Old Sacramento
Old Sacramento
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
This historic area of restored buildings, museums and novelty shops brings life to the Sacramento waterfront.
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The area
Address
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Best nearby
Restaurants
779 within 3 miles
Attractions
269 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- 63impalaStoneham, Massachusetts1,428 contributionsA must visit.This is the place to be in town. There is a lot of history here and everyone crowds in and has a great time. The buildings are great to look at and there are many, many shops, restuarants and bars to take in. This is the true heart of the city.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 1, 2023
- Travel30880121324Las Vegas, Nevada11 contributionsSolo explorer, enjoying life & writing reviews ✍️☕I did visit Sacramento some yrs ago, many things are the same, some things are new. Old Sacramento can easily be in a western movie 👍. It's best to stop by on a Sat & Sun ( to ride a steam engine (train offer audio & visual tours. There's plenty of things to do in Old Sacramento as well anywhere in Sacramento.Visited December 2023Traveled soloWritten December 22, 2023
- RockyRaccoonPort Saint Joe, Florida894 contributionsWouldn't go out of your way to visit.Not really much too it. A couple of restaurants and shops. Looks like it might have some potential. To be fair, I understand the train museum is a big draw, but we didn't go in there. If you're close by, you might consider stopping, but I wouldn't make a plan specifically to visit.Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 25, 2024
- RambleOn65North Carolina198 contributionsA great way to spend a SundayA wonderful place to stroll on a Sunday! Most shops and museums were open at 10am and parking was a $10 flat fee in the garage. Stop by the visitors center for a fantastic overview of what to see. Beautiful architecture and a real sense of what the area was like in the old days. Would highly recommendVisited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
3,165 reviews
Excellent
1,301
Very good
1,196
Average
518
Poor
111
Terrible
39
Dottie77
Sacramento, CA39 contributions
Apr 2021
The advertisement online shows the historic train along the river out in the country. This is false advertising and isn't what you're really going to get! The train only goes about 10 miles down to the Meadowview area and never leaves town. They work to make it a 50 minute trip by going slowly and stopping often.
The train itself is interesting. Open cars have bench or card chair seats, but the closed cars have comfortable upholstered seats. At $13 it's a good price, but they should just tell the truth.
The train itself is interesting. Open cars have bench or card chair seats, but the closed cars have comfortable upholstered seats. At $13 it's a good price, but they should just tell the truth.
Written April 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
potaracke
Laupahoehoe, HI306 contributions
Nov 2020
A very nice area to bring the family to walk around some of the oldest buildings in all of California! Of course, you have the river with excursion boats that you can stay on or eat on. Restaurants overlooking the river as well. Several old steam engines to look at that are really cool....a ferris wheel for the kids as well. Several touristy stores with candy and ice cream as well as adult type beverage places. It's a great place to spend a full afternoon or more! The Christmas tree is up to delight the kids and choreographed with music.
Written November 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather
Las Vegas, NV1,300 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
There are several shops and restaurants that could easily occupy a day if you chose to explore everything. Evangeline's Costume Mansion in particular is a standout shop. There is a general store on the first floor and costume shop on the second & third floors.
Written August 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina M
San Diego, CA289 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Really underwhelming. Unlike someplace like nearby Placerville, the stores are mostly tourist traps (candy, toys, souvenirs) and the restaurant options are underwhelming. We did a quick walk through and left. Didn’t keep my daughter’s attention long either. Time is better spent elsewhere.
Written April 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vaughanm1976
Amarillo, TX700 contributions
Jul 2022
This older area is made up of restored or well maintained buildings from early Sacramento days. Area still has boardwalks. Very pedestrian friendly. Filled with shops, bars coffeeshops, and restaurants. California State Railroad Museum is in this area.
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wynn R
Morgan Hill, CA2,355 contributions
Jul 2019
I love going here, not only has the original structures been preserved, the train museum is also here. The shops are either tourist trinkets and eateries, or antique stores. Less than a mile west from Sutter's fort Museum.
Written April 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TarHeel
Durham, NC1,122 contributions
Jul 2021
We had some extra time to kill waiting for our delayed Amtrak train, so we spent an hour walking around this historic section. The buildings and sidewalks are right out of the old west, and there is a monument to the Pony Express. We stopped into several shops but didn't buy anything, although some of our tour group did. We also strolled along the riverfront a little bit and peeked at the big steamboat that was docked there. One of our group asked us to get some of the small donuts from a shop we saw on the bus, so we obliged and shared our treats. All in all, a nice way to spend some time if you're in the area.
Written October 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M P
4 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
It was probably a good place to visit at one time. But it felt like it's been abandoned
Possibly because covid shut everything down and it's been unable to start up again.
The buildings are in good shape and the few stores open have plenty of merchandise.
I saw an advertisement from 2017 where it looks like there had been lots of activities.
I hope it can recover.
Possibly because covid shut everything down and it's been unable to start up again.
The buildings are in good shape and the few stores open have plenty of merchandise.
I saw an advertisement from 2017 where it looks like there had been lots of activities.
I hope it can recover.
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maryann L
Fair Oaks, CA1,322 contributions
Oct 2021
We went to Old Town to have lunch before a visit to a local museum. There was zero chance of finding on the street parking. The garage was available and very expensive, $1.50 per half hour. Th first two restaurants we went to had a wait time of 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours. We finally found a place that could seat us inside...no outside tables available for over an hour. This will be our last visit here on a weekend for quite a while and we'd never venture here at night.
Written October 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,517 contributions
Feb 2020
This is the real reason why you want to have some tourist time in the State Capital. This is the historic preservation part of town with all the Gold Rush architecture and the incredible railroad museum. Lots of places to eat and drink and they are unique.
Written September 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We would like to visit Old Town Sacramento on Memorial Day, Monday 5/29/23. How can I find out if and when most of the shops open? If we arrive by 11 or 11:30am on a Monday holiday, will there be places to visit and things to do?
Written April 3, 2023
Am I the only guy reading this who's glad they didn't allow "steveyv0nneh" and his dog into a restaurant where I'm eating. Hey buddy, I like pets as much as anyone, in fact more than most. Our pets are our "furry kids" and very likely treated better than most human kids. But they do not belong in restaurants where humans eat. I don't get people like you, it's as though you think everyone should ignore their own preferences (and laws) by allowing you to bring you animals into a restaurant. If they're legitimate service animals (not "comfort aniamls") they are allowed in. If not, why don't you take your little buddy down to the animal shelter and enjoy a nice bowl of kibble together?
Written April 19, 2019
I agree with you .Dogs that are not "service animals" don't need to be inside at sit-down restaurants.
Some restaurants also have an outside dog-friendly "cafe area" that allows dogs. I personally feel that is all right.
.
Written April 21, 2019
Yes, you can walk around with your dog on a leash, however, you may not be able to take them in all shops.
Written April 20, 2019
What time does the stores around Old sacrmento opens on a Saturday?
Written July 8, 2017
Generally speaking, most of the gift shop, novelty store type places open between 10am and 11am. Per the Old Sacramento Shops website, there are over 100 shops in Old Town Sacramento. The current list contains the contact information with address for each individual restaurant/food venue as well as the gift and novelty locations. Please check out their website for further details.
Written July 8, 2017
What time does the stores around Old sacrmento opens on a Saturday?
Written July 8, 2017
I am pretty sure they open around 10 am.
Written July 12, 2017
jenistre
Nevada City, California
How far is Joe's Crab Shack from the Railroad museum? We will be walking with elderly and young children.
Written March 16, 2017
We are going to stay at La Quinta Inn. I'm wondering if we will be able to walk down to the town.
Written March 12, 2017
It's about a 20 min. walk via a Riverside boardwalk.
7 min. drive by car.
Walking during the day is pretty safe, but I am not comfortable walking it after dark.
Old Sac itself is beautiful and safe at night.
Written March 13, 2017
ehreed4
Lakewood, California
We will be visiting Sac on December 26th? Where is parking available and how much does it cost?
Written December 15, 2016
There are two parking structures on two ends of Old town. Then there is some street parking in old town. If you do not want to pay and still park for a while, then park on the other side of the river on the streets (office areas) and walk across the golden bridge to the river. This is not like a major city where parking is pricey everywhere.. just need to walk a few blocks and you will have free parking. (but not on the same side of the river on the old town side)
Written December 15, 2016
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