What to do in Sacramento while house and pet sitting

The Californian state capital, Sacramento, started out as a gold rush town and it’s now a modern and diverse city. It’s known for its history, green spaces and growing food and drink scene. Sacramento is sometimes called the City of Trees, which gets it off to a good start as a hometown for dogs!

The arboreal parks and streets provide welcome shelter from the Californian heat and there are plenty of cooling activities on the city’s two rivers. Sacramento has a vibrant LGBTQ community and a reputation for being a tolerant place to live. It’s a wonderful blend of old and new, with a great arts scene and plenty of places for a quality coffee.

There are so many exciting things to see in Sacramento. Take a look at our guide to this vibrant city.

Sacramento attractions

There are so many things to do in Sacramento, that it can be hard to know where to start when you first arrive here! We’ll get you started with a few of our favorite Sacramento attractions.

1. Capitol Park: the beautiful gardens surrounding the State Capitol are a wonderful place to relax in the midst of the city. Look out for trees from around the world and monuments to significant Californian events. The park also includes one of nine International World Peace Rose Gardens.

2. Crocker Art Museum: this diverse art collection is housed in the Crocker family mansion, dating back to the 1870s. The family collected art during their travels around Europe and the gallery has expanded to include other works such as Californian art and a collection of ceramics.

3. Old Sacramento State Historic Park: visit this National Historic Landmark to discover more about the old Gold Rush Sacramento. There are over 50 structures, including the Eagle Theater and the old Court building. There’s also a monument to the iconic Pony Express.

4. Sacramento History Museum: find out about local history in this fascinating museum near the river. The original Gold Rush-era town is actually underground and the museum operates guided tours of this spooky subterranean city.

Free things to do in Sacramento 

If you’re traveling on a budget, there are plenty of free activities in Sacramento. Try these...

1. Old Sacramento Waterfront: take a stroll around the old town, soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. Old Sac is a top spot for people watching, as well as enjoying the breeze from the river.

2. California State Capitol Museum: the magnificent State Capitol building is open to visitors on weekdays. You can visit some of the state rooms and see the impressive art collections. There’s also a program of exhibitions.

3. Farmers’ Markets: there are around 40 farmers’ markets to choose from in Sacramento. The city’s Farm-to-Fork culture has really taken off recently and the markets are getting better and better.

4. Tower Bridge: it wouldn’t be a visit to Sacramento without taking a walk across the famous yellow bridge. There are pedestrian walkways on both sides of the bridge, giving you great views of the city.

Fun things to do in Sacramento 

If you’re looking for something a bit different, there are plenty of fun places to visit in Sacramento.

1. Murals: there are over 650 murals in Sacramento, and this impressive collection gets added to every August when the Wide Open Walls festival takes place. Grab a map and go on a tour of the city’s incredible street art.

2. California State Railroad Museum: perfect for any fans of railroad travel, this museum celebrates Sacramento’s key role in North America’s first transcontinental line. The heritage locomotives and cars are incredible.

3. Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park: in 1839, Swiss settler John Sutter established his farm here, naming it New Helvetia. When gold was discovered in these parts, the settlement was abandoned. The original building has been recreated and there are fascinating self-guided tours.

4. American River Bike Trail: take some time away from the town and head off down the bike trail (AKA the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail) along the American River. The paved trail takes in swimming spots and parks and is well-served with restrooms, shade and water fountains. The full length is 32 miles and starts at Discovery Park.

What to do in Sacramento with pets?

There are plenty of fun things to do in Sacramento with your dog. Try these dog-friendly places... 

1. Go walkies along the waterfront: the American River Bike Trail isn’t just for bikes. It’s a lovely place to walk your dog and there are plenty of stop-off points for a cooling splash or a fun-filled scamper.

2. Explore Capitol Park: yes, the city’s landmark park is good for pooches, especially with all that lovely cool grass and shady trees.

3. Shop at Paws & The Palette Dog Bakery: how can anyone possibly resist picking up home-baked treats at this extra special bakery?

4. Visit a dog park: Sacramento has several great dog parks to visit. Try Glenbrook for its shade and doggy water fountain or Power Inn if your pooch likes a lot of space.

5. Relax in William Land Regional Park: humans and dogs will love this large, green park, which has lots of amenities and picnic areas and more trees than a dog can dream of...

And if you’re cat sitting? Look forward to relaxing with kitty on the couch, after a busy day exploring the city.

Best restaurants in Sacramento: Food and drink

As well as being the “City of Trees”, Sacramento is also known as America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital. This is celebrated in the city’s many farmers' markets and keep an eye out for additional food festivals throughout the year.

With all this fine local produce, it was tough coming up with a shortlist; however, here are some of the best restaurants in Sacramento.

Best restaurants in Sacramento for lunch 

Where are the top spots for a lunch break in Sacramento?

1. Emma’s Tamales: fancy a picnic lunch in the park or by the river? Head to Emma’s Tamales in the Waterfront for a great choice of meat, fish, veggie and vegan tamales. Fantastic food doesn’t have to be eaten in a restaurant.

2. Thai Farm House BBQ & Bistro: proper, home-cooked Thai food made from local ingredients. This tiny restaurant is always packed, but super-lively, and there’s also a take-out option.

3. South: fancy fried chicken? This is definitely the place to come for proper Southern family food, cooked well. If you can bear to break away from Petey’s fried chicken, try the house gumbo.

4. Sam’s Hof Brau: if you’re feeling hungry, Sam’s hand-carved, piled-high meat sandwiches are just the thing. Head here for an energy boost after cycling the American River Trail.

5. Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant: come here for vibrant, spicy food, with one of the most exciting vegetarian menus in town. When Covid-safe regulations allow, try their vegan lunch buffet.

Best restaurants in Sacramento for dinner

If you’re heading out for dinner, here are a few of the city’s popular places to eat.

1. Oak Park Brewing Co: as well as its own craft beers, this welcoming brewery serves up well-cooked favorites like burgers and chicken. There’s also a good selection of vegetarian dishes, and they serve brunch on a weekend.

2. The Delta King: treat yourself to dinner on this old riverboat that’s docked in Old Sac. There are two restaurants on board this most evocative of settings: the fine dining Pilothouse and the more casual Bar & Grill.

3. The River City Saloon: it's got to be done… This Old Sac saloon has a colorful history going back to the mid 19th century and there’s nowhere quite like it for a sub and a sarsaparilla. 

4. Kru: and onto somewhere completely different… This sophisticated restaurant and bar serves the most delicious contemporary Japanese food.  

5. Ella Dining Room & Bar: One of Sacramento’s fabulous farm-to-fork venues, serving incredible local produce alongside a great choice of wines. It’s run by the Selland family, which owns the famous Kitchen (but that’s a bit trickier to book…).

If you were wondering what to do in Sacramento, we hope we’ve answered your question! The City of Trees is a green and pleasant city to hang out and if you’re interested in American history, it really is a must-visit place.

The blend of cultures combines with quality locally produced ingredients to create a truly exciting food center. And after all, you’ll be feeling hungry after all those dog walks by the river!

House and pet sitting in Sacramento

Is Sacramento your kind of city? If the Californian capital sounds like a good fit for you, keep an eye on our Find a House Sit page. There are adorable pets in Sacramento who are just waiting to meet a friendly human like you. 

You’ll have a great time getting to know both your new four-pawed friend and this welcoming city.