Walking Tours
These unique tours through Downtown Sacramento introduce visitors and residents to people, places and events that shaped California history. From John Sutter to Cesar Chavez, the tours cover more than 150 years of state and local history with topics that range from art and architecture to cultural, religious and urban history.
Call 916-442-8575 or email dsp(at)downtownsac.org to make a reservation. Each of these guided walking tours last approximately one to two hours.
FEATURED TOURS:
Old Sacramento Speakeasy Tour | Rich History & Dirty Little Secrets
DSP tour guide and history buff, Shawn Peter, takes you on a guided tour through Old Sacramento’s underground watering holes. The tour begins at the River City Saloon, an Old Town bar decorated in prohibition-era style. Your group will head to several other speakeasy spots including the famed Delta King Riverboat, which at the time served as a ‘floating’ hotspot for illegal drinking, jazz bands, gambling and fine dining.
Along the way, you’ll learn fascinating tidbits about the people and events that shaped the city’s early history as one of the ‘wettest cities in the union’ during this pivotal era in American history. Order a prohibition-era themed cocktail (or simply your favorite drink) available for purchase at participating tour stops. This tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
- WHEN: Every third Saturday 5:30 pm – 8pm
- STARTING POINT: River City Saloon, 916 2nd Street in Old Sacramento
- COST: $10 per person for Speakeasy
Tour participants must be 21 years of age or older. Tickets for this tour must be pre-purchased, please, no walk ups.
Rock & Roll History Tour & Pub Crawl | Locally grown, internationally known
Sacramento has a reputation as a strong local music scene, but plenty of national acts have made music history in our Downtown as well. Dig deep into Sactown’s rich music history, and learn about some of our most fun, fascinating, and mischievous stories on our Rock & Roll History Tour through Downtown Sacramento.
On the tour, learn about Sacramento’s contributions to the contemporary popular music scene. Shawn Peter, your tour guide, will take you from the Torch club to Republic, Capitol Garage and de Vere’s Irish Pub while he fills you in on Downtown’s historical connection to The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, Nirvana and more. As he gives you the scoop, he’ll also let your group stop, have a drink and mingle at each location. The tour price includes a beer ticket that you can use the next day at the Friday Night Concerts in the Park series at Cesar Chavez Plaza!
This tour is currently only given by appointment. Check back May 2013 for regular dates during the Concerts in the Park season.
- WHEN: By appointment: 916-442-2200
- STARTING POINT: Torch Club, 904 15th Street, just west of the Memorial Auditorium
- COST: $10 per person, drinks not included. Each tour includes one beer ticket to use at Concerts in the Park on Friday.
Tour participants must be 21 years of age or older. Tickets for this tour must be pre-purchased.
DAILY TOURS: Call 916-442-2200 for reservations.
Same day tours available!
Art is All Around Us | A tour of Sacramento’s collection of art in public places
Starting at 4th and K Street, this walking tour will showcase Sacramento’s beautiful public art while our tour guides explains the who, how, and why behind the art. Discover each art piece, each with their own unique perspective, and learn about the artists and the history behind the creation. You will see Sacramento’s impressive collection of permanent works of art that has been integrated into Downtown Sacramento’s urban environment. See works by both notable, and national artists. This tour was developed in partnership with the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places Program.
WHEN: By appointment: 916-442-2200
STARTING POINT: Indo Arch outside of Downtown Plaza at 4th & K streets
COST: $10 per person
Tales of the Central City | An overview of early Sacramento history
Starting in Caesar Chavez Memorial Park, and ending at Downtown Sacramento’s last original house, you’ll learn about Sacramento’s Downtown, from our earliest residents, to present day. On this tour you’ll learn about the State Capitol, psychedelic murals, our last posting hitch, Nirvana performing at The Crest Theater, Leland Stanford Jr. haunting The Stanford Mansion, a chandelier The Pope himself gave to the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral , and who built Sacramento’s early land marks and why. This 60-90 min. walking tour will leave you with fun facts and a deep understanding of Sacramento history.
WHEN: By appointment: 916-442-2200
STARTING POINT: Cesar Chavez Plaza at 9th & J streets
COST: $10 per person
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow | K Street commerce, growth and redevelopment
Starting in Old Sacramento and ending at our Tower Bridge, learn about Sacramento’s rich history of development. From the early days of John Sutter landing establishing Sacramento as New Helvetia, to the Gold Rush boomtown history, and how Sacramento evolved into the modern city with small town charm we see today. See Sacramento’s original west-end, new additions to our sky line, and K street. Learn about the Rail Yards, China Town, historic hotels, the Crocker Art Museum. Sacramento’s dark past just might surprise you on this 60-90 minute walking tour, and by the end you’ll see why we are excited about Sacramento’s future.
WHEN: By appointment: 916-442-2200
STARTING POINT: Delta King docks at Front & K streets
COST: $10 per person
SEASONAL TOURS
The Art of Terra Cotta | An architecture tour featuring local clay artisans Gladding McBean
This tour will discuss the history of terra cotta as an architectural art form and will highlight downtown’s best examples of this turn-of-the-century technique. This tour emphasizes the contribution of the Gladding McBean studio, one of the region’s best cultural and artistic assets, which has provided terra cotta tiles, pipes and sculpture for customers worldwide. Based in Lincoln, California, this studio has been in continual operation since 1874. As you’ll see on the tour, many downtown buildings still showcase the studio’s early works. This tour will highlight these structures as well as discuss the evolution of this notable clay studio, the process of working with this unique type of clay, and the studio’s legacy on the art of terra cotta. Mike Munson leads this tour.
NOTE: This tour is currently by prior reservation only. We are happy to offer it for your group. Call 916-442-2200
Structural Stories | Local examples of historical architecture styles
Stroll through the ages of architectural history right here in Downtown Sacramento. From our renaissance-style Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and the graceful art deco shapes of Crest Theatre, to Chicago-style architecture, we will show you local examples of the world’s finest styles. Shawn Peter leads this tour.
NOTE: This tour is currently by prior reservation only. We are happy to offer it for your group. Call 916-442-2200
