jan $1,168 Feb $1,088 Mar $1,486 May $1,643 Jun $1,436 Aug

Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus, Finnair.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

Search flights to Sacramento

Places to visit in Sacramento

  1. Old Sacramento

    Old Sacramento

    Historic

    A riverside Gold Rush-era district of wooden boardwalks and restored buildings with shops, restaurants, museums and views of the Tower Bridge. Riverboat cruises depart nearby.

  2. California State Railroad Museum

    California State Railroad Museum

    Museum

    In Old Sacramento, this museum displays beautifully restored locomotives and railcars and explains the building of the transcontinental railroad. Seasonal excursion train rides run along the riverfront.

  3. California State Capitol

    California State Capitol

    Landmark

    A domed neoclassical capitol with restored historic offices and free tours, surrounded by Capitol Park's trees, gardens and memorials. The park's rose garden and camellias are especially pretty in spring.

  4. Sutter's Fort

    Sutter's Fort

    Historic

    A reconstructed adobe fort and settlement founded by John Sutter, with exhibits on pioneer life and the beginnings of the Gold Rush. It is a few blocks from the Capitol.

  5. Crocker Art Museum

    Crocker Art Museum

    Museum

    A long-established art museum combining a Victorian mansion with a modern wing, featuring California art, European drawings and ceramics. The ornate original galleries are a highlight in their own right.

  6. Tower Bridge

    Tower Bridge

    Landmark · 1 mi from centre

    A gold-painted vertical-lift bridge crossing the Sacramento River beside Old Sacramento, best seen from the riverfront promenade at sunset. Its lights reflect beautifully on the water after dark.

  7. American River Parkway

    American River Parkway

    Nature · 11 mi from centre

    A long riverside greenway with a paved bike trail, rafting and river access, providing easy outdoor recreation through the city. Summer rafting trips on the river are a popular local tradition.

Where to stay in Sacramento

Popular hotels in Sacramento, out of 227 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Sacramento

Best time to visit Sacramento

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Sacramento is April and October, when average daytime highs are around 73–79°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 40° – 57° 8
Feb 43° – 60° 12
Mar 45° – 62° 13
Apr 49° – 73° 4
May 55° – 85° 1
Jun 60° – 94° 0
Jul 62° – 99° 1
Aug 62° – 97° 1
Sep 62° – 92° 1
Oct 55° – 79° 5
Nov 46° – 63° 9
Dec 43° – 55° 10

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Sacramento weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 75° 51° 25%
  • Thu 22 Oct 64° 56° 38%
  • Fri 23 Oct 74° 55° 1%
  • Sat 24 Oct 74° 54° 1%
  • Sun 25 Oct 76° 55° 8%
  • Mon 26 Oct 77° 58° 6%

Know before you go

Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Language
English
Calling code
+1
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/Los_AngelesUTC−7
Capital
Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Sacramento

These are the airports closest to central Sacramento. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • SAC Sacramento Executive Airport4 mi (7 km) from the city centre
  • MCC McClellan Airfield8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
  • SMF Sacramento International Airport10 mi (16 km) from the city centre
  • MHR Sacramento Mather Airport10 mi (17 km) from the city centre
Search flights to Sacramento

Getting around Sacramento

Sacramento is fairly easy to navigate due to the numbered and lettered streets, especially in the central district which is laid out in a grid. Numbered streets run north and south while lettered streets run east and west. South of the city center (bounded by Broadway, Front Street, and Alhambra Boulevard), the streets are named "Avenue" when the lettered streets run out.

By foot

Historic Old Sacramento, the Riverfront, and the California State Railroad Museum are all within an easy 5-minute walk of the train station. The Capitol building is a pleasant 15-minute walk from Old Sacramento. Sacramento has been called the tree city, due to the density of street trees present. This makes for a pleasant walk anyone in Central Sacramento. However, the moment that you try to get out of the central core, the distances go up, and you're just trudging through suburbs that have much less shade.

By bicycle

The wide, flat, tree-lined streets make cycling a relaxing way to get around Downtown and Midtown Sacramento. Most streets in the grid have bike lanes, and bike routes through the city are clearly marked. Traveling by bike also means avoiding expensive and hard-to-find parking. Additionally, the region is connected with the American River Bike Trail.mw-parser-output .error-deadlink{color:red;background:yellow;display:none;white-space:nowrap}[dead link], one of the gems of outdoor recreation for the city.

Public transportation

Sacramento Regional Transit is the major provider of transit service in Sacramento with connections to other inter-urban buses and the surrounding area.

Sacramento travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Sacramento?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Sacramento is April and October, when average daytime highs are around 73–79°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

What is the weather like in Sacramento?

July is usually the warmest month in Sacramento, with average highs of 99°F (37°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 43°F (6°C). The wettest month is typically February, with about 198 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Sacramento?

Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (7 km) from the centre of Sacramento. Other nearby airports include McClellan Airfield (MCC, 8 mi) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF, 10 mi).

How much are flights to Sacramento?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Sacramento in the last 30 days was $1,088 from London, travelling 17 Mar – 31 Mar. March is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $1,088.

What time zone is Sacramento in?

Sacramento uses the America/Los_Angeles time zone (currently UTC−7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Sacramento?

Sacramento is fairly easy to navigate due to the numbered and lettered streets, especially in the central district which is laid out in a grid. Numbered streets run north and south while lettered streets run east and west.

What are the best places to visit in Sacramento?

Top sights in Sacramento include Old Sacramento, California State Railroad Museum, California State Capitol and Sutter's Fort. A riverside Gold Rush-era district of wooden boardwalks and restored buildings with shops, restaurants, museums and views of the Tower Bridge. Riverboat cruises depart nearby.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Sacramento?

The most popular types of experiences in Sacramento are shows, sports and special events (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Sacramento?

Popular areas for hotels in Sacramento include Downtown - Capital, Old Town and West Sacramento. Well-reviewed options include Kimpton Sawyer Hotel and The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection.

How many hotels can I book in Sacramento?

Destina Holidays currently lists 227 properties in and around Sacramento, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.