Explore the state capital with Downtown Sacramento Walking Tours

Posted by admin on Jun 19, 2009

Sacramento is a city rich in history, dating back to California’s Gold Rush roots. Evidence of the city’s influential past as an agricultural, commercial, and urban hub can still be found today in the modern downtown area, even beyond the noted landmarks.

Downtown Sacramento Walking Tours offer visitors a chance to explore this past — and envision the city’s future — with eight guided tours covering a range of topics from art and architecture to religion and commerce.

Most tours last approximately one hour and cover 6-8 city blocks. Meeting points are all within walking distance from the Sacramento Hostel, so you can incorporate them easily into your hostel stay.

Art Is All Around Us: Sacramento’s collection of art in public places
Tuesday, 3 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.
Meet at the Indo Arch outside of Downtown Plaza, 3rd and K streets (8 blocks from the Sacramento Hostel)
$10

Tour Sacramento’s impressive collection of permanently sited works of art integrated into the city’s built and natural environments. See works by notable local and regional artists.

The Art of Terra Cotta: An architecture tour
Sunday, 1 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday, 2 p.m.
Meet at Cesar Chavez Plaza, 9th and J streets (2 blocks from the Sacramento Hostel)
$10

This tour discusses the history of terra cotta as an architectural art form and showcases downtown’s best examples of this early technique, highlighting those constructed by the Gladding McBean Studio.

Based in nearby Lincoln, California, and in continual operation since 1874, the studio’s turn-of-the-century works are reflected in downtown buildings. Learn about both the evolution of this notable studio and the process of working with terra cotta clay.

Kids Meet the City: A tour of California history especially for kids
By appointment only
$10 for one adult and one child (under 13 years old), $5 for each additional child

This tour is specially designed to serve as a fun and interactive way to introduce Sacramento history to students of all ages. Learn about the Gold Rush, the history and route of the Pony Express, John Sutter’s place in California history, and the "Big Four" of the railroad industry.

Lunchtime Tours
$5

These half-hour tours highlight historical facts and fun trivia of a single city block. Each locale offers a unique glimpse into local history and culture.

Each tour begins at 12:15 p.m. at the following locations:

• Monday and Friday, 11th and K streets (4 blocks from the Sacramento Hostel)
• Tuesday, 5th and I streets (6 blocks from the Sacramento Hostel)
• Wednesday, St. Rose of Lima, 7th and K streets (7 blocks from the Sacramento Hostel)
• Thursday, Cesar Chavez Plaza, 9th and J streets (2 blocks from the Sacramento Hostel

Sacred Spaces: The story of downtown’s religious structures
Friday, 10 a.m. Beginning in August
Meet at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, at 11th and K streets (4 blocks from the Sacramento Hostel)
$15

Take a tour of Sacramento’s oldest churches, and hear stories of the city’s first faith-based organizations and their places in California history. This tour also touches on the unique architectural features of each structure.

A portion of the proceeds benefit housing efforts for downtown homeless.   

Structural Stories: Local examples of historical architecture styles
Tuesday, 10 a.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m.; Thursday, 3 p.m.
Meet at Cesar Chavez Plaza, 9th and J streets (2 blocks from the Sacramento Hostel)
$10

Stroll through the ages of architectural history in downtown Sacramento, from the Renaissance-style Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament to the graceful art deco shapes of the Crest Theatre.

Sunday, 11 a.m.; Monday, 10 a.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.
Meet at Cesar Chavez Plaza, 9th and J streets (2 blocks from the Sacramento Hostel)
$10

Walk down memory lane on a guided tour of one of the oldest cities in California. Learn how Sacramento wrangled the distinction of California’s state capital, walk the original route of the famed Pony Express, see the influence of railroad’s "Big Four" on early urban planning, and learn why downtown sidewalks are hollow.

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: K Street commerce, growth, and redevelopment
Sunday, 3 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 2 p.m.; Wednesday, 1 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.
Meet at the Delta King docks, Front and K streets (10 blocks from the Sacramento Hostel)
$10

Beginning in Old Sacramento, this tour traces the city’s commercial growth along K Street, Sacramento’s first commercial district. Learn about K Street’s early history as a vaudeville and entertainment hot spot and hear future plans for Sacramento’s new pedestrian mall.