Is Sacramento worth visiting? This is a question I asked myself recently when exploring Northern California with Globus Journeys. After all, California is filled with iconic, bucket-list cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. Why should we visit this smaller and lesser known city when there’s so much else to see?
Well, the truth is, Sacramento is so much cooler and quirkier than guidebooks give it credit for. As the capital of California, Sac is not only the political hub of the state, but it’s also a cultural center with a thriving food, art, and nightlife scene. Farmers markets and eccentric breweries are all over, and you won’t have to go far to discover rich history, either. Needless to say, I’m so glad Globus brought me here, as I likely wouldn’t have visited otherwise.
With its contemporary culture and Gold Rush heritage, Sacramento is a destination with broad appeal. This city exceeded all my expectations, and I already can’t wait to return. Here are 5 reasons why you should visit Sacramento.
Why You Should Visit Sacramento (At a Glance)
At a high level, here are the main reasons why I think you should check out Sacramento:
- Sacramento is a city on the rise: Experience the vibrant energy of one of California’s fastest-growing regions, filled with opportunities and a development boom bringing thousands of new residents.
- The history in Old Sacramento: Step back in time to the Gold Rush era with wooden sidewalks, horse-drawn carriages, and 19th-century buildings full of character.
- Riverside scenery: Enjoy the picturesque riverside along the Sacramento and American Rivers, perfect for outdoor activities like kayaking and cycling.
- Sacramento is a foodie paradise: Known as “America’s Farm to Fork Capital,” Sacramento offers an unmatched farm-to-table dining experience.
- Art scene and museums: Explore Sacramento’s rich art culture, from vibrant street murals to world-class museums.
Now, let’s dive into all the reasons you should visit in more depth!
1. Sacramento is a city on the rise
There’s something exciting about visiting up-and-coming cities, and Sacramento is truly the place to be right now.
The Sacramento region is one of the fastest-growing parts of California, fueled by a major housing and development boom in the city and surrounding communities. With a population of over 525,000, Sacramento is small compared to California’s better known cities, but it’s no less thriving.
Sacramento draws people with its affordable housing prices, booming job market, temperate climate, and farm-to-fork dining. It has also attracted a diverse, international cohort that further fuels the city’s food, music, and art scenes.
Before my Northern California trip, Sacramento wasn’t very high on my bucket list. However, after spending 48 hours here, I realized my expectations were all wrong and Sacramento was well worth the visit. I’m so glad Globus Journeys brought us to this incredible city to experience its charm firsthand!
2. The history in Old Sacramento
For history lovers, Old Sac alone it enough of a reason to visit Sacramento. Dating back to the days of the Gold Rush, this historic neighborhood is bursting with color and character.
Stroll down its raised wooden sidewalks, passing by 19th-century buildings, horse-drawn carriages, and rustic country stores and antique shops. In addition to shopping and people watching, Old Sacramento has a fantastic food scene with restaurants that look like they’re out of a Wild West film. With its historic charm and abundant attractions, Old Sacramento is a top place to visit in California’s capital.
3. Riverside scenery
Rivers add a unique flavor to any city, and Sacramento is no different. It’s situated on the Sacramento River and American River, offering beautiful waterfront views and opportunities for kayaking and whitewater rafting.
One of the most beautiful sights in the city is Tower Bridge, which lies along the Sacramento River. It connects West Sacramento with Yolo County, and it’s a picture-perfect sunset spot. From here, walk and bike ride along the river, or head to the other side of Old Sacramento where you can do the same things on the 32 miles of path along the American River.
Whether you’re into nature or boating, Sacramento’s riverfront setting will certainly pull you in.
4. Sacramento is a foodie paradise
Located in the Central Valley, which produces half of the fruits and vegetables grown in the US, Sacramento takes farm-to-table dining to a whole new level.
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The city is known as “America’s Farm to Fork Capital,” and it’s easy to see why. Farmers markets are all over the place, as are restaurants priding themselves on their locally sourced specialties. Sacramento is at the gateway of America’s most abundant agricultural region, so the word “organic” actually means something here.
Sacramento is a multicultural city with a diverse restaurant scene. So, expect to find pretty much every type of cuisine here, including Chinese, Ethiopian, Indian, Greek, Vietnamese, Japanese, Mexican, and more. For a deeper dive into the city’s standout farm-to-fork spots, check out my full guide to the restaurants that prove Sacramento’s farm-to-fork title is real.
In addition, food and drink festivals happen in Sacramento year-round, including Farm to Fork in late September. Other popular fairs and festivals include BerryFest, Capitol Beer Fest, and Legends of Wine. If you’re looking to taste California’s very best food, beer, and wine, look no further than Sacramento!
5. Art scene and museums
During my 2 days in Sacramento with Globus, I was very impressed by the city’s art scene. From traditional art museums to modern street murals, Sacramento is chock-full of color.
Take a stroll through Midtown, and you’ll be amazed by what you see. This eclectic neighborhood is home to trendy shops and restaurants, but the main draw is its street art and galleries. Perhaps the most iconic work of art here is the Johnny Cash Mural, which is 15 stories tall. It was created by Shepard Fairey, the artist who did Barack Obama’s “Hope” print during the 2008 presidential campaign.
Some notable museums you’ll want to check out in Sacramento include the Crocker Art Museum, Verge Center for the Arts, California State Railroad Museum, and California Automobile Museum. You can also access the California State Capitol Museum for no charge.
Another must-see in Sacramento is the Leland Stanford Mansion. Dating back to 1857, this beautiful mansion is just a short walk from Midtown. It’s one of the official workplaces of the California Governor.
Whether you’re looking for a fun rainy day activity or a deeper look at the city’s rich culture, you can’t go wrong seeing Sacramento’s art galleries and museums.
What’s new in Sacramento for 2026
Sacramento is having a moment, and 2026 brings some of the biggest changes the city has seen in years. Here’s what’s worth knowing before you book your trip:
Republic Stadium is rising in the Railyards
After breaking ground in August 2025, Sacramento Republic FC’s new home in the Railyards District is officially under construction. In March 2026, the team and ownership group Wilton Rancheria announced the project is expanding from the original 12,000 seats to a 20,000+ seat venue, complete with a canopy roof over every seat. The $350 million privately funded stadium is expected to open in 2028, and it will be the largest professional sports and entertainment venue in the region. Even mid-construction, it’s already reshaping downtown’s skyline and signaling Sacramento’s bigger sports ambitions, including a potential MLS expansion.
Farm-to-Fork Festival returns in late September
Sacramento’s signature culinary event, the Farm-to-Fork Festival, traditionally takes place during the last weekend of September, with the broader two-week Farm-to-Fork Celebration leading up to it (think Legends of Wine and the iconic Tower Bridge Dinner). The 2025 edition merged with the inaugural Terra Madre Americas summit, drawing over 100,000 people downtown. Watch farmtofork.com for the official 2026 dates and ticket release, which usually opens in mid-summer.
New exhibits at the Crocker Art Museum
The Crocker has two standout exhibitions running in early 2026 that are worth planning a visit around. “The Sense of Beauty: Six Centuries of Painting from Museo de Arte de Ponce” runs February 1 through May 24, 2026, featuring Old Master and 19th-century European works from one of Puerto Rico’s premier collections. “Rebels with La Causa” opens February 22 and runs through June 28, 2026, spotlighting Chicano art and activism. The long-running “Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art” also continues on view through January 2027.
Big nights at Golden 1 Center
Downtown’s Golden 1 Center has a packed 2026 calendar. The NBA California Classic returns July 4-6 (Kings, Warriors, Bucks, and Nets), with the Saturday “Battle of NorCal” matchup between the Kings and Warriors as the headliner. Parker McCollum plays June 20, 5 Seconds of Summer hits July 7, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey bring the new “Greatest Show on Earth” production through in September. Tickets and the full calendar are at golden1center.com.
Other reasons to visit Sacramento
If the above reasons aren’t enough to convince you to visit Sacramento, the nightlife and coffee culture will. It seems that every street corner in Sac has a bar and coffee house on it.
For coffee, Temple Coffee Roasters is the local benchmark. It’s been named one of the country’s best roasters year after year, and you’ll find locations in Downtown, Midtown, East Sac, Arden, and beyond. Old Soul Co. is the more rustic, character-filled alternative, with a flagship roastery tucked into a Midtown alley off 40 Acres that feels like a hidden speakeasy for caffeine lovers. Pachamama Coffee, owned by a cooperative of small farmers across five countries, is another favorite for sourcing-conscious sippers.
On the nightlife side, Midtown is the epicenter. Mercantile Saloon is a legendary LGBTQ+ dive bar that’s been pouring drinks on K Street since the 1970s. For cocktails, Shady Lady Saloon brings Prohibition-era vibes and one of the best craft cocktail programs in the city. Beer drinkers should head to Track 7 Brewing or New Helvetia Brewing for taproom hangs, while wine fans will love Revolution Wines, a working urban winery in Midtown where you can sip what’s made on-site. R Street Corridor is another nightlife hotspot worth wandering, with breweries, distilleries, and live music venues stacked along a few walkable blocks.
Between the cafes, the dive bars, the craft beer scene, and the live music, there’s always something to do in Sacramento. You won’t run out of reasons to visit California’s capital.
Hope you enjoyed reading this article on the many highlights of visiting Sacramento. There’s much more to Sac beyond being the state capital, so you’ll have to see this magical city for yourself.
To learn more about my Globus tour itinerary and other highlights of the trip, read next:
– Highlights of my First Group Tour
– How to Spend 72 Hours in Yosemite
– My Ultimate 2026 California Road Trip (I Give All My Friends)
Happy Travels!
Jon
Global Viewpoint is a personal blog. All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, medical, or legal advice.
