Things to do in Sacramento: Old Sacramento and farm-to-fork

1. Old Sacramento Waterfront

Start by the river, then explore the historic district’s shops, places to eat and attractions. Old Sacramento works as a neighborhood outing rather than one big ticketed sight. Choose a museum or a meal to anchor the visit and leave time to wander between them.

Good to know

• Use the waterfront’s official directory to choose a particular attraction; tours and museums have their own tickets and hours.
• If you want a boat trip or railway excursion, check that operator’s schedule before building your day around it.
• Keep seasonal events optional until the waterfront calendar confirms what is running during your visit.

2. Midtown Farmers Market

A Saturday here gives Sacramento’s food story a practical starting point. Browse regional produce alongside prepared food and artisan stalls, then decide what you actually want to eat or take home. It is a different experience from a restaurant meal, and worth making time for in its own right.

Good to know

• The market runs Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm at 1050 20th Street.
• Use the organizer’s market map to find vendors rather than assuming every stall sells produce.
• Bring a shopping bag, and only buy perishables you can keep cool or eat soon.

3. Mulvaney’s B&L

For a named farm-to-fork stop, try Mulvaney’s B&L on 19th Street. The restaurant changes its menus daily to follow local growing seasons and its purveyors. Let the current menu lead you rather than arriving determined to order a dish from an old review.

Good to know

• Check the current menu, service hours and reservation information directly on mulvaneysbl.com.
• Find it at 1215 19th Street; plan it as a Midtown meal, not a waterfront restaurant.
• Because menus change daily, ask the restaurant directly about dietary needs and dishes you hope to find.

4. California State Railroad Museum

The restored locomotives and railroad cars make this a tangible way into California’s history. You can look beyond the machines themselves to the role railways played across the state and the West. It is an easy museum to make the main stop of an Old Sacramento day.

Good to know

• Normally open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with last admission at 4:30 pm; check holiday closures.
• Admission is paid, with free entry for children five and under; check current prices on the museum website.
• For a longer visit, use the Old Sacramento or Tower Bridge garage rather than relying on short-term street parking.
• Museum admission and a train excursion are separate plans: check excursion availability before promising a ride.

5. Crocker Art Museum

Give yourself an afternoon here if you would like a break from food and waterfront history. The Crocker’s collections span different periods and cultures across three floors. Choose a few galleries that interest you and leave the rest for another visit.

Good to know

• Normally open Wednesday–Sunday, with later hours on Thursday; closed Monday and Tuesday.
• Buy tickets online or at the admission desk; children five and under enter free.
• Check nearby parking signs carefully for charges and time limits.

6. Capitol Park

The Capitol grounds offer a quieter walk among trees, gardens, monuments and memorials. With plants from around the world across the 40-acre park, you have plenty to notice beyond the building itself. Take the self-guided map or join a park tour if you would like more context.

Good to know

• Guided park tours are free; registration is recommended, and groups of 20 or more must register.
• Tours meet at 13th Street and Capitol Avenue behind the Capitol; check the seasonal schedule before going.
• Tours are postponed in inclement weather; use the museum’s self-guided map for an independent visit when conditions suit.

Quick tips

• If you are visiting on Saturday, keep the morning for Midtown Farmers Market and plan a separate afternoon on the waterfront.
• Pair Old Sacramento with the Railroad Museum; give Mulvaney’s its own meal slot rather than squeezing it between attractions.
• The Crocker normally closes Monday and Tuesday, so choose your museum day first.
• Want company? Check upcoming events in Sacramento on Socroo below and find someone to go with.

Upcoming events

• Stone Cold and the Jackal Holiday Show 8 November 2026 at 22:00 UTC Punch Line Comedy Club - Sacramento, 2100 Arden Way