California State Capitol Museum
California State Capitol Museum
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
About
This 19th-century granite building, modeled after the U.S. Capitol, is home to the California Legislature and houses a public museum and a surrounding garden. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience California State Capitol Museum and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
819 within 3 miles
Attractions
280 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- DisneybusPittsgrove, New Jersey979 contributionsVery nice capitol - tour comes up shortMy wife and I, touring from New Jersey, took a docent tour of the capitol. First, the grounds are very impressive with palms swaying around the perimeter and the dome very prominent. While we gained some insight from the tour, we were disappointed. Our guide, while knowledgeable, was a fast talker and not albeit clear. It was hard to pick up on his rehearsed delivery: we were led to several rooms no longer used rather than seeing and learning about today's working government. Most disappointing was that we weren't brought into either the Senate or Assembly chambers; a must with our other capitol visits. We did visit the Assembly on our own later, but didn't get into the Senate. It was fun seeing the portraits of Arnold and Ron, but why is Reagans statue in the basement adjacent to the gift shop?Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 7, 2024
- BrakiWorldTravelerBelgrade, Serbia20,038 contributionsPrivate tour of amazing CapitolCalifornia's Capitol is the most similar to DC's Nation Capitol. It's modeled upon DC's, but finished earlier. That's because of CA wealth due to gold rush and mining which mostly started and ended here, in Sacramento. That gave Sac great advantage over SF and LA to become the state capital. That, and many other interesting stories we learned from our tour guide, whose name I unfortunately don't remember. Tours of CA Capitol run on the hour from 10AM to 4PM. Luckily for us, some people cancelled so we were the only on the 3PM tour. Throughout 45 min he gave detailed explanations about CA history, took us to the assembly room and by the painted Governors portraits. The rest of time we could roam freely, seeing the small museum and other interesting things.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 8, 2024
- Sarah CAshtead, United Kingdom1,321 contributionsAwesome building, great tourThis was excellent, we saw the museum and did the tour, which was a bit limited due to renovations. Our guide was brilliant, lots of insider titbits, and made the place - which is delightfully grand - come to life. The Governor portrait gallery was fascinating. Highly recommendedVisited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten June 19, 2024
- Katia74LALos Angeles, California69 contributionsA Must seeGreat place for Californians and visitors to see and learn more about our history ! People who worked in the building were very friendly , beginning with the security, state highway trooper, attendants inside . A Must see when in town !Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 6, 2024
- scott rSilver Spring, Maryland784 contributionsDocent tour worth your time - but also speak with interpreter in historic roomFriendly staff, decent hour long docent tour. We did not see the Assembly and both chambers are viewed from a heavy plexiglass shielded gallery - tribute I guess to some overenthusiastic CA citizen audiences. Several historic rooms downstairs interpret the building as it once was - but in reality it was gutted in order to earthquake proof the place and you are viewing a recreation rather than a restoration. The court was here once too, but you do not see that - nor the (present) governor's offices. It is a pleasant visit and average-good as state Capitols go in terms of being ornate / oohs and aahs. They don't incorporate a little history museum as some Capitols do. Reagan looks a little lonely in his basement rotunda.Visited September 2024Traveled soloWritten October 6, 2024
- Cathy T30 contributionsGreat historical experienceThe guided tour was very informative . We ended up basically having a private tour. Our guide, Cindy, was very knowledgeable. The inside of the capitol was extraordinary: the architecture was beautiful and unique. There were Great photo opportunities for anyone who likes historic places. The tour was free. You can also walk through the allowed areas for visitors on your own if you just want to wonder at your own paceVisited October 2024Traveled with familyWritten October 10, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
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
4.5
1,403 reviews
Excellent
889
Very good
439
Average
68
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Brendan S
Arlington, VA2,172 contributions
Nov 2022
The California Capitol Building has a "Museum" section of rooms that look like they did a century ago, and information about the State (bird, song, animal, etc.). There's a free hour-long tour that takes the group to some of these rooms, to the legislative assembly room, into the rotunda, and examines the interesting portraits of governors, including the very famous ones like Reagan and Schwarzenegger. It's interesting and informative as the guide was very knowledgeable about design elements and trivia about the building and governors that I would not have known but for the tour.
Written November 6, 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.
Lottelli
Wirral, UK2,931 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
There are free walking tours on the hour - meet in the rotunda.
The building is fantastic.
The free tour was really informative and I learnt thinks I wouldn’t have known about.
All of the Californian governors portraits are on the wall - look out for Arnies!
We got to look into the chambers which was cool.
The building is fantastic.
The free tour was really informative and I learnt thinks I wouldn’t have known about.
All of the Californian governors portraits are on the wall - look out for Arnies!
We got to look into the chambers which was cool.
Written November 3, 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.
BigMerk
Glasgow, UK2,707 contributions
Sep 2022
We were only in Sacramento for a few hours on a long road trip. I had already identified that the Capitol building was closed on a Saturday (some are, some aren’t) so it was not a surprise. It was still good to see the outside and take some photos. It’s a very grand-looking building in a classic style and immediately the surrounding area is similarly grand. It’s very central and within easy walking distance of Old Sacramento (the main tourist destination).
Written September 30, 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.
Mel S
Santa Barbara, CA122 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
For those of us who have only a weekend to visit Sacramento, it is disappointing that the Capitol and Museum are closed weekends. I think our State could do better. As for the exterior, half of it is covered by scaffolding g for the construction of an annex/extension, and the park is torn up in parts for the construction, with many paths closed.
Written February 1, 2024
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.
Susan L
Port Washington, NY5 contributions
May 2022
Most areas of building were closed to visitors due to Covid. Briefly viewed each chamber in session but other interesting rooms had been closed for a while.
Also, entry is difficult to locate. You must walk a distance from the front to access entry.
Also, entry is difficult to locate. You must walk a distance from the front to access entry.
Written June 7, 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.
grwpl
Munich, Germany1,264 contributions
Jan 2020
It is a real bonus to be able to access buildings like this, even more so as entrance id free of charge as well as the guided tour.
Walked all around ti building in the beautiful park to the south entrance, simple and effective security screening and then you are allowed to wander around on your own. It is interesting to see some Californian history and where tomorrows history is being made. I joined the free tour with was very informative and relaxed. Really enjoyed seeing the historical rooms that were on display as well as the chambers where laws re debated and enacted.
The portraits of the governors are really worth seeing especially the Jerry Brown portrait that I thought was excellent - It is interesting to see the ego's of Ronnie and Arnie reflected in their portraits
Walked all around ti building in the beautiful park to the south entrance, simple and effective security screening and then you are allowed to wander around on your own. It is interesting to see some Californian history and where tomorrows history is being made. I joined the free tour with was very informative and relaxed. Really enjoyed seeing the historical rooms that were on display as well as the chambers where laws re debated and enacted.
The portraits of the governors are really worth seeing especially the Jerry Brown portrait that I thought was excellent - It is interesting to see the ego's of Ronnie and Arnie reflected in their portraits
Written January 26, 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.
Richard Small
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Friends
I went on this tour on a Saturday morning and it was one of the most interesting and fun tours I’ve been on. Our tour guide, Cindy ( I think that was her name) was not only very knowledgeable about everything, but she also made the tour a lot more interesting by pointing out random things about the building and engaging with the group. I’m not sure if all the guides do this but they need to. I also really enjoyed hearing about all the facts about the California seal and how the building has changed over the years. Do this tour, you won’t regret it I promise.
Written January 19, 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.
Raymond
145 contributions
Mar 2020
To me this is our city's pride and joy. A most beautiful building that luckily was saved due to an increase in patriotism during the Bicentennial year. The building was seismic proof so many of it's roof top statues were removed. A display of the seismic proofing can be found in the basement along with a nice gift shop. Free tours are offered and well worth it. Their is a big statue in the rotunda and tours take you inside the assembly and senate chambers with it's Czech lead crystal chandeliers, and walk passed the governor's portraits. There are rooms of historic information, a film to watch and antiqued furnished rooms. Don't miss Arnold Schwarzengger's bronze bear in front of the governor's office and the hallway of county exhibits. Due to security there is only one entrance now. The capitol grounds with it's memorials, camilla garden, peace rose garden tree arboretum, and site of Res. Gerald Ford's almost assassination.
Written March 13, 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.
Steve M
Pulaski, TN583 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Another beautiful capitol building. They are in the middle of a huge renovation, gutting and replacing the back of the capitol. Luckily you can get some great pictures in the front. You will enter the north side of the building through a temporary building. We could only see the museum part of the capitol. We found a parking garage about 2 blocks north of the capitol and walked. Security and the staff were helpful and friendly.
Written July 20, 2023
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.
Rob-CS
Gothenburg, Sweden180 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
As a museum I was not very impressed. They have recreated some old rooms and there is a lot of information about the building and it’s multiple renovations.
The cool part was that you can see where the California senate sits. If they were in session I would consider coming back to see that.
The building is very beautiful so if you want to go for that sake you can do that.
It is free to enter!
The cool part was that you can see where the California senate sits. If they were in session I would consider coming back to see that.
The building is very beautiful so if you want to go for that sake you can do that.
It is free to enter!
Written February 14, 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.
What architectual style are the columns on the front of the capitol building?
Written August 7, 2023
Is the area safe near the Capitol. We will be visiting next Friday and my husband is concerned about my kids and me walking in the parking garage to the Capitol.
Written January 24, 2020
It's very safe. Not sure why you're concerned. I was just there 2 months ago.
There's also street parking which I believe is free on Sundays.
Written February 2, 2020
Do they allow camera tripods inside the Capitol?
Written October 22, 2018
Capitol_Eric
Sacramento, California
One definite limit on tripods is that you cannot use them in the Assembly or Senate galleries while the houses are in session. As they are not in session this time of year, that should not be a problem.
Written October 29, 2018
If I visit at night, is the Capitol lit up, visible with lights?
Written April 12, 2018

Mina_Von_Vixen
Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
38 contributions
Yes! Well worth going at night and then again in the morning :)
Written April 15, 2018
Where should I go (specifically) to sign up for a tour of the capitol?
Written October 23, 2016
Capitol_Eric
Sacramento, California
To sign up for a public tour, please visit Room B-27 in the lower level (basement) of the Capitol. There are signs and docents to direct you. Tours leave on the hour, beginning at 9 am; the last tour leaves at 4 pm. You do need to sign up for the tour. I recommend signing up at least 15 minutes before the tour leaves. If your group consists of ten or more people, you will need to call ReserveCalifornia at 1-866-240-4655 in advance. If you desire, you can take a self-guided tour, although I recommend picking up a map of the building first. If you visit on a weekday, you can enter at the north (L St), south (N St), or east entrance. On weekends and holidays, only the south entrance is open. Once you're on the grounds, if you need directions to the tour office, please call our information desk at 1-916-324-0333. We hope you enjoy your visit!
Written January 29, 2018
Capitol_Eric
Sacramento, California
Public tours of the Capitol Museum usually last from 45 minutes to an hour. You may leave early if you need to.
Written September 7, 2015
Showing results 1-7 of 7
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing