Return to the Past in Old Sacramento

A travel journal to Sacramento by C. A. Fliedner

Spirit of Sacramento Riverboat Cruise Photo - Spirit Of Sacramento, Sacramento, California

Quote: Old Sacramento is a journey to the past -- to the boomtown of the 1850s, when prospectors came down from the mountains with pouches of gold dust, ate hearty meals, drank at one of the many saloons, bathed at the local bathhouse, and slept in one of the boarding houses.

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Return to the Past in Old Sacramento

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Overview

The Delta King Riverboat Hotel Photo - Sacramento, California

Quote:

Sacramento's beginnings centered around the waterfront along the Sacramento River, now called the "Old Town" area. In 1848, gold was discovered in the nearby foothills by an employee of John Sutter, an emigrant who came to the area and received a huge land grant from the then Mexican Governor of California. When word of the gold strike spread, thousands of prospectors hightailed it to the gold fields of California, and Sacramento quickly became a thriving commercial center at the gateway to the Mother Lode mining camps. Today, there are 53 historic buildings still standing. The waterfront is now a popular destination for locals and vacationers alike, with dozens of shops, restaurants, ...Read More

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Holiday Inn Sacramento Capitol Plaza

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Hotel | "Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza"

Quote:

While the Holiday Inn was very nice, and the rooms spacious, many of other writers attending the same conference stayed aboard the Delta King River Boat Hotel. This authentic old steamboat is a floating hotel, conference center, and restaurant, and it''s docked in the Old Sacramento district. The only downside is that the rooms are small, as one would expect of an authentic old sternwheeler. But the interior is lovely, and there''s even a period theater aboard. Though the rooms facing the river are a bit more costly, the view makes it worth the extra expense. The Holiday Inn is about a 3 minute walk from Old Sacramento, and there''s a convenient underpass for pedestrians to walk to the ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 4, 2000

Holiday Inn Sacramento Capitol Plaza
300 J STREET
Sacramento, California 95814
916-446-0100

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Rio City Cafe

Restaurant

Quote:

The Rio City Cafe is a short walk from the Delta King Riverboat along the waterfront. It's a picturesque setting, and the food is good. Well worth paying an extra few dollars for the setting.

Old Sacramento has numerous quaint restaurants situated in the old, restored buildings. There's even a wonderful Mexican food restaurant on one of the side streets that we've eaten at several times.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 4, 2000

Rio City Cafe
1110 Front St
Old Sacramento, California 95814
+1 916 442 8226

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Spirit Of Sacramento

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Attraction | "The Spirit of Sacramento"

Quote:

The one-hour tour is nice, but they also have longer cruises, which include brunch or dinner. Naturally, these cost more. The main cabin is decorated in historical style. Good for sightseeing beyond the city, up and down the Sacramento River. Call for information and reservations.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on December 12, 2000

Spirit Of Sacramento
110 L St
Old Sacramento, California 95814
+1 800 433 0263

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Sacramento Sweets Company

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Attraction | "The Sacramento Sweets Company"

Quote:

Founded in 1964, this large candy shop is located near the Delta King Riverboat, on one of Old Sacramento's cobblestone streets. We wandered in to take a peek, and came out with a variety of delicious candies. My family fell in love with the pumpkin fudge, the carmel/marshmellow rolls, pralines (to die for), and other equally fatting, but yummy treats. Yes, Sacramento Sweets Co. does have a website (www.sacsweets.com), and their phone number is 1-800-496-0590. I've already had one order shipped! Be sure to stop by for a taste when you visit Old Sacramento!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 4, 2000

Sacramento Sweets Company
1035 Front Street
Sacramento, California
800-496-0590

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California State Railroad Museum

Attraction

Quote:

The railroad museum appeals to people of all ages. The enormous building is filled with restored 19th century trains, including a million-pound steam locomotive. You can walk through some of the antique cars, like the old sleeping car, which sways gently and has recorded sounds of clicking tracks beneath your feet. There are displays from the early days of railroads up to the present-day.

Train rides are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from April to September. During the Halloween season, the old-fashioned steam train -- now renamed the "Ghost Train" -- is decked out with cobwebs, ghosts and goblins. It runs through town, past the huge pumpkin patch, and costs very little to ride.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 4, 2000

California State Railroad Museum
111 I St
Sacramento, California 95814
+1 916 445 6645

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Sutter's Fort SHP State Historic Park

Attraction | "Sutter's Fort State Historic Park"

Quote:

Sutter's Fort is where Sacramento really began. John Sutter emigrated to Sacramento and began building the adobe fort in 1840. The fort enclosed a self-contained, tiny town within the thick walls, which included a bakery, blanket factory, workshops, Sutter's home, called "Central Building," and quarters for some of his workers. While Sutter's Fort isn't where gold was first discovered in California, it was one of John Sutter's employees, James W. Marshall, who found the first glittering nuggets while building a sawmill on the south fork of the American River about 50 miles away.

The buildings at Sutter's Fort have been renovated, and the fort is open to the public.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 4, 2000

Sutter's Fort SHP State Historic Park
2701 L St
Sacramento, California 95816
(916) 445-4422