Sacramento's Best: Self-Guided Driving Tour of Iconic Landmarks & History
Places: 20 POIs
Distance: 17.25 mi
Duration: 2h:03m
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Tour #2546
About this English self-guided 2h:03m driving tour in Sacramento
Welcome to Sacramento, California’s capital city, and to your UCPlaces driving tour! Today, we’ll explore a city where Gold Rush history, political power, and cultural landmarks all come together.
Sacramento was born in 1848 at the height of the Gold Rush and quickly grew into the western terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad. By 1854 it was chosen as the state capital, a role it still plays today, shaping decisions for nearly 40 million Californians.
But Sacramento isn’t just about politics — it’s a city of stories, art, and everyday charm. Along the way, we’ll see Victorian mansions, historic parks, and world-class museums, as well as the riverfront where fortune-seekers once arrived by the thousands.
This driving tour will take you from the Governor’s Mansion to the California State Capitol, through the lively Old Sacramento Waterfront, past landmarks like the Tower Bridge, Crocker Art Museum, and more, ending with a perfect photo opportunity at the Capitol itself.
So buckle up and get ready — we’re about to experience Sacramento’s history, culture, and hidden gems, all from the comfort of your car.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
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This tour is available in 1 more language:
Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : Historic Site, Mansion (Recommended selfie spot).
1501 H St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
Governor's Mansion
On your right is the California Governor’s Mansion, and it’s the perfect place to kick off our Sacramento driving tour. This stately Victorian home has stood here since 1877, and for nearly a century, 13 governors and their families lived inside these walls.
Not all of them loved it, though. When Ronald Reagan moved in back in 1967, his family stayed only a few months before declaring the house “unsafe” and too outdated — making him the last governor to live here full time. Jerry Brown’s story is even more colorful: he lived here as a child when his father was governor, later refused it in the 1970s in favor of a modest apartment, and then decades later brought the mansion back into official use during his own return to office.
The mansion has even picked up a reputation for being haunted — with stories of unexplained noises and ghostly figures drifting through its halls. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it certainly adds to the atmosphere of this grand Italianate-style home, with its ornate woodwork and tall windows.
Today, the Governor’s Mansion is preserved as a California State Historic Park — and a symbol of California’s political history, making it the perfect spot to begin our journey through Sacramento.
Not all of them loved it, though. When Ronald Reagan moved in back in 1967, his family stayed only a few months before declaring the house “unsafe” and too outdated — making him the last governor to live here full time. Jerry Brown’s story is even more colorful: he lived here as a child when his father was governor, later refused it in the 1970s in favor of a modest apartment, and then decades later brought the mansion back into official use during his own return to office.
The mansion has even picked up a reputation for being haunted — with stories of unexplained noises and ghostly figures drifting through its halls. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it certainly adds to the atmosphere of this grand Italianate-style home, with its ornate woodwork and tall windows.
Today, the Governor’s Mansion is preserved as a California State Historic Park — and a symbol of California’s political history, making it the perfect spot to begin our journey through Sacramento.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.73mi
1330 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
California State Capitol & Museum
On your left is the California State Capitol, the heart of California’s government and one of Sacramento’s most iconic landmarks. Completed in 1874, it was modeled after the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., with its brilliant white dome rising more than 200 feet above the city.
The building plays a dual role. It’s the working seat of state government, housing the California State Assembly and Senate chambers along with the governor’s offices. But it’s also a museum, officially designated the California State Capitol Museum since 1982. Inside, you’ll find restored 19th-century offices of the treasurer, secretary of state, and governor, plus exhibits on California’s political history, state symbols, and rotating art displays.
The surrounding Capitol Park covers 40 acres, filled with monuments, memorials, and trees brought here from around the world. Veterans, peace officers, and firefighters are honored with memorials, while the rose garden offers a splash of color each spring.
At the end of our tour, we’ll have the perfect photo opportunity of this building, framed in all its grandeur — a great way to wrap up your visit to Sacramento.
The building plays a dual role. It’s the working seat of state government, housing the California State Assembly and Senate chambers along with the governor’s offices. But it’s also a museum, officially designated the California State Capitol Museum since 1982. Inside, you’ll find restored 19th-century offices of the treasurer, secretary of state, and governor, plus exhibits on California’s political history, state symbols, and rotating art displays.
The surrounding Capitol Park covers 40 acres, filled with monuments, memorials, and trees brought here from around the world. Veterans, peace officers, and firefighters are honored with memorials, while the rose garden offers a splash of color each spring.
At the end of our tour, we’ll have the perfect photo opportunity of this building, framed in all its grandeur — a great way to wrap up your visit to Sacramento.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Governor's Mansion
Place 2
California State Capitol & Museum
Place 3
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
Place 4
California State Railroad Museum
Place 5
Old Sacramento Waterfront
Place 6
Iconic Tower Bridge
Place 7
Downtown Commons – DOCO
Place 8
Crocker Art Museum
Place 9
Sacramento River
Place 10
California Automobile Museum
Place 11
Southside Park
Place 12
Sacramento – History & Fun Facts
Place 13
William Land Regional Park
Place 14
Sacramento Zoo
Place 15
Fairytale Town
Place 16
St. Joseph Cemetery
Place 17
McKinley Park Rose Garden
Place 18
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Place 19
Leland Stanford Mansion
Place 20
California State Capitol Museum
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 20 stops, covering top attractions such as Governor's Mansion, California State Capitol & Museum, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento Waterfront.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Governor's Mansion (Address: 1501 H St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!