Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of California.
A river city shaped by the Gold Rush and early transportation routes.
What makes the capitol special
California’s Capitol was finished in 1874 with one of the tallest state capitol domes in the U.S. The building features columns made of Italian marble and a beautifully painted central hall called a rotunda. It is surrounded by Capitol Park, a large garden with hundreds of different types of trees, some planted as far back as the 1870s.
Three places to visit
- Old Sacramento Waterfront – Step back in time to the Gold Rush era in this historic district located right by the river.
- California State Railroad Museum – Explore powerful locomotives and learn how trains helped shape California and the West.
- Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park – Visit this restored fort from the 1840s, which marks the spot where the settlement of Sacramento began.
How the city got its name
Sacramento gets its name from the Sacramento River. A Spanish explorer named the river “Santísimo Sacramento,” or “Holy Sacrament,” around 1808. This name reflects the early influence of the Catholic religion in the region.
Why this city became the capital
Sacramento became California’s capital in 1854. It was chosen because it was wealthy from the Gold Rush, centrally located, and easy to reach by river and railroad. Before Sacramento, California had three short-term capitals: San Jose (1849- 1851), Vallejo (1852-1853), and Benicia (1853-1854).
From Celine Carlson’s 50 State Capitals: A Field Guide by a Girl Who Visited Them All, based on her visits to all 50 state capitals. About the author · Sources and research notes.