Sacramento and Old Sacramento

Many settlers arrived in California in the late 1830's following the promise of Mexican land grants. One of the earliest settlers, John Sutter, established a small settlement that soon became known as Sutter's Fort. This still exists today and draws many tourists to it.

Nearby to the fort, another settler, San Brennan, established a small trading store that soon flourished into a trading center burgeoning with settlers and treasure seekers once gold was discovered nearby.

Known today as Old Sacramento, this area experienced the ravages of mother nature through floods and fires. Revitalization efforts began after each disaster, but the town lost its vitality until after the 1960's when a renewed interest in the town developed. Nearby metropolitan Sacramento offers the bustling activity of urban life in every possible venue, while the ambience of old time living still exists today in Old Sacramento.

Dining opportunities assail the visitor's nostrils though the pungent aromas wafting through the air redolent with hints of cuisine from many cultures. Spicy Mexican dishes, succulent seafood entrees, Asian and Chinese delicacies, and authentic southwestern American cuisine tempt the hungry with a frenzy of choices. Cafes, pubs, and restaurants offer eclectic atmospheres along with tasteful culinary dishes.

Historical attractions draw millions of tourists to the area as well. Visitors can throw themselves back into the past as they travel past authentic Victorian homes in horse drawn wagons, gaze upon beautiful scenery as they float along the river in an authentically designed riverboat, or discover breathtaking vistas as they zip along the scenic countryside in a genuine steam locomotive.

Museums and national parks continue the hunt for relics of the past. Amusement parks, such as Waterworld, USA and Discovery Park, offer hours of endless fun for the adventurous. The Ancil Hoffman Golf Course, the most popular course, and many other golf courses beckon to golfers from all walks of life. Additional places to visit and explore include the Folsom Zoo, Shopping Plazas, the Sacramento International Airport, and the California State Railroad Museum.

The nightlife offers an array of activities that can keep the energetic tourist going from dusk until dawn. Comedians provide engaging skits of humor, theaters offer murder mysteries, and nightclubs tempt the feet of avid dancers.

Sightseers have a wealth of accommodations to select among for their stay. Over fifty hotels, not to mention the bed and breakfast establishments, exist in Sacramento.

Old Sacramento tempted visitors with the promise of gold in the form of shiny nuggets. Today's Sacramento tempts visitors with the promise of the gold found in golden opportunities of exploration and enjoyment