Matthew Guillory

Some say getting there is half the fun.  In Sacramento’s case, you can save 100 percent of the fun for when you arrive, because getting here is the easiest part.  We want you to be able to start enjoying great Sacramento attractions, accommodations and experiences as soon as possible.  And there are a variety of quick and easy ways to get here.  You just need to pick one. 

Here are four easy ways to get to Sacramento:

1. By Plane 
   Sacramento International Airport was recently named fourth best airport in North America for customer service by Airports Council International (ACI), the international trade association for commercial airports.  Sacramento International Airport is the gateway to Northern California and the world.  It offers 11 airlines and 130 nonstop flights a day with service to major West Coast cities plus Maui; Honolulu; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Phoenix; New York; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Las Vegas; Guadalajara and more.  In 2012, Sacramento International Airport served 8.9 million passengers.
   
   Sacramento International Airport is located 10 minutes from Downtown Sacramento hotels and attractions.  Related: Top 12 Things You May Not Know About Sacramento International Airport  

2. By Train 
   It doesn’t matter if you are starting out in Northern California or if Sacramento is just another stop on a long Northern California itinerary: Seeing our beautiful region by train is an experience in itself.  Amtrak links Sacramento to the Bay Area, the Central Valley and beyond.  Traveling by train is convenient, scenic and easy.  And our historic train station is located Downtown, steps from Old Sacramento and Downtown Sacramento hotels, shops and attractions.  Click here for more information about Amtrak routes, trains and pricing.  Related: Five Reasons To Travel To Sacramento By Train. 
    
3. By Automobile 
   Sacramento is one of California’s most accessible cities by car.  Whether you are coming to Sacramento from the Bay Area, the coast, the Central Valley or the Sierras, the Sacramento region is easy to access.  While drivers should be mindful of usual rush hour times, Sacramento traffic is far less of an obstacle than many other large California cities.  Also, Downtown Sacramento features a great deal of affordable parking for visitors.  Click here for maps of Downtown Sacramento, the Sacramento region, off-street parking and more.
    
4. By Bus/Motorcoach
5. When you are traveling to Sacramento with your group, we know you pay close attention to how easy and convenient it will be to park and access your motorcoach.  Our Tourism team will work with your group to make sure all aspects of bringing your motorcoach to Sacramento are fully taken care of.   Click here to email the Tourism team about bringing your group to Sacramento by motorcoach.  If you are traveling to Sacramento by Greyhound, you will be able to enjoy our new 10,000-square-foot LEED-certified terminal that features six bus bays, a sleek modern design and an onsite restaurant serving hot meals and snacks.  Related:  All Aboard! Five Ways Sacramento Gives You a Hassle-Free and Value-Added Motorcoach Experience.

    

   California begins here in Sacramento, but we realize that your California itinerary might not.  These 4 ways to get here make it easy to fit Sacramento into your Northern California itinerary.  For more information about Sacramento, please visit us at www.visitsacramento.com.

    

The Sacramento region has played a huge part in the history of America.  In Sacramento, nestled in with all of the modern amenities of a world-class city, there is an appreciation for our region’s history and the contributions we continue to make to the American culture.  We are proud to give visitors to Sacramento an all-American experience, showcasing our history, culture and the celebration of our “Old West” heritage.  From our role in the great California Gold Rush and the great American migration to America’s greatest pastime, Sacramento is a true slice of Americana.

Here are 10 Sacramento-area attractions that will show you the best of the Old West, American traditions and all the latest fads.

• Sutter’s Fort - See what was once called the “capital” of a settlement known today as Sacramento. Established in 1839 by John A. Sutter, a German-born Swiss entrepreneur, Sutter’s Fort marks a pivotal point in the history of California and westward migration. The fort was a self-sufficient community that served as Sacramento’s original commerce center, offering supplies and rest to pioneers coming west.  Learn about life in this settlement through costumed reenactments and interactive displays.
   
• Marshall Gold Discovery State Park - Stand in the exact spot where John Marshall discovered gold in 1848, setting off one of the most significant migrations the world has ever seen. The tiny town of Coloma, with its various Gold Rush-era structures and cemetery, is located about an hour east of downtown Sacramento.
   
• Old Sacramento - Step back in time to the days of the Gold Rush.  Against the Sacramento River as a backdrop and set amongst recreated or restored Gold Rush-era buildings, wooden plank sidewalks and horse-drawn carriages are more than 125 boutique shops, restaurants, attractions and museums – all within walking distance of several downtown Sacramento hotels.

• Military Museum – Located within Old Sacramento and other downtown Sacramento attractions, this museum is the official military museum and historical research center of the State of California.  The museum houses more than 33,000 artifacts and a substantial library of archives focusing on California’s rich, but sometimes unknown, military history.

• Caifornia State Railroad Museum - Learn about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and how trains have shaped people's lives, the economy and the unique culture of California and the West. With 21 meticulously restored locomotives and cars, the museum is widely regarded as one of North America’s finest and most visited railroad museums.

• Sacramento History Museum - The Gold Rush is only part of the story. The Sacramento History Museum is a reproduction of the 1854 City Hall and Waterworks. It explores Sacramento’s city founders, the Gold Rush, industry and more.

• Sacramento Wineries – California is known the world over for its superb wines, and some of its finest are made right here in Sacramento.  From the rustic California Delta to the oak tree-dotted foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Sacramento’s wine region is one of the most diverse and scenic you’ll find anywhere.

• California State Capitol – California’s economy is one of the 10 largest economies in the world.  Laws made in Sacramento play a major part in American politics.  Learn what makes California’s capital tick at the California State Capitol.  Opened to visitors in 1869, the State Capitol features changing museum exhibits and historical rooms offering a view into California’s political past while the rest of the building acts as a “living museum.”

• Raley Field – You can’t get a better American experience that sitting back and enjoying America’s pastime.  Raley Field is the home of the 2008 PCL Champions the River Cats, and it is located within walking distance of Old Sacramento, downtown dining and downtown Sacramento hotels.

• Shopping – We love to shop in America, and Sacramento is home to a variety of shopping destinations that offer a variety of stores to please all types of shoppers.  From big box classic American mall stores to locally owned specialty stores to high-end designer shops, we have it all here in Sacramento.

We are here to help you plan your “All-American” experience in Sacramento.  Contact us for more information about planning a group tour to Sacramento or visit our website for more information.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to experience a true Sacramento Fam trip? We had the opportunity to host 10 travel and tourism professionals from the UK (and one donkey mascot) on the Visit California SuperFam 2012.  We only had a little more than 24 hours to show them some of the best Sacramento and Gold Country sites, attractions, museums and accommodations.  And we thought we'd Tweet our adventures to share with you.

And here's what some of our followers and partners had to say about the trip:

Of course, 24 hours is not nearly long enough to showcase all that Sacramento tourism has to offer, but you can always contact us to learn more about the services we can offer your group.  From Sacramento recreation to museums and downtown dining, we are your one-stop shop for your groups' needs.

Click here to follow us on Twitter.

Getting there is half the fun, right?  Many lucky travelers have had a chance to experience the incredible new Terminal B at Sacramento International Airport.  But you may be surprised by the things you don’t know about traveling to and from Sacramento via SMF.  Here are some features, factoids and fun tips you should know about Sacramento International Airport.  

1. You can fly nonstop to Sacramento from 29 cities throughout the U.S. and Mexico including New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver, Houston, Dallas and Guadalajara.
    
2. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) has the best access to all of Northern California’s wine regions, from Napa to the Gold Country, with more than 200 wineries within a one-hour drive from the airport.  Check out Sacramento’s Regional Wine Guide website to plan your wine tour.
    
3. There’s a whisper dome just past the security checkpoint in the Terminal A concourse.
    
4. SMF is a tech-savvy traveler’s dream, with free WiFi and bunches of electrical and USB outlets in both terminals. In Terminal A, look for the laptop bars in the food court and special seating near the gates. Terminal B also offers laptop bars in the food court. Plus, every B gate features pod seating with individual electrical/USB outlets at each chair.  In fact, Sacramento International Airport was ranked as #5 most tech-friendly commercial airport in the country by PCWorld magazine.
    
5. Both terminals feature an extensive and permanent public art collection, with pieces by local, regional and national artists. Brian Goggin’s giant suitcase sculpture “Samson” in Terminal A baggage claim is a popular spot for photos. In Terminal B, a 56’ long red rabbit called “Leap” is suspended from the ceiling. The rabbit, designed by Lawrence Argent, is diving into a giant granite suitcase on the baggage claim floor.
    
6. Lawrence Argent buried a signed copy of his “I See What You Mean” blue bear sculpture under the “Leap” sculpture’s granite suitcase.
    
7. The least expensive transportation at the airport is the public Yolo Bus. It takes you from the airport to downtown Sacramento once an hour for only $2.00.  You can be let off steps from downtown Sacramento hotels and attractions.
    
8. All rental cars at SMF are located in a separate rental car terminal, which is a short shuttle ride from the airline terminals.
    
9. The Automated People Mover takes less than a minute to travel from the B concourse to the check-in/baggage claim in Terminal B.
    
10. SMF features award-winning concessions in both Terminals. Airport Revenue News honored SMF with the Best Airport Concessions Program design award for medium airports in 2012 and the Best Customer Service award for medium airports in 2011.
     
11. Terminal B is the first airport terminal to achieve LEED® Silver status in two new buildings constructed at the same time from the U.S. Green Building Council and is the largest airport terminal in the U.S. to achieve LEED Silver certification.
     
12. In July 2012, Travel and Leisure Magazine named Terminal B as one of the “coolest new airport terminals.”

 Visit www.smf.aero for more information.

Step-on guides can be a tour operator’s best friend.  Tour operators put a lot of faith in these guides to enhance the experience of their travelers while working to seamlessly fit into their itinerary.  The Sacramento CVB works with step-on guide providers, such as Cal-Events, to provide knowledgeable, friendly and competitively priced step-on guides who will fit easily into your itineraries and give your travelers the best visit to Sacramento attractions, museums and more.  Here are 5 things you should know about using step-on guides and how to work with the Sacramento CVB to ensure your group gets the best experience possible.

1. Use only the best.  We work with companies that use Certified Tour Directors for your tours.  These guides are informed and trained to answer your clients’ questions and to show them the best of each destination.  Step-on guides will ensure your clients’ questions are answered and they get the most out of each destination with personal and professional service.  From Sacramento student travel to biking and Gold Rush history, these guides have you covered.
    
2. Use the same company for your entire California itinerary.  For example, Cal-Events can provide a step-on service anywhere in the State of California.  They have access to hundreds of Certified Tour Directors throughout the state – Sacramento, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco as well as points between.
    
3. Tell us exactly what your group needs.  We pair step-on guides with a group based on a few criteria.  We want to make sure your group gets exactly what they need from their step-on guide.  Let us know the age-range of the group.  What are the interests of the group?  For example, would they want to know more about architecture, gardens, general history, etc.?  If there is a designated group leader, we will let the Certified Tour Director know.
    
4. Know what a Step-On Guide cannot do.  Step-on guides are not allowed to assist any non-ambulatory guest.  This includes pushing wheelchairs.  Also, step-on guides will not be able to add anything to an itinerary that would cost additional funds that have not been previously arranged and paid for.  The SCVB will be happy to go over any add-ons to your itinerary and plan those in advance for you.  Tours also must begin and end in such a manner that the step-on guide has access to their transportation home.  And the guide cannot take the motorcoach anywhere the driver deems unsafe.
    
5. Call the Sacramento CVB to arrange your step-on guide service.  We are here to assist you in implementing step-on guides into your itinerary.  We are here to help you plan your itinerary so you can ensure your clients come to Sacramento and receive the best service with the best rates.

Contact us today to learn more about step-on guides for your itinerary or all of the other services we provide for your clients’ visits to Sacramento.  Email us at tourism@discovergold.org for all information about Sacramento tourism and to begin planning your itinerary today. 

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.