Old Sacramento Tour: A Guide to its Historic District and Waterfront

(45 reviews)

Sacramento, California audio tour: Old Sacramento Tour: A Guide to its Historic District and Waterfront

This is a 1.2mi walking tour

It takes an average of 90 mins to complete.

Sacramento, California

The United States

$11.99

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About the Tour

Step back in time to the 1850s and 60s when natural disasters, a banking crisis and a cholera outbreak made life in the new city of Sacramento very challenging. On this leisurely walking tour through Old Sacramento’s Historic District and Waterfront, I’ll paint a picture of what it was like for those early pioneers who were drawn to the city during the Gold Rush era.

Named a California Historical Landmark in 1965, the suburb features over 50 restored historical buildings dating to the second half of the 1850s. Our tour starts at Tower Bridge. As you stroll along the cobblestone streets and wooden boardwalks, I’ll share stories about the buildings you pass, including the Firehouse Restaurant, Orleans Hotel, and What Cheer House, a former hotel and historical landmark. You’ll also hear about California’s early history, and how it took 25 days via steamboat to get mail from the East Coast to California on the West Coast before the Pony Express was established in 1860.

On this tour, you’ll have the opportunity to:

Stroll down Front Street and sample the menu at any one of the charming bars or restaurants along the Old Sacramento Waterfront
Learn how Sacramento was finally saved from yearly floods by raising the town 22 feet in the 1860s
Visit the California State Railroad Museum and Sacramento History Museum
Hear about Chinese migrants’ courage during the building of the Central Pacific Railroad
Stop by the Delta King paddlewheeler and learn its fascinating history
Learn how Old Town Sacramento went from rundown rows of flophouses in the 1960s to a fully restored State Park
Take in Pioneer Square, the Pony Express Statue and the monument to Theodore Judah, the Central Pacific Railroad’s first Chief Engineer

If you don’t stop to eat, do any shopping, or visit a museum, this walking tour will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. However, if time is not an issue, feel free to stop along the way. The museums charge admission, which is not included in the price of this tour.

Voice acting credit:

Voices of Dr. John Morse, anonymous newspaper letter writer, Concord stage runner, Sam Brannan, and Pony Express advertisement by Brandon Baumann

Voice of Lola Montez by Robin Baumann

Music

Redwood Trail by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

Front Porch Sitter by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

Plantation by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

Tour Producer

Lynn Momboisse

25 tours

Hi! My name is Lynn. I am a native of California and have resided in Northern California for most of my life. I have a love for discovering the hidden treasures in my own back yard. For many years I lived in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea where I co-authored the book Historic Homes and Inns of Carmel-by-the-Sea. During my time in Carmel-by-the Sea, I served on the Carmel Heritage Society, and Historic Resources Board. My love of history and passion for discovering the beauty of the Golden State has led me to create a fun little blog titled "Adventures of a Home Town Tourist" where I recount many of my walking tours and hiking adventures throughout the world. I currently live in the majestic Sierra Foothills and have written several walking and driving tours of the Lake Tahoe area as well as the California Gold Country. I am so excited to continue to share my travel adventures through the power of VoiceMap. I can't wait for you to join me. Happy Adventures!

Preview Location

Location 16

The Firehouse Restaurant / Fire!

Continue walking alongside the red building to the double glass front doors. This is the front door of the Firehouse Restaurant. There is a historic plaque just to the right of these doors noting that this is the former location of the Sacramento Firehouse #3. Stop for a mo... Continue walking alongside the red building to the double glass front doors. This is the front door of the Firehouse Restaurant. There is a historic plaque just to the right of these doors noting that this is the former location of the Sacramento Firehouse #3. Stop for a moment in front of this plaque I have another story to tell.

Some of the ship captains who arrived here in Sacramento at the onset of the gold rush in 1848 abandoned their ships at the dock and headed straight off to the gold fields. The canvas sails and wood hulls left behind then became building material for the first buildings in the new town of Sacramento. Canvas and wood were no match for fire.

In April 1850, Front Street between J and K turned into an inferno. But this would be minor compared to Sacramento’s great fire of November 2, 1852. Known as the Great Conflagration, this fire destroyed the majority of these hastily built structures.

The resiliency of Sacramento is unparalleled, within a month, over 700 structures were re-built. This time the buildings were constructed out of brick with iron shutters to help prevent future fires from spreading.

As a result of this fire, the city required all future buildings to be erected out of brick and funded the construction of 9 fire stations, including the one at this location, Engine Company No. 3. This building served the volunteers of Engine Company No 3 for almost 70 years.

In 1960 this was the first building restored within the newly designated historic district of Old Sacramento. Renovated into a bar and restaurant reminiscent of the Gold Rush Era, The Firehouse Restaurant opened for business in 1960. This fine dining establishment has regularly attracted governors, politicians, diplomats, sports and entertainment celebrities. Ronald Reagan held both of his gubernatorial inaugural dinners here. And on a more personal note, as children, my husband and his siblings each looked forward to the day they turned 13 and got to celebrate becoming teenagers with an extra special dinner at the Firehouse.

When you are ready, continue walking toward the corner. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Old Sacramento
Tower Bridge
Sacramento River
Theodore Judah Monument
The Firehouse Restaurant
Lady Adams Building (California Historical Landmark No. 603)
Sacramento Visitor Center
Pony Express Statue
Pioneer Square
California State Railroad Museum
Sacramento History Museum
Delta King Hotel

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
1289 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
Total distance

2km
Final location
1000 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
Distance back to start location

244.54m

Directions to Starting Point

Starting Point for Walking Tour: 1 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA

The starting point is in the small tree shaded patio on the southwest corner of the 1 Capitol Mall building. This patio is at the intersection of Capitol Mall and Neasham Circle in front of the Capitol Mall entrance to the Tower parking garage near Tower Bridge.

Park in Tower Parking Garage Old Town (or see other options below)
135 Neasham Cir
Old Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

PARKING OLD TOWN SACRAMENTO (Please note select businesses validate parking)

Street Parking is by meter - Two-hour metered street parking is available throughout Old Sacramento Waterfront 7-days a week from 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

Old Sacramento Garage, entrance on I Street between 3rd and 2nd (Weekend parking all day $15 subject to change)

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Below are addresses, phone numbers, and websites (as of May 2023) for optional places to stop along the way. I have listed a number of restaurants, museums and activities. All addresses are in Old Town Sacramento

Top Hand Ranch Carriage Rides: Departing from 1002 2nd Street / 916/496-0102
City Cruises by Hornblower: 1206 Front Street - 916/446-1185
Excursion Train Rides: Central Pacific Railroad Station 930 Front Street - 916/ 445-5995 - Runs April through September
Delta King Pilot House Restaurant
Rio City Cafe: 1110 Front Street - 916/442-8226
Firehouse Restaurant
Stage Nine Entertainment Store: 102 K Street - open daily 10am to 9pm
McGee's Old Time Photos: 103 K Street 916/442-7234 Open Daily 10am to 4pm
O’Grady’s Old Time Photos: 1026 2nd Street 916/508-5059

Evangeline Costume Mansion: 113 K Street - Open daily 10am to 9pm
Visitor Center: 1000 2nd Street - Open daily 11am to 4pm

The Underground Tasting Room: 900 2nd Street in Pioneer Square - open Thursday 3 - 7pm, Fri - Sunday 1 to 7pm
California State Railroad Museum: 111 I Street open daily 10am to 5pm
Sacramento History Museum: 101 I Street open daily 10am to 5pm - 916/ 808-7059

Best time of day

Daytime hours are best. If you are interested in visiting the stores, or museums, these open around 10:00am. For a list of all museum times please see Places to Stop Along the Way.

Precautions

Car break-ins can happen anywhere. Always cover your valuables and lock the doors of your car when parked in or around Old Town Sacramento. When crossing any streets please make sure on coming cars see you and have stopped. Always be mindful of your surroundings and watch for tripping hazards and uneven ground.

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