How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Sacramento

California’s capitol is an intriguing mix of old and new, blending historic attractions with cutting-edge restaurants and nightspots. Sacramento is also a welcoming combo of big-city and old-time small town. Visitors will find plenty to do without being overwhelmed by noise or traffic.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Stop by the Crocker Art Museum on O Street, the oldest continually operating museum of its kind in the West, with a splendid collection of works focusing on Asia, Europe and California.

2. Turn back the clock to Gold Rush days by visiting Old Sacramento, a handful of blocks in the heart of downtown with beautifully restored buildings, dozens of shops, restaurants and entertainment ranging from comedy clubs to several museums.

3. ‘Capitolize’ on the city’s sporting life by seeing some men’s (Kings) or women’s (Monarchs) hoops at Arco Arena. Warm-weather visitors can take in a River Cats minor-league baseball game at Raley Stadium.

4. Families with kids will particularly enjoy the Sacramento Zoo, with a plethora of animal life ranging from the everyday to the exotic. From jaguars to chimpanzees to Columbian red-tailed boas, this is an impressive collection of animals.

5. Spend an hour at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. Refurbished to its 1846 status, it is the oldest restored fort in the U.S. The Fort has an intriguing history, frequent special events and a non-profit gift shop designed to look like an old trading post.

6. Don’t miss the Capitol Building and adjoining park. The Capitol is a grand old building open to the public, with a stunning rotunda and the park boasts 40 acres of native plant life and exotic flora such as deodar cedars native to the Himalayan Mountains.

7. Drop by the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park to indulge in some elegance from days of yore. The 19,000-square-foot Victorian is characterized by sky-high ceilings, priceless fixtures, decorative arts and original furnishings once belonging to the Stanfords.

Tips & Warnings

• Anyone visiting from the California coast should keep in mind that Sacramento has colder winters and hotter summers. Plan accordingly.

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on 10/17/2008 Remember: Sacramento is the single most ethnically diverse city in the US, according to recent census data; that means it has an even wider array of great ethnic food than places like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Try visiting the south area - not a great neighborhood, but driving down Franklin (for dozens of Salvadoran and Mexican restaurants), and Stockton Blvd (for Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian, Hmong, Chinese and other Asian restaurants) or the area's many excellent middle-eastern spots.

The sunday farmer's market under the freeway at 6th is excellent, as is the smaller Asian farmer's market 2 blocks away at 5th and broadway.

There are wondering shopping areas along J Street in midtown, with lots of small boutiques - also nearby K street, which has a pedestrian mall downtown near the capitol, and many small shops and cafes parallel to J street's shopping district, from 24th t