Sacramento California Attractions

The Hyatt Regency in Downtown Sacramento opened its doors for the first time 25 years ago, and since then, it has maintained a AAA Four-Diamond rating. Just steps from the Sacramento Convention Center, the Hyatt is centrally located for meeting planners and tourists alike, who can walk to the major Sacramento tourist attractions from its front door.

To celebrate 25 years in business, the Hyatt recently gave away 25 rooms for $25 per night to people who had stayed at the hotel 25 years ago. Soon, the Hyatt will announce another promotion – giving $25 hotel rooms to couples who had their wedding receptions on the grounds. For more information on that, follow the hotel’s Facebook page.

Two of the people who stayed at the Hyatt in its opening year were Dennis and Kathryn Raymond, who spent their first night as a married couple in the then-new Hyatt.

In the last 25 years, Kathryn, an artist who painted with others during the opening of the Crocker Art Museum’s new wing in 2010, said she has been to several charity events at the hotel.

Dennis, an executive with F&M Bank, said the layout is similar, but the Hyatt has been upgraded over the years to maintain a fresh and inviting look.

The Raymonds in the lobby of the Hyatt in 2013.

But what does the couple remember most about the hotel from their first stay?

“Room service,” Kathryn said with a laugh. “We were starving after our wedding reception, because we barely got to eat. No one tells you beforehand, but you spend all your time socializing and then afterward you realize how hungry you are.”

Dennis said he remembers eating big portions of whatever sounded good on the menu, including breaded cheese sticks and spaghetti.

“It was really good, and the service was excellent,” he said.

As newlyweds, the Raymonds – who lived in Sacramento – took advantage of a lower rate for local residents before heading off to their honeymoon on the Northern California coast in Mendocino.

“We were excited, because we’d never really felt so grown-up before, and here we were as a married couple staying in the nicest and newest hotel in the city,” Dennis said.

Today, the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, located at 1209 L St., remains one of the city’s flagship hotels, situated on the recently revitalized downtown section of K Street, it is just feet from the Sacramento Convention Center and overlooks the Capitol and Capitol Park.

Are you and your closest compatriots longing to take an exciting trip together?  Well look no further. Sacramento is sure to entertain both ladies and gentlemen alike.  Groups of friends looking to get away for a "guys" or "girls" trip will find a variety of fun and entertaining Sacramento attractions combined with affordable rates and great values.  Sacramento has something for everyone, and we are here to help you plan your next visit to California's capital city.

For the Guys:

1.       GOLF: A fan of the links? Sacramento and the Sacramento region offer more than 20 golf courses for you to tackle.
2.       BEER: Who doesn’t love an excuse to bond over some brews? Sacramento has a thriving beer scene, complete with both local breweries and brewpubs. Craft your own crawl.
3.       RAFTING: Sacramento’s two rivers provide great opportunities for outdoor recreation. Whether it be a scenic float or a whitewater adventure that you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.  See also:  Disconnect in Sacramento.
4.       TAKE A COOKING CLASS: Polish your culinary skills during a session with Community Tap and Table, where you’ll learn to pair amazing beers with gourmet (locally sourced) cuisine.
5.       PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES: The more mechanically inclined will enjoy at least three of Sacramento’s museums in particular. Check out a Blue Angels fighter jet at the Aerospace Museum of California, climb aboard a restored train at the California Railroad Museum or take one of the tune-up classes offered by the California Automobile Museum.

For the Gals:

1.       SPA DAY: Pamper yourself at one of Sacramento’s many fine day spas. Group packages are very popular.
2.       WINE TASTING: There are more than 200 wineries in the Sacramento region, and numerous tasting rooms and wine bars are located in the downtown area.  Click here to visit our Sacramento Regional Wine Guide.
3.       LADIES’ DAY AT THE BALLPARK: Enjoy some sunshine and baseball at Raley Field while you take in a River Cats game.
4.       SHOPPING: From outlets to boutiques to vintage stores, Sacramento has it all.
5.       SIP 'N' PAINT: While you hold a glass of wine in one hand and a brush in the other, Aimee from Creative Juices Events will teach you how to paint a lovely picture.

Now that we’ve given you just a taste of Sacramento’s offerings, what are you waiting for? You and your friends are certainly overdue for some quality bonding time.  Please visit our website for ideas about planning your next trip to Sacramento.  If you are a tour operator planning a "Girlfriend Getaway" or "Mancation" for one of your groups, email us to help you create the best itinerary.

Whenever people visit Sacramento, there are a few spots that consistently come to mind. Old Sacramento and Tower Bridge are iconic locations in the capital city, but there are far more hidden gems that the locals know and like to showcase.

Our fans come from near and far, and they enjoy sharing their favorite photos of the city. Share your photos with us by posting on our Facebook timeline or sending us a message with your photo.

Tower Bridge, which is more than 75 years old, remains one of Sacramento's landmarks, and both residents and visitors enjoy taking shots of it from every angle. Tracy Counts took this shot of the bridge at night with cars flashing by, seen only by the streaks of their headlights.

Just across Tower Bridge from Sacramento is West Sacramento, home of the Sacramento River Cats baseball team. The season just kicked off, and the games at Raley Field are always a great time. Go to the ballgame with family, friends or a date and have a blast. The view from the stadium area is also pretty nice, as can be seen in this photo from Leslie Prétot.

When you go see a River Cats game, it's a short walk into Old Sacramento for a dinner or drinks on the river or browsing local specialty shops. While the Sacramento weather is usually bright and sunny, we occasionally get cloudy and rainy days in the winter months, and they can give a different feel to the city, as captured in this shot by Lisa Ouellette.

Most of the time, however, when Sacramentans see clouds, it's far less ominous. Shane Hunt said he likes to check out the cloud reflections in the glass front of the U.S. Bank Tower on Capitol Mall. Capitol Mall connects Tower Bridge to the state Captiol, which is open for tours of the building as well as rotating historical artifacts in the museum. The Capitol Mall Farmers Market is also held on the space, and the Farm-to-Fork Festival will be held on Capitol Mall Sept. 28.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the central business district is William Land Park, which is loved by locals and visitors alike. Attractions within the park include the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town, but the park itself is an attraction. Bring some birdseed and feed the ducks, or just pass the time relaxing in the sun or the shade. Melissa Rehurek took this photo of one of the fountains in the park with the ducks.

If you're looking to connect with a piece of Sacramento history, a visit to the California State Railroad Museum is in order. You can see numerous locomotives and train cars at the museum, and you can even take a train on one of the museum's excursions. Located in Old Sacramento at 125 I St., it's within walking distance from Downtown Sacramento hotels. History of the railroad may be captured in the museum, but the Sacramento area remains one of the major railroad hubs in the country, and Ulysses Goose Simmons took a photo of this train at the nearby Roseville railyards.

Sacramento is a photogenic city, and while we at the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau are always out and about with our cameras, we wanted to know what some of our fans think, so we asked them to submit photos to us of what they love about Sacramento.

Check our Facebook page every weekend for our fan photos, and submit your own.

Carlos Eliason took this photo at the American River Bike Trail entrance on C Street north of Downtown Sacramento at sunset. Sacramento is a bicycle-friendly city, and the American River Bike Trail can take riders from Downtown and Midtown all the way out to Folsom Lake.

Another fan-submitted photo came from CJ Torres, who shot this photo of the I Street Bridge. The bridge connects Sacramento and West Sacramento, and it turned 100 years old in 2011. At 36 feet long and weighing in at about 7 million pounds, according to Union Pacific, the bridge is balanced and rotates on a central pillar to allow boats to pass down the Sacramento River.

This shot of public art on "The Kay" was taken by John T. Freeman from the Sacramento Convention Center. "The Kay" is the downtown portion of K Street, which has seen a resurgence over the past several years. Once blighted, the district now boasts a host of restaurants and nightlife venues, and two theaters - the Esquire IMAX and the Crest Theatre - have long called the street home.

A quick walk from the convention center is the Capitol, seen in this photo by David Godfrey. Sacramento is the star on California’s map, and the Capitol and Capitol Park are popular attractions. Student groups come here to learn about democracy and California history, and visitors and locals alike wander through Capitol Park, picnicking and checking out the sights.

One off-the-beaten path spot in Sacramento is Southside Park, located at 2115 Sixth St., captured in this photo from Ulysses Goose Simmons. With Downtown Sacramento visible over the treetops, it can still be hard to believe that you’re near the heart of a city when you’re in Southside Park. A leisurely bike ride from the central business district, Southside Park helps Sacramento earn its “City of Trees” honors.

Bridges are popular with visitors and locals alike, and Jacob Gonzalez shot this photo of Sacramento’s iconic Tower Bridge from West Sacramento, just on the other side of the bridge from Old Sacramento, a 28-acre National Historic Landmark District and State Historic Park celebrating the city’s Gold Rush heritage.

Many tourism professionals look for that extra value add-on when planning their group tours.  We want you to take advantage of the many incentives the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau Tourism Department can offer by arranging your group travel through us.  We offer different types of incentives for all of our different types of groups.  From student groups to adult groups, we can add something extra to give your customers a better Sacramento tourism experience and to help you sell your tours to Sacramento.

Adult Groups:

For our adult groups, we offer several different types of meet-and-greet opportunities.  Our staff is happy to meet your group and answer any questions members may have about their visit to Sacramento.  We can also arrange for “Living History” characters to greet your group.  And for guests staying for a minimum of two nights, we are happy to provide a welcome wine and cheese reception at your hotel.  Our wine and cheese receptions have become popular with our groups because we feature wines from local vineyards.  And who doesn’t like to discuss upcoming visits to Sacramento attractions over a glass of wine?

Of course, we are always glad to provide brochures, Sacramento Visitors’ Guides and souvenir gold nugget pins for our groups.

Student Groups:

As California's capital city, student tourism is very important to us in Sacramento.  We are happy to arrange meet and greets for students visiting Sacramento as well.  Our “Living History” characters provide a great educational and fun experience for all of our student visitors.  We offer free Student Activity books and souvenir Sacramento backpacks for groups staying overnight in Sacramento hotels.  We could even offer a cookie and punch reception to overnight guests.  Click here for more information about Sacramento student tourism.  Related:  How We Help Create Student Experiences That Last a Lifetime; 5 Things the SCVB Can Do to Make Your Sacramento Student Travel Trip Easy

We are willing to do whatever it takes to make your groups feel comfortable upon arriving in Sacramento.  We are happy to help you get the most out of your Sacramento tourism experience by creating custom itineraries, gathering suitable Sacramento accommodation, restaurant and motorcoach options as well as assisting with reservations for attractions and much more.  And we do this completely free of charge. 

So, please email me (leldred@cityofsacramento.org)  today to learn how I can help you plan your group’s next trip to Sacramento.

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.

    

Sacramento weather is fairly consistent, so when you are planning to travel to Sacramento, you should know what to expect - no matter how far in advance you plan your trip. 

While I was  living abroad, Swedes always responded with a very puzzled look whenever I mentioned my hometown. “Why would you ever leave California? Your weather is great,” they’d say while gazing wistfully out the window on yet another cold and miserably dark Swedish winter day. Prior to moving away, I had always enjoyed Sacramento’s relatively balmy climate and countless hours of sunshine, but surviving several harsh Northern European winters really gave me an increased appreciation for the weather here. It’s awesome.

With an average yearly temperature of around 61°, it’s not hard to see why this is. Sacramento boasts a Mediterranean climate. This means damp, mild winters and warmer, drier summers. The weather is also relatively consistent and predictable. If it’s sunny in the morning, chances are it will remain that way throughout the day and you won’t need to plan for a possible freak thundershower.

Fall is filled with colorful leaves and perfectly crisp temperatures. Expect an average of 55°-70° during the months of September through November - great weather for visiting Apple Hill to sample ciders, pies and wine.

The winter months are seldom too wet and almost never too cold. The folks in Downtown Sacramento can sometimes be seen walking around in short sleeves and skirts during the months of January and February. It rarely (less than five times in the last 113 years) snows here, and there are only a handful of days where the temperature fails to reach 50°. And if that’s still too cold, there are more than enough Sacramento museums, attractions and dining options for you to explore – or catch a film at the historic Crest Theatre.

Spring brings with it bountiful greenery as the city’s many trees (Sacramento County is home to more than 6 million) begin  to sprout new leaves. This is a great time to catch a River Cats game or stroll around the Capitol grounds and rose garden. Temperatures are mild – usually between the high 50s and low 70s – and the “wettest” months of the year have already passed.

Sacramento summers offer the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the city’s two rivers and other outdoor Sacramento recreation. Cool off on a rafting trip or by enjoying a day at Raging Waters. Summer is also a great time to savor an alfresco dinner at one of the city’s many restaurants.  Though it does get a little warmer during this time of year, the average temperature from June - August is still only 72°-75°. The days can get hot, but the famed “delta breeze” also kicks in nearly every evening. At my house, we sleep with the windows open and the air conditioner off practically every night. Sacramento has been noted as one of the sunniest locations on the planet for four months out of the year. In July, the city averages more than14 hours of sunlight a day.

Given this information, it’s not hard to see why the Swedes were so envious of my status as a native Californian. I come from a place that has more or less perfect weather, year-round. It’s nice to be home.

For more information about planning your trip to Sacramento, visit our website or email us at nleonti@cityofsacramento.org. 

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.

This Week: Give Your Heart to Dreamy Events
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		Special Events: Hearts for the Arts Benefit Event The Temp Gallery Feb 26 Tues 6pm-9pm Join over 40 artists as their "heart-works" are auctioned off by David Sobon. Enjoy small bites, wine tasting, and live music by Clemon Charles.
		Theatre: A Midsummer Night's Dream Sacramento Theatre Company Feb 27-March 24 Wed & Thurs 12:30pm & 6:30pm; Fri 8pm; Sat 2pm & 8pm; Sun 2pm Join for one of the Bard's most beloved plays-a celebration for lovers filled with mischief and moonlight!
		Film: Fashion on Film Premiere Fusion International Arts Center Feb 27 Wed 7pm-9pm See fashion as you've never seen it before in this multi-faceted cinema event. Meet the artists, see live fashion, & enjoy drinks.
		Nightlife: Wolfgang Gartner Sunrise Event Center Feb 28 Thurs 9pm In the often serious world of dance music, it's good to see somebody still having a bit of fun. Meet Wolfgang Gartner, a seasoned veteran of the music industry with a robust discography.
		Nightlife: Das Bootsy LowBrau March 1 Fri 5pm-2am Enjoy liter boots of Weinstephaner as part of Sacramento Beer Week. DJ Whores and a live polka band perform at 9pm. Lederhosen encouraged!
		Music: Thao & The Get Down Stay Down Blue Lamp Lounge March 1 Fri 8:30pm Indie folk band Thao & The Get Down Stay Down bring their sound to Sacramento!
		Sports/Rec: Undy 5000 5K Run/Walk William Land Park March 2 Sat 9am Grab the kids and grab the dog, but leave your pants at home. Run in your underwear while raising awareness of colon cancer.
		Kids & Fam: Dr. Seuss' Birthday Celebration Fairytale Town March 2 Sat 11am-3pm Celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday with Seuss-themed hands-on activities and crafts. Join for a unique nonstop reading of your favorite colorful, tongue-twisting, rhyming Seuss books.
		Food/Wine: Capital Beerfest Cal Expo March 2 Sat Noon-5pm Celebrate the close of Sacramento Beer Week with one of the largest beer festivals in Northern California. Capital Beerfest attracts almost 90 breweries, including every Sacramento-area brewery.
		Festivals: Sac-Con: Sacramento Comic, Toy, and Anime Show Scottish Rite Center March 3 Sun 10am-5pm This event is a celebration of pop culture entertainment specializing in comic books, toys, video games, Japanese animation, costuming, and much more.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Our Hometown Tourists visited the California Automobile Museum on their most recent excursion.  The following blog includes accounts by Janet Lewis and Carol Dabrowiak with photos by Cynthia Gibbs detailing their visit to this Sacramento attraction.  When you stay at a participating Sacramento Gold Card hotel, remember to ask for your FREE Sacramento Gold Card.  The California Automobile Museum offers two-for-one adult admission and a 10 percent discount in gift shop with your Sacramento Gold Card. THe California Automobile Museum is located at 2200 Front St. near Old Sacramento.

Janet Lewis

Did you know that there were electric cars as early as 1899?  One version was steered with a rudder!  Did you know that Dodge vehicles are the inventions of the Dodge brothers?  That the earliest automobiles got about 40 horsepower from a 400-cubic-inch engine - a ratio of 10:1?  And that now we have more like 1:1?  It can all be found at this Sacramento attraction located a short distance from downtown Sacramento hotels, restaurants and other museums.

From the quadricycle to horseless carriages (literally), from touring cars to the modern age, it's all pretty fascinating when you can hear the stories from people who know what they are talking about. 

Cindy, Carol, and I really lucked out to receive a docent-led tour on our recent visit to the California Auto Museum.  Don W's obvious passion and enjoyment of autos and auto history definitely ignited my interest and made me want to pause and actually try to figure out how the energy gets from the engine to the wheels, as well as the mechanical principles used to stop the early autos. 

It was fun to climb in the historic old truck on display and try out the foot pedals inside and the hand crank on the front (watch out for your thumbs).  Of course brightly colored, stylish vehicles caught my eye, especially the 1920s yellow-and-green roadster all trimmed out in fancy brass.  I could easily imagine Carol, Cindy and myself gliding up to the Grand Island mansion on a summer night in our fancy flapper getup for a swanky party!  Then there is the sparkly golden car and the dark turquoise vintage T-Bird, each vehicle cooler than the last, until I fell in love -- with the Edsel! 

The California Automobile Museum had several choice Edsel examples on display the day we visited.  The red-and-black sedan turned my head, but my favorite is the light turquoise woody Edsel station wagon (surf city here I come).  We even saw a Mercedes that strongly resembled Cindy's first car.  And Carol was intrigued with the Delorean and its wing-like doors.   

There is so much to see if you can find a way to know what you are looking at.  A docent-led tour is definitely the way to go!  The California Auto Museum is a big place - 70,000 square feet.  Plans and fundraising are under way for a new museum building at the same location.  You can help:  Go see the amazing exhibits at the California Automobile Museum. 

Carol Dabrowiak

If you need to hold an event or arrange a group tour, why not have it at the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento?  This would be a really fun and interesting place to have a business meeting, reception or a group of tourists for a visit.  The museum is located near Downtown Sacramento, close to many hotels and other Sacramento attractions. It has a stage and sound system where a band can perform or you can conduct a training session. Staff can set up tables for banquets, parties, wine tasting and more. The best part would be the chance to tour the museum and learn the history of the American automobile. But you don't need to be invited to an event to visit the exhibits.

The museum is housed in a large warehouse along the Sacramento River near Downtown Sacramento. It doesn't look very fancy on the outside, but it is ideal for the display of automobiles. It has vintage cars from every decade since the first car was built in the late 1800s. The early vehicles were horseless carriages. They used buckboard seats and wheels with wooden spokes. There were no tops or headlights, and you had to crank them to start the motor.

Our docent, Don, told us facts about the cars on display. He quickly realized that Janet, Cindy and I were not so interested in the evolution of carburetors or transmissions, so he told us stories about Henry Ford and how he built his empire.  Ford didn't invent the automobile, he invented the automobile industry. He wanted everyone to be able to afford a car, so he constantly looked for ways to bring down costs. He used assembly line mass production and set up dealer franchises around the country.  By 1916, Model T sales reached 472,000 vehicles at a cost of $360 each.  Originally the cars had steering wheels on the left, but Mrs. Ford wanted to exit the vehicle on the right side so she could step onto the sidewalk. So the steering wheel was moved to the left side of the car.

We learned that a lot of the cars are on loan to the museum. The owners can come by and borrow them back if they want to go to rallies or auto shows. Most of the cars, even the really old ones, are still drivable. The cars are sometimes used for parades, weddings and processions.

The California Automobile Museum encourages school field trips. It has hands-on activities geared to every age group. One of the activities recreates an assembly line where students put together a Model T cardboard car. There were students working on a project when we were there.  This would be a great venue for Sacramento student tours.

The day we visited the museum, we saw vintage cars, racecars, alternative fuel cars and the blue Plymouth that Gov. Jerry Brown famously drove in his first term of office. There were also special exhibits highlighting off-road vehicles and automobiles from 1968. You realize that Americans have a serious love affair with their cars. And I mean that in a good way. Stop by for a visit.