Stroll through Gold Rush history in Old Sacramento

by Dave Williams

As a Sacramento native I can tell you without hesitation and with total, if biased, objectivity that a day spent visiting historic Old Sacramento is one your family will never forget.

Front Street, Old Sacramento

Unlike any other "old town" in the West, this unique 28-acre National Historic Landmark District and State Historic Park is snuggled alongside the beautiful Sacramento River. Bustling with activity, the district is alive with shopping, riverfront dining, entertainment, historical attractions and world-renowned museums set among the original cobblestone streets and Gold Rush-era brick and wood landmarks. Here, you will find a 15-foot bronze statue at the western terminus of the Pony Express as well as the world-famous California State Railroad Museum and underground tours.

The Delta King original paddlewheel hotel

Every Memorial Day Weekend Old Sacramento challenges Disneyland for its claim to being "the happiest place on Earth" when the internationally renowned Sacramento Jazz Festival brings the best traditional jazz musicians in the world to the state capital. This year more than 70 bands will blast their way through 450 sets of toe-tappin', cakewalkin' fun along the riverfront and within walking distance of major hotels. Old Sacramento is just a short drive for RVers hooked up at the nearby West Sacramento/Old Town KOA across the river. Cal Expo RV Park is a mere 15-minute drive.

SacJazz.com

If you're coming in for the Jazz Festival make your reservations asap. For information on other special events, activities and the history of what was originally known as Sutter's Embarcadero, visit the official website.

Then, bring the family for at least one full day in Old Sacramento. The memories will last you a lifetime.