Matthew Guillory

Sometimes traveling isn’t pleasant.  Gas prices, traffic jams and other factors can cause major anxiety on the way to your destination.  The trip to the destination is considered the means to an end.  Getting there could be considered the hard part.  What if the trip to the destination was part of the fun?  The Capitol Corridor is an excellent and convenient way to travel to Sacramento from the Bay Area.  There are several reasons you should consider using Amtrak and the Capitol Corridor when planning your next trip to Sacramento.

1. Convenience.  The Capitol Corridor provides direct train service to 16 stations along a 170-mile rail corridor between the Sierra Foothills, Sacramento, the Bay Area and Silicon Valley/San Jose.  Dedicated bus routes extend the service to various communities in Northern California.  If you live in Northern California and want to visit great Sacramento attractions, chances are you live conveniently close to one of these stations. 
2. Location.  The Sacramento Amtrak station is located in downtown Sacramento, walking distance from several Sacramento museums, hotels, attractions, shopping and restaurants.  Old Sacramento and the famous California State Railroad Museum are two blocks away from the station.  The train will drop you off in the heart of Sacramento – get off the train and start enjoying your vacation immediately.
3. Options.  There are several different ticket options tailored to your needs.  Discounts and promotions are often available for seniors, children, disabled persons and members of select organizations.  Amtrak also routinely offers specials to all of their riders, depending on the season.  Group travelers and frequent business travelers can also be eligible for special rates and discounts.  Plus, some Sacramento hotels offer special packages for travelers of the Capitol Corridor.
4. Stay Connected.  Did you know that Amtrak now offers free WiFi to passengers?  You don’t have to miss a thing when you travel.  You can plug your electronic devices into one of several surge-protected outlets located throughout the cabins, connect to the free WiFi and conduct your business without any interruptions or expensive fees.
5. Bring Your Own Connection.  Based on availability, you can bring your bicycle with you when traveling the Capitol Corridor.  The Sacramento area has world-class biking trails, including the American River Parkway, available for all cycling enthusiasts.  Sacramento is also a bike-friendly city with an abundance of bicycle racks for storage and bicycle lanes for travel.  Bring your bicycle, and enjoy all the fun things to do in Sacramento at your own pace.

Getting to Sacramento has never been easier and more convenient.  The Capitol Corridor is an excellent way to experience Sacramento.  Click here for more information about the Capitol Corridor.  Please visit our website to learn more about Sacramento attractions, accommodations and more to help you plan your visit to the Capital City.

Your motorcoach is essential to your group.  And it is also essential your motorcoach seamlessly fits into your scheduled itinerary.  Sacramento is a motorcoach-friendly destination with many options to ensure your motorcoach is staged, loaded, unloaded and parked with ease in reasonable time.  Here are five ways the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau can ease your motorcoach worries:

The SCVB is constantly signing on new partners that can be beneficial to your group.  We are able to work with our partners to give your groups the best possible experiences in Sacramento for the best price.  We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to a few of our new partners.

• Gold Country Wine Tours takes visitors on an unforgettable wine tour through the beautiful Gold Country.  The Sierra Foothills of Amador County offer some of the most beautiful sites and oldest vineyards in Northern California.  These vineyards offer a great wine tasting experience, less commercialized and less congested than Napa or Sonoma.

• Earthtrek Expeditions outfits adventurous travelers for rafting trips on the American River.  Established in 1977, Earthtrek has been providing professional and quality services to rafters for the last 30 years.  Eartrek’s base is located less than one hour from downtown Sacramento and is a perfect fit for our more adventurous groups.

• Sacramento Children’s Museum opened its doors for the first time this month to excited children and grateful parents.  This stimulating and educational center is designed for children from birth to age 8.  The Sacramento Children’s Museum believes that “play” is part of a child’s “work.”  The SCVB is excited to have this new museum as a partner and a possible destination for your groups with younger children.

Our relationships with our partners allow us to be able to get you the best deal – at no cost to you. Please email us at tourism@discovergold.org to learn more about how the SCVB can organize the best possible visit to any of our new partners. 

• Tales of the Central City – An Overview of Early Sacramento History explains how Sacramento became California’s Capital City as you walk the original route of the famed Pony Express. 
• Structural Stories – Local Examples of Historical Architecture Styles showcases iconic Sacramento architecture such as the renaissance-style Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and the art deco Crest Theatre. 
• Art is All Around Us – A Tour of Sacramento’s Collection of Art in Public Places showcases works of art that have been permanently installed into downtown Sacramento’s buildings and natural environments. 
• Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow – K Street Commerce, Growth and Redevelopment features the history of Sacramento’s first commercial district, which began as a vaudeville and entertainment hotspot, as well as the future developments planned for the historic district.
• The Art of Terra Cotta – An Architecture Tour Featuring Local Clay Artisans Gladding McBean highlights downtown Sacramento’s best examples of terra cotta and the contribution of the famous studio to Sacramento and the world.

So what do international travelers need to know before planning a trip to Sacramento? It is important for our international guests to be aware of the rules and regulations involving the procurement of a visa for travel to the United States. The U.S. Department of State has provided an excellent resource for all International travelers looking to visit the United States for leisure travel. 

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is available to nationals of 36 participating countries. If a country meets various security requirements, its eligible citizens are allowed entry into the United States without a visa if they are visiting for less than 90 days for tourism or business. This program was created to allow guests from these 36 countries to travel to the United States without having to go through unnecessary and time consuming barriers. Click here for a list of the 36 eligible countries and more information on the VWP.

Citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda are not participants in the Visa Waiver Program. Click here for information about entry to the United States for citizens of these countries.

Finally, citizens of countries that are not participants in the VWP should not worry about entry into the United States. The U.S. encourages travelers from all countries to choose us as a destination for leisure and business travel. Advance planning is always the key to navigating the visa application process. If you apply for your visa well in advance of your travel, you should be able to enjoy a seamless entry into the United States. Click here for more information about obtaining a temporary visa.

And once you have researched how easy it is to plan your vacation in the United States, we want you to consider Sacramento as a top destination. The Capital City is the perfect start for your Northern California getaway. Rich in Gold Rush history, Sacramento boasts some of the best attractions from museums to restaurants to outdoor activities. Sacramento is also the perfect “Hub-and-Spoke” location to serve as your gateway to all of Northern California. Centrally located, Sacramento is driving distance from the best of Northern California.

We invite you to “Discover Gold” in Sacramento. Contact the SCVB to assure you are given the best tools and deals for your seamless travel to Sacramento.