In this post, I will help you to find Where to Stay in Sacramento, best areas to stay in Sacramento for tourists, families, couples, as well as the best hotels in Sacramento for all budgets and the safest places to stay in Sacramento.
Despite being the capital of California, Sacramento, known as Sac by locals, is largely overlooked as a tourist destination in favor of the larger cities along the coast.
However, with numerous state museums, beautiful historical federal buildings, and vibrant cultural heritage, there are more than enough reasons to visit.
Where to stay in Sacramento?
The best areas to stay in Sacramento for tourists and first-timers are Downtown, Midtown, Old Town, and around California State University. These are popular neighborhoods that offer a wide variety of attractions and amenities.
Downtown is the best area to stay in Sacramento for first-timers due to its central location and wide range of accommodations. Staying here puts you in the heart of the city, within walking distance to major attractions, restaurants, bars, and shops.
Sacramento is general a safe city for tourists and visitors. But as you travel to any big city, you should be aware of the surroundings and use common sense.
Downtown, River Park, Hollywood Park, and Pocket are some of the safest neighborhoods in Sacramento. You should avoid Del Paso Park, South Hagginwood, Upper Land Park, and Midland because they have high crime rates.
| 💖 Best Area for first-timers: | Downtown Sacramento |
| 💎 Best luxury hotel: | Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, an IHG |
| 🏨 Best mid-range hotel: | Hyatt Regency Sacramento |
| 💰 Best budget hotel: | Inn Off Capitol Park, Ascend Hotel Collection |
Map of areas and neighborhoods in Sacramento:
4 Best areas to stay in Sacramento for tourists are:
1. Downtown Sacramento
Downtown is the best area to stay in Sacramento for first-time travelers due to its prime location. As the central business district, Downtown is where you will find much of Sacramento’s hospitality, shopping, and entertainment. You will have a wide array of restaurants and cafes to choose from.
One of the main attractions in the area is California State Capitol Park. The manicured park contains various monuments and memorials, a rose garden, and a desert garden, all connected with winding pathways.
At the west end of the park sits the grand State Capitol building, which houses both the local government and a public history museum.
Just around the corner from the Park is the Leland Stanford Mansion. The preserved Victorian mansion has been converted into a museum filled with original period furniture and artifacts.
The crocker art museum is another iconic location, which hosts exhibits and displays works of art from around the world.
Immediately south of Downtown is the Old City Cemetery, where numerous notable past residents of Sacramento are buried beneath typically ornate, Victorian-era tombstones. For an alternative afternoon’s sightseeing, you can take a guided tour around the grounds and gardens.
If a vibrant and varied nightlife is a priority for you, Downtown is ideal. The area is full of pubs and bars with a wide range of themes and atmospheres to choose from. If nightclubs are what you are looking for, the stretch of 10th Street just north of Capitol Park is home to a cluster of lively clubs and late-night bars.
You also have the Sacramento City Hall, Westfield Downtown Plaza, Cathedral of Sacramento, Wells Fargo Pavilion, Golden 1 Center, California Automobile Museum. You catche a performances at Crest Theater and the Community Center Theater.
If you enjoy spending your vacation shopping, you will have plenty of opportunities here. In addition to tons of standalone stores throughout the area, the DoCo, or Downtown Commons shopping center provides a wide variety of shops, department stores, and cafes in an open-air entertainment complex.
For a more alternative shopping experience, head south to WAL Public Market on Rice Alley. This converted warehouse now hosts a plethora of independent stores, small restaurants, and street food stalls.
If you are traveling as a family with kids, you can take a day trip to the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, The Sacramento Zoo. Both provide fun events and educational activities. There are also Raging Waters Sacramento and the Roseville Golfland SunSplash to entertain your children.
Sacramento Zoo is located in a beautiful green area of William Land Park. In this 166.5 acres park, you also find Fairytale Town, Funderland, William Land Golf Course, lakes, picnic areas, and soccer fields.
Similarly, if you struggle with walking long distances, or expect you will need to rely on public transport to get around, you will also appreciate the transport system in this neighborhood.
The Light Rail tram system is particularly prominent here. Aside from being convenient, for anyone traveling from a location that doesn’t have a tram system, it doubles as an extra new experience to try out during your visit.
There are plenty of accommodations in downtown that suits all type of travelers, you can easily find big chain hotels, buget guest houses, inns, and Bed & breakfast!
Stay in Sacramento Downtown if you are first time in Sacramento; you want to stay in the most central location possible; you are in Sacramento for a shorter visit; you are traveling with children; a lively nightlife scene is important to you.
Best Places to stay in Sacramento Downtown:
luxury ($$$): Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, an IHG, 4-star hotellocated in the heart of Sacramento at the Downtown Commons, short walk from the California Railroad Museum. It has private parking, a terrace, and a fitness center, and free use of bicycles.
mid-range ($$): Hyatt Regency Sacramento, 4-star hotel located across the street from the California Capitol. It features an outdoor heated pool, a restaurant, and a full-service spa, and a gift shop. Spacious rooms with a coffee machine, and free toiletries in the en suite bathroom.
budget ($): Inn Off Capitol Park, Ascend Hotel Collection, 3-star in central Sacramento, across the street from the California state capitol complex, one block from State Capitol and Museum.
🔍MORE HOTELS IN DOWNTOWN2. Midtown Sacramento
Midtown is the cultural hub of the city, located immediately east of Downtown. Just as central as Downtown Sacramento, Midtown is just a little less touristy, with fewer attractions aimed at visitors and more of a hip local vibe.
It’s also a bike-friendly, pedestrian-friendly, and well-connected district, providing good public transport by the city’s light rail system and bus network.
With a bohemian, hipster atmosphere throughout the neighborhood, it’s no surprise that Midtown is central to Sacramento’s art scene. You can find numerous art galleries and studios scattered across the area, displaying works in a range of mediums and genres.
The Kennedy Gallery is a particularly interesting location, boasting three floors of the gallery, studio, and event space in a lovely old classical mansion.
There is a wide variety of nightclubs, restaurants and cafes in the neighborhood, from sit-down to take-out, offering cuisines from around the world. This is where you will find many of Sacramento’s trendiest new food spots, so if you consider yourself a foodie, this is a district to take a closer look at.
If LGBT-friendly nightlife is something that appeals to you, then consider staying near the intersection of 20th and K streets. There’s a cluster of gay bars and clubs in this area that are sure to provide a great night out, without having to trek into the city center.
Midtown is home to the Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park which is well-known for its association with the Donner Party, the California Gold Rush, and the formation of the city of Sacramento. It hosts family-friendly events and educational programs for kids.
You can find the Sutter’s Landing Regional Park along the American River. It has multiple sports courts, a skate park, a fenced dog park, running trails, and also links to 23 miles of trails of American River Parkway .
Midtown is home to the Goldfield Trading Post which is a classic country saloon with live music, dancing, billiards, and tequila. You can also check the Sac Brew Bike where you can biking and taste some loca beer.
You should stay in Midtown if You enjoy art and browsing galleries; Vibrant nightlife is a priority for you; You are interested in a particularly LGBT-friendly area.
Best places to stay in Sacramento in Midtown:
Inn Off Capitol Park, Ascend Hotel Collection, 3-star hotel, featuring rooms with seating areas and work desks, a fitness center, and a business center. Located near the California capitol complex, State Capitol and Museum, and the Sacramento Zoo.
Residence Inn Sacramento Downtown at Capitol Park, 3-star hotel located across from Capitol Park in downtown Sacramento. It has a heated outdoor pool and offers spacious suites with free Wi-Fi and fully equipped kitchens with granite countertops, a microwave, and a dishwasher.
🔍MORE HOTELS IN MIDTOWNSee more:
3. Old Town Sacramento
Old Town Sacramento, also simply known as Old Sac, is a long thin area of Downtown that stretches along the Sacramento River. Home to the Chinatown, and the Old Waterfront, much of this area is protected as a State Historic Park and National Historic Landmark District.
If you love history and are looking to surround yourself with preserved buildings, many of which have been converted into museums, this is the neighborhood for you.
Old Sacramento Waterfront has plenty of restored 19th-century buildings from the Gold Rush era. Just walking through the cobbled streets and alleys, and the wooden sidewalk is an experience in itself.
You can opt to explore them by yourself or take a guided walking tour to learn more about the area’s history. Alternatively, treat yourself to a horse-drawn carriage ride to really soak in the atmosphere.
In the north of the neighborhood, in the region designated a State Historic Park, you will find one of the most iconic and historic buildings in the city, the Big Four Building. Built in 1851, the building stands as an example of what a typical shopping street would have looked like during Sacramento’s founding years.
Right behind the Big Four Building, you can find the California state railroad museum, the Sacramento History Museum & Underground Tour. Both host fascinating exhibits on the history and development of the local area.
The famous Crocker Art Museum is the first public art museum founded in the Western United States. On the first floor of this historic building, you will find the Gerald Hansen Library and Tot Land.
Walking south along the river will treat you to some beautiful views across the water. You will also get a great vantage point of the curiously pyramid-shaped Ziggurat federal building on the opposite bank.
A little further down the river is the impressive Tower Bridge. The iron structure is a vertical lift bridge, installed in 1982 and since added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Along the riverwalk, you can stop by one of its riverside restaurants and coffee such as Rio City Café, and enjoy the views of historic Tower Bridge and the Ziggurat building.
Continue your walk across the bridge and you will come to the lovely River Walk Park. Stretching along the river’s west bank, the leafy public park provides beautiful views back across to Old Sacramento.
Another landmark on the waterfront is The Delta King which is a restored old riverboat from 1927. It now served as a tourist attraction with a hotel and restaurant. You can have a meal there and enjoy the view of Tower Bridge.
If you love wine, you can take part in the Underground Tasting Room, to taste the local wineries such as Fenton Herriot Vineyards and Twisted Twig Winery. It’s also home to two award-winning Sierra Foothill wineries.
The Old Sacramento is also part of the American River Bike Trail (also known as Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail) which runs along the American River, starting in the city of Folsom, stopping at Discover Park, Howe River Access, Paradise Beach, and River Bend Park. Great spot for walking, cycling, and horseback riding.
Sacramento Valley Station in this Historic District is the main station in the city, offers well-connect to other parts of Sacramento. Accommodation in Old Town are mostly mid-range options with 3-star or 4-star hotels.
Old Town is the best place to stay in Sacramento if you want to stay close to the river; you love history and preserved historical buildings; you enjoy browsing museums; you are planning a romantic break.
Best places to stay in Sacramento Old Town:
budget ($): Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade, 3-star hotel, set on the Sacramento River across from historic Old Town Sacramento, within walking distance from the Entertainment venue Golden 1 Center and Crocker Art Museum.
budget ($): Delta King Hotel, 3-star budget-friendly hotel conveniently situated in Sacramento, and is close to several well-known attractions such as Crocker Art Museum, Raley Field and Sacramento Valley Station.
mid-range ($$): The Exchange Sacramento, Curio Collection By Hilton, 4-star hotel, situated in the centre of Sacramento, close to Sacramento Valley Station, California State Railroad Museum, California Capitol Building.
🔍MORE HOTELS IN SACRAMENTO4. East Sacramento/ California State University
East Sacramento (East Sac) is an affluent suburb, located immediately east of Midtown, great base to stay away from the crowds of downtown area.
East Sacramento is much less tourist-centric than the previous districts I’ve mentioned. Full of public parks hosting local events and small concerts, small boutique stores, and independent cafes and restaurants, this is a distinctly local community, despite being so close to the city center.
If you are looking for a quieter neighborhood, where you can experience typical modern Sacramento life, this is a great option.
The various family parks in the neighborhood make this a fantastic alternative for anyone traveling with children, although you would need to consider the longer journey should you want to visit the city center attractions. There are parks like McKinley Park which host hosts various concerts and events in the summer, East Lawn Memorial Park, and East Portal Park.
If you visiting from April to October, you will have a chance to visit Saturday East Sac Farmers Market in McKinley Park. It is where local farmers and agriculturalists sell local products and handmade crafts.
If you love art, take a look at the Fe Gallery near the California State University that display local artist’s works. The Museum of Medical History has free entrance, where you can learn the medication dating back to the gold rush.
Sacramento East is the best area to stay in Sacramento if You want a quieter neighborhood; You are traveling with children; Being right in the city center is not a priority.
Best places to stay in Sacramento East: Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento at CSUS, 3-star hotel located near California State University Sacramento, California State Capitol and Museum. It has air-conditioned rooms with a desk, flat-screen TV, and private bathroom.
🔍MORE HOTELS IN SACRAMENTOWhere should I stay in Sacramento for the first time?
Downtown is the best place to stay in Sacramento for first-time travelers due to its prime location. If you stay here, you will be located in the heart of the city, within easy access to attractions, as well as restaurants, bars, and shops.
What are the best areas to stay in Sacramento?
Downtown, Midtown, Old Town, and California State University areas are the best areas to stay in Sacramento because they are the most popular areas with a wide range of things to do and see in each neighborhood.
Where is the safest areas to stay in Sacramento?
Sacramento is an overall safe city for tourists, but it is recommended to practice common sense as you travel to any big city. Downtown is generally safe for tourists, if you are looking for the safest place to stay in Sacramento, look into Downtown, River Park, Hollywood Park, and Pocket.
Where should I not stay in Sacramento?
You should avoid Del Paso Park, South Hagginwood, Upper Land Park, and Midland because they have higher crime rates compared with other neighborhoods. Downtown Sacramento is safe for tourists to book a stay.
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In conclusion, Downtown, Midtown, Old Town, and around California State University are some of the best places to stay in Sacramento for tourists. These are safe and central neighborhoods, offering a variety range of accommodations for all budget travelers.
Overall, Downtown is the best area to stay in Sacramento for first-timers and for those travel without a car. It has central location, excellent connection to public transportation, and a widest range of accommodations, restaurants, bars, and shops.