Sacramento on the River

Except as noted, area code is 916 and locations are in Sacramento.

TRAINS AND BOATS California State Railroad Museum Gorgeously restored rolling stock such as an 1863 Southern Pacific locomotive; also six-mile excursions by steam train alongside the Sacramento River. 125 I St., 445-6645, csrmf.org [3]. Hornblower Historic River Tours Hour-long boat cruises up and down the waterfront. 1206 Front St., (888) 467-6256, hornblower.com [4].

HERITAGE Old Sacramento State Historic Park A 28-acre area of storefronts and wooden sidewalks from the 1850s, ’60s, and ’70s. Between Front and Second streets.

BIKES AND BALLS Jedediah Smith Memorial Bike Trail A 32-mile paved path that runs from Discovery Park up to Folsom Lake. 875-6961, www.sacparks.net [5]. Mike’s Bikes Summer rentals and local biking information. 1411 I St., 446-2453, mikesbikes.com [6]. Raley Field Fan-friendly, 14,014-seat home of baseball’s Sacramento River Cats. 400 Ballpark Dr., West Sacramento, 371-4487, raleyfield.com [7].

SHOPPING Gallery of the American West Museum-quality American Indian objects such as a 1910 basket from Alaska’s Attu Island made of finely woven silk and delicate sea grass, plus vintage silver-and-turquoise rings starting at $50. 121 K St., 446-6662, gallerywest.com [8]. Sock City Some 5,000 styles of socks, from cowhide-patterned classics to fuzzy purple tubes with toes. 1009 Second St., 440-1559, funsockcity.com [9].

EATS Pearl on the River A sleek, glass-walled space serving fresh, tasty fare such as salmon with papaya salsa. 1379 Garden Hwy., 567-3275, pearlontheriver.com [10]. Rio City Café Dinner, lunch, and brunch (try the Frangelico French toast) dished up in an airy dining room or at riverside tables outdoors. 1110 Front St., 442-8226, riocitycafe.com [11].

SLEEPS Delta King From $89 for AAA members. A floating boutique hotel. 1000 Front St., 444-5464, deltaking.com [12]. Embassy Suites From $139 for AAA members. City vistas and river views; breakfast included. 100 Capitol Mall, (800) 362-2779, sacramento.embassysuites.com [13].

HAPPENINGS Pacific Rim Street Fest May 23. A cultural fete of art, food, and entertainment. Old Sacramento, 451-6200, pacificrimstreetfest.com [14]. Sacramento Jazz Festival May 28–31. More than 50 traditional jazz acts in multiple venues. 372-5277, sacjazz.com [15]. Gold Rush Days Sept. 3–6. Historical reenactments, Wild West gunfights, and do-it- yourself gold panning on streets covered with 200 tons of dirt. Old Sacramento, 808-7777, sacramentogoldrushdays.com [16].


Photography Gino Creglia [17]/courtesy Sacramento CVB

This article was first published in May 2010. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.