Ashley & Tyler
Things To Do
DOCO - Downtown Commons
Great centralized spot for some shopping, dining, and a Kings game @ the Golden One Center if they're in town (shout out to Alex Sigua, the Director of Media Relations).
Old Sacramento
Old Sacramento is the riverfront historic district, with Gold Rush-era buildings, cobblestone streets, and horse-drawn carriages. Registered as a national historic landmark, the Waterfront overflows with invigorating things to see and do--museums, riverboat rides, horse carriages, souvenir shops, and restaurants! Insider tip: It can feel a bit touristy and draw a unique crowd.
California Museum
One of our favorite museums! They always have unique exhibits, but this spot is great for all ages. From the California Missions and Indigenous Peoples to Women Changing Our World and the Unity Center. We highly recommend this as a spot to see
Crocker Art Museum
The oldest art museum west of the Mississippi River! The collection includes American works dating from the Gold Rush to the present, European paintings and master drawings, one of the largest international ceramics collections in the U.S., and collections of Asian, African, and Oceanic art.
California State Capitol Museum
Right across from the Citizen Hotel is the state Capitol! You can get a guided tour around the museum or walk around unaided. The whole building is a museum, but it's the basement and first floor where you will see the most interesting things.
State Capitol Park & World Peace Rose Garden
Peace-themed Victorian-style rose garden within a park, with a fountain & pavilion. A nice spot to walk around and where we'll be doing our first look the day of the wedding!
Sutter's Fort State Historic Park
Created by John Sutter in 1839 the fort was a hive of activity until an employee of the fort discovered the gold (about 45 miles east of the fort) that started the Californian Gold Rush. After this, the fort was abandoned and left as it was. The fort has now been completely restored to its former glory and placed on the register of National Historic Landmarks.
California State Railroad Museum
Uncle Stuart, this has your name all over it! The California State Railroad Museum is among the world's largest railway museums. Located in Old Sacramento, it houses restored steam locomotives and railway coaches dating from 1862 to 1944. Almost all the wagons can be viewed inside. Exhibits also focus on railroad history and other related topics. Families with children will appreciate the Kids' Corner educational programs and All Aboard for Story Time book readings.
Midtown & Midtown Farmers Market
Midtown is a vibrant area of the city located between 16th and 29th Streets and between E and R Streets. Great place for shopping, art gallery hopping, and dining at trendy restaurants. We enjoy visiting the Saturday Midtown Farmers Market, which brings together more than 50 farmers and other vendors selling fresh fruit, vegetables, and other locally made products.
California Automobile Museum
The California Automobile Museum's first collection housed the largest collection of Fords in the world and as the years went by the museum began to seek other makes of car. Today you can enjoy a truly diverse and exciting collection of over 150 classic cars, race cars, muscle cars, and early models.
Sacramento Zoo
The Sacramento Zoo is home to more than 500 exotic animals, from aardvarks and African lions to giraffes and jaguars, as well as more than 200 reptiles. Many of the zoo animals are rare and endangered. As a way to support wildlife protection, the zoo is involved in local and international conservation projects.
Sacramento River Cats
Spend a late spring day or evening watching the Triple A affiliate of the Oakland A’s play at gorgeous Raley Field in West Sacramento. The team has won numerous Pacific Coast League championships since coming to Sacramento in 2000. But baseball aside, with entertainment throughout the game, various “theme” nights and a lovable mascot named Dinger, you can’t go wrong with a day at this ballpark.
Fly Fish the American River
A favorite hobby of 2 of the Brandons in the wedding party, fly fishing is a great outdoor activity during spring in Sacramento. There are over forty species of fish to be found in the American River and over 100 bird species that make the surrounding area their home. Get some trout, steelhead, salmon, bass, sturgeon, or another kind of fishie of your liking!
Non-Napa Wine Country
Slightly closer and smaller than the Napa-Sonoma wine country region, there are great vineyards in Amador, Clarksburg, El Dorado, and Lodi. In Clarksburg, other than our wedding venue, we recommend Old Sugar Mill (pictured) and Heringer Estates. In Amador, we like Rancho Victoria.
The Kitchen Restaurant
High-end restaurant with a fixed-price dinner in a very unique open-kitchen setting. The Kitchen offers an ever-evolving seasonal menu. Taking cues from the farmers, ranchers, and mother nature herself, they create a weekly menu as part of a seasonal snapshot. The Kitchen has earned every imaginable local and regional award along with an impressive record of national accolades, including a Michelin star in 2019. Reservations are needed months in advance, but it's well worth it, so book now!
Mulvaney's B&L
The spot we went for our first "fancy" dinner in Sacramento on our would-be wedding night in 2020. Ashley fell in love with the melt-in-your-mouth hand-pulled mozzarella & local heirloom tomatoes and Tyler drooled over an off-menu chocolate dessert item! You'll get seasonal dishes and amazing service in a quaint Midtown spot. Reservations are likely needed as it's a hot spot!
Mendocino Farms
One of Ashley & Tyler's fave lunch spots with chef-driven sandwiches, salads, and all locally farm-sourced ingredients! Ashley recommends the Avocado and Quinoa Superfood Ensalada & Tyler loves the Peruvian Steak sandwich...usually accompanied by cheese fries from Shake Shack next door ;)