Where to Stay in Sacramento

Welcome to the capital city of the state of California! It is also known as the “City of Trees” as it has more trees per capita than most other cities globally. Home to the California State Capitol Museum and many other attractions, Sacramento has managed to steal the hearts of many travelers over the years.

Expect a lot of diversity in this town, plus a few historic buildings, a cool restaurant in every district, and fabulous places to stay! While I hope I don’t scare you away, I’m sure all the history enthusiasts will love the fact that the original city of Sacramento is underground! The town was prone to flooding and after a big storm in 1862, everyone was finally fed up and so they built the town up a level to where it sits today!

I could go on and on, but we have to attend to more serious business, like where to stay in Sacramento. Search all you want, you won’t find better hotels than the ones on my list! From budget to luxury I’ve managed to find the best spots with amazing rooms and even a swimming pool or two. All you have to do is to book them in advance, as the capital city of California, you can imagine that Sacramento is filled with tourists all year round!

Let’s go, we’ve got lots to see in Sacramento, California!

If you are in a hurry

If you want to book now then quickly browse this list and check all the best hotels in Sacramento all located in Downtown

Here’s a map that will help you visualize all the areas where to stay in Sacramento, CA that I will be talking about in this post 

1. Downtown Sacramento – where to stay in Sacramento for the first time

Welcome to one of the most diverse American cities which is often overlooked by travelers in favor of its more famous brothers and sisters like Los Angeles and San Francisco. 

If this is your first visit to this bustling area, I definitely recommend booking a hotel in Downtown Sacramento located just 10 miles (15 km) northwest of the Sacramento International Airport. Just make sure you do it in advance as this is one of the most popular areas among tourists. 

Its popularity goes way back to the days of the Gold Rush period when James W. Marshall found gold in Coloma, a nearby area. That motivated ~300,000 people to come to California!

Expect amazing architecture in this location, that combines the old with the new and tons of attractions! This neighborhood is also known as the central business district of the city and is home to the Sacramento Convention Center as well as being a haven for foodies and people who love to visit historic museums.

Downtown Sacramento certainly has something for every type of traveler and if you’re in the mood for a road trip to another location, Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe are both under a three-hour car drive away!

Most attractions in Sacramento Downtown are within walking distance of anywhere you stay in Sacramento center, so take your time to explore the area, take in the views during your trip, talk to some friendly people and just enjoy the atmosphere in this center location!

Other options in Downtown Sacramento

Things to do in Downtown Sacramento

• Visit the California State Capitol Museum
• Take a stroll around the Capitol Park
• Catch a live performance or have coffee at one of the cafes in the César Chávez Plaza
• See some cool art at the Crocker Art Museum in the city center
• Check out the farmer’s market in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Park
• Admire the cool architecture of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament 
• Learn new things at the California Museum in the city center
• Catch a play at the Sacramento Convention Center

2. Midtown Sacramento – trendiest place to stay in Sacramento

Located east of Downtown Sacramento near Arden and Cal Expo, this is one of the coolest neighborhoods to stay in the city! Besides having some of the best hotels in town, Midtown Sacramento is a pedestrian and bike-friendly area, making it perfect for travelers and tourists!

If you’re interested in arts, culture, and having some fun after the sun goes down in one of the LGBTQ+ bars, Midtown Sacramento, won’t disappoint you!

Explore the streets of this neighborhood in East Sacramento, CA, and search around for some amazing restaurants with terraces. What better way to end a day of sightseeing than to have a glass of wine and eat a delicious dinner overlooking the city.

Make sure you prepare your purse because I’m sure you’ll want to visit every local boutique shop, vintage store, and small cafe here. Midtown Sacramento is known for having some of the most amazing shopping spots in the city!

You won’t see as many office buildings as in Downtown Sacramento, as this neighborhood has more residences and some of them are really old, which adds to the charm of the area that all travelers love. If you want to see one of the oldest establishments here, you can visit Sutter’s Fort Historic Park in the east part of the city.

Other options in Midtown Sacramento

Things to do in Midtown Sacramento

• Search for hidden gems in all the boutique shops and vintage stores in the east district
• Visit one of the oldest establishments in the city, Sutter’s Fort Historic Park
• Eat at the best restaurants on the east side of the city, near Arden
• Have a drink at the Flamingo House Social Club 
• Admire some art at the B Sakata Garo Gallery
• Relax in the family-friendly Albert Winn Park

3. Old Sacramento – where to stay in Sacramento for history lovers

Located on the banks of the Sacramento River, just 10 miles (15 km) away from Sacramento International Airport, Old Sacramento is definitely one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in the city!

On top of the stunning old architecture of the historic houses, the area is located near the water and has a cute Tower Bridge, maybe not as famous as the one in London, but it sure gives it a run for its money! And at night, just as the first star in the sky appears, the views get even better when they turn on the fairy lights! What a magical and romantic sight!

This city area is also known as the “Old Sac” and it serves as a home for a few 19th-century buildings. You’ll get the chance to learn so many cool and interesting things about the town’s history at the museums! That’s why I think all people interested in these topics should find accommodations here and stay in this part of the city as they’ll be super close to the best attractions.

A must-see in Old Sacramento is the California State Railroad Museum and the Sacramento History Museum where you can take a tour of the forgotten underground city of Sacramento that I mentioned earlier. You can’t really choose between the two, you’ll definitely have to visit both during your trip!

Other accommodation options in Old Sacramento

Things to do in Old Sacramento

4. Davis – best place to stay in Sacramento for families

Located on the west side of the city, 20 miles (30 km) away from Downtown Sacramento, and 20 miles (30 km) away from the Sacramento International Airport, Davis is a tranquil town. It’s perfect for those of you who are looking for accommodation far from the hustle and bustle of the city center.

This neighborhood is also home to the University of California, which means that you probably won’t find cheaper hotels in Sacramento than here and affordable restaurants too. Experience the quiet side of town and take long walks with the kids in Central Park.

I highly suggest you visit the Farmers Market which is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I love them! Every time I go on holiday I do my research and see if I can find any of these cool markets, you get to buy so much good food, specific to that particular area, what can be better than that? Take a blanket, buy some food from the market and have a picnic in the park! I’m sure the whole family will enjoy that!

This district is also home to a few cool attractions of its own like the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, where the kids can admire a historic collection of bicycles and if you’re more into artsy stuff then you’ll find Pence Gallery a lovely spot! If you’re looking for some more fun kids’ activities, take a day trip to Oakland while you’re here!

Davis has some of the best hotels in Sacramento with family rooms and a central location so let’s find the best ones.

Other accommodation options in Davis

Things to do in Davis

• Enjoy a nice day in Central Park with the family
• Explore the University of California campus area 
• Admire the art at Pence Gallery
• Have a family breakfast in one of the cafes
• Buy some delicious street food from the Farmers Market
• Visit the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame

Frequently asked questions about Sacramento

Conclusion

That’s it from me! I hope this post helped you decide where to stay in the historic city, which are the best hotels in Sacramento, CA with amazing suites, and which location to search and see first.

I know you have lots of amazing options but here are my two favorite hotels in Sacramento, both located in Downtown

Don’t forget these are the best hotels in Sacramento, CA, and if I were you I would make sure I book the accommodations in advance, just so you can get the best deals and prices.

I hope you have fun exploring the historic district in Sacramento, CA! Always search for the best restaurant in the area you’re in and don’t forget to leave me a comment about your experience or if you have any questions about this amazing city.

Safe travels,

Victoria