Sacramento Convention Center – Experiences

Sacramento has destinations to suit everyone, from artists, to foodies, to historians, to adventurers. A booming arts scene has brought sculptures, murals, and museums throughout the city. It’s packed with history, and served an important part in the gold rush and creation of the railroad system. Sacramento has been called America’s “farm-to-fork capital” because of its focus on local produce and year-round growing season.

There’s so much to do and learn in Sacramento that it’s almost impossible to narrow down. Our itinerary below begins at the Sacramento Convention Center, then tries to incorporate a little bit of everything that makes this city special. By following this guide you’ll have quite a busy day tasting delicious food, admiring street art, and learning about the rich history of Sactown.

 

Morning

Noon

Night

 

Morning

Start off your morning by visiting Crepeville, a nine-minute walk from the Sacramento Convention Center. This casual breakfast spot is a go-to for a quick, quality meal amidst a welcoming atmosphere.

Crepeville’s colorful chalkboard adorns the wall, outlining a breakfast, brunch, and lunch selection that’s sure to satisfy any taste. While Crepeville offers a menu of sweet and savory crepes, guests can create their own. Patrons rave about their strawberry Nutella crepe, indulge in their San Francisco Eggs Benedict, or chow down on a bagel, eggs, and breakfast potatoes.

After starting your day with an ideal breakfast experience, take a four-minute walk to the funky used clothing store TRUE. The store, just 10 minutes from the Sacramento Convention Center, features an incredible mural mural right behind it. Streaks of red, pink, blue, green, and turquoise shine out from the center of the wall like rays of light. Sacramento has no shortage of street art created by talented artists, and this colorful urban art piece isn’t the only one nearby.

Continue the celebration of street art by taking a two-minute walk to the MARRS Building. The western wall of this building holds your next mural experience. This art piece features a black and white koi fish flowing freely across a blue background. The artist, Maren Conrad, specifically chose a koi fish to celebrate the Chinese immigrants who helped build California’s railroads. Sky blue bubbles drift up from the bottom of the mural, greeting the detailed, monochrome fish. You’ll feel as though you’re viewing an enormous fish tank. These murals are sure to impress you and your Instagram followers.

From the MARRS Building mural, you are a 12-minute walk to the World Peace Rose Garden. If you’re starting from the Sacramento Convention Center, it’s only a six-minute walk down the street. The World Peace Rose Garden founders TJ David and Sylvia Villalobos wanted to use the United State’s official flower as a symbol for international peace.

Sacramento Convention CenterThe World Peace Garden contains over 650 roses with more than 153 varieties, colors, and fragrances. The promotion of love and understanding has inspired other states and countries to create World Peace Rose Gardens of their own. There are official locations throughout California, in Georgia, and internationally in Mexico and Italy.

The garden hosts many events such as an annual rose-tossing ceremony, educational experiences, and weddings. As you immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the World Peace Rose Garden, you might end up forgetting that you’re in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the United States.

The World Peace Rose Garden is conveniently located inside State Capitol Park, which also contains the California State Capitol Museum. In your 10-minute trek through the park, you may see The California Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Purple Heart Monument, the California Firefighters Memorial, and The Civil War Memorial Grove.

As the capitol building of the most populous state in the United States, the California State Capitol Museum is a must-see for all Sacramento visitors.

The the U.S. Capitol inspired the striking exterior of this building, but the impressive interior stands out in its own right. The lofted lobby contains black-and-white checkered floors that shine brightly under the chandeliers. You may admire the enormous marble statues surrounding you, but remember to look up at the impressive rotunda.Sacramento Convention Center

The Senate Chamber in the California State Capitol Building has incredible chandeliers and intricately detailed marble columns. Guests can also see a statue of a California grizzly bear, the state animal.

The first floor of the museum contains revolving exhibits and restored rooms that reflect what the offices may have looked like in the 1800s. Visitors tour historic offices that once belonged to the Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Governor of California. Beautiful details inside the building make the tour not only educational but visually appealing as well.

Visitors are welcome to take their own, self-guided tours, but free guided tours take place every hour. Many visitors have recommended a guided tour to enhance the educational experience. Tour guides share information about the history of the building, the functions of the California government, and facts about the impressive art collection.

A four-minute walk from the Capitol Museum and a 14-minute walk from the Sacramento Convention Center is the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park. This impeccably restored Victorian mansion was built in 1856 and named a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

It was once the home of Leland Stanford, former Governor of California, railroad tycoon, and the founder of Stanford University. Because of its elegance and storied history, the Leland Stanford Mansion is used to this day for diplomatic events and hosting foreign dignitaries. It also contains an office for the Governor.

Tours of the impeccably restored Leland Stanford Mansion take place daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The rooms are designed based on 19th-century photographs of the home, and contain preserved furniture from the time period. In addition to learning about the importance of the building, visitors have enjoyed anecdotes about the Stanford family and their time in the house.

After your journey through the Victorian era, venture back into the Sacramento sunshine to enjoy some more modern art.

Seven minutes away from the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park is an unassuming parking garage, SP+ Parking, located at 555 Capitol Mall. On its southwest side is a brightly colored mural by artist Iker Muro, otherwise known as Munroe.

The vibrant painting features a large bicycle, succulent houseplants in frames, and a portrait of a mountain against a pink sky. The artist takes these simple images and elevates them into an outstanding piece of art surrounded by striking colors. Because of this, SP+ Parking very well may be the prettiest parking garage you’ve ever seen.

At this point, you are two minutes away from delicious options for lunch.

 

Noon

House Kitchen & Bar was created by successful chef and restaurateur, Chris Nestor. The popularity of his other restaurant, Ink Eats & Drinks, inspired him to create an eatery that served classic comfort food in an easygoing, yet upscale atmosphere.

The menu includes typical dishes such as boneless wings, prime rib French dip, and chicken and waffles. The difference is that these everyday dishes are treated like gourmet fare, allowing House Kitchen & Bar to compete with more refined restaurants.

Another option for lunch is Camden Spit & Larder. Chef and owner Oliver Ridgeway’s English roots inspired this modern European restaurant. Dark wood tables, polished floors, a shining tin ceiling, and modern chandeliers create a quality reminiscent of posh London restaurants. Some of Camden Spit & Larder’s dining options include local caviar, Wagyu steak, roast beef, pork, and grilled trout.

While it’s known as a high-end restaurant, Camden Spit & Larder also has a sense of humor. One of their outstanding decorative features is a boar dressed in a suit and tie, riding a vespa while sipping on a martini.

After enjoying your lunch, it’s time to head over to Old Sacramento. This is a popular destination for Sacramento visitors wanting to learn about the history of the city.

From either restaurant, it will be a 14-minute walk to the California State Railroad Museum. From the Sacramento Convention Center, the trip is a four-minute drive or a 21-minute walk.

The eastern wall of the California State Railroad Museum features an outstanding mural of a bustling steam locomotive. It seems to burst out of the wall, smashing bricks in its way and charging forward with unstoppable velocity.

Railroads are an inextricable part of California’s history, especially in the Sacramento area. In the museum you’ll view completely restored locomotives and learn about their impact on history.

The California State Railroad Museum is at the northern part of Old Sacramento, making it easy to simply head south and see all the classic attractions.

Right down the street is the Big Four House, a historic building from the 1800s that will immerse you in Sacramento’s past. The government named this structure a National Historic Landmark on July 4, 1961.

Sacramento Convention CenterContinue walking south through Old Sacramento to pass the Sacramento History Museum, plenty of bars, wine tasting rooms, the River City Saloon, the Pony Express Statue, the Sacramento Visitor Center, and the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum. These destinations are what makes Old Sacramento special, and will give you a thorough understanding of what life in this city was like centuries ago.

Venturing down this stretch of historic road can keep any visitor busy all afternoon. After these experiences, there is one last important spot to visit.

 

Night

The Delta King is both a symbol of the past and an exceptional restaurant. It’s only a four-minute walk from the California State Railroad Museum, or a seven-minute drive from the Sacramento Convention Center.

The Delta King is a docked riverboat from 1927 that commuted between San Francisco and Sacramento until 1940. The Delta King fell on hard times and for years sat partially submerged in the San Francisco Bay. The Coyne family purchased this waterlogged and dilapidated ship, and dove into its restoration. Their efforts brought this historic ship back to its former glory, and they opened it up as a restaurant and hotel in 1989. The Delta King is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Delta King has two dining options on board: the award-winning Pilothouse Restaurant, referred to as a “must-dine destination,” and the relaxed Delta Bar and Grill that overlooks the Sacramento River and regularly features live music.

This unique dining experience, a gem in the Sacramento area, promises to be unforgettable.

After a delicious dinner, head back towards the Sacramento Convention Center to catch an impressive show at the Community Center Theater. This fantastic venue is adjacent to the Sacramento Convention Center, making it convenient to access. You’ll have plenty of performances to choose from, as the Community Center Theater hosts amazing events from Broadway productions to world-class concerts. So kick back, relax, and enjoy the end of your busy day in Sactown.

This itinerary highlights only some of the activities in Sacramento that can keep any visitor busy. We hope that by following this guide you’re able to get the most robust, one-day experience possible.