Bus to and from Sacramento, CA from $2.99

Home to an array of wineries, museums and unique tourist locations, Sacramento is one of the most underrated vacation spots in California. Located just three hours north of San Francisco by bus, Sacramento has a cozy city feel with a bustling nightlife. Known as the “City of Trees”, California’s capital city is known for beautiful green, forest-like landscapes and  breathtaking views. For a night out on the town, K Street in Midtown is home to a wide variety of upscale bars and restaurants that will leave a lasting impression. Or, for a low-key cozy vibe, check out Midtown’s large selection of coffee shops, hip cafes and breweries. If you’re hoping to catch a basketball game, watch the Kings play their home court in Downtown Sacramento. No matter what you are looking for, there is a high chance that Sacramento will offer it.    

One could easily spend the day in Midtown Sacramento with its many vintage shops, farmers markets and cool art scene. 

The Midtown area is a cultural hub for art, music and nightlife. You won’t be able to miss the amazing street art, with murals covering most of the neighborhood’s walls. Many of these murals have been painted during the annual Wide Open Walls mural festival, which brings both local and international artists to Sacramento and has produced over 600 murals in the neighborhood. 

Being surrounded by farms, it’s no surprise that Sacramento has an incredible farmer’s market every Saturday that is enjoyed by both locals and visitors. Swing by to pick up some fresh fruit and veggies and maybe even get breakfast from one of the 50 onsite vendors. 

With a range of cool restaurants, cafes and bars, Midtown is the place to be on a night out in Sacramento! It is also home to Second Saturday Art Walk, where you can explore local artwork, enjoy live music and eat at the many food vendors. For a night of theatrical entertainment, head to The B Street Theatre, which is an institution in Sacramento that has kept audiences coming back for 30 years to view shows that range from contemporary theater to live music.

When you get off your bus, you will want to walk straight through the heart of Downtown Sacramento. Downtown is the central business district and one of the busiest and liveliest areas in the city. The neighborhood is packed full of museums and parks which let you explore Sacramento’s role in Californian history. 

A highlight of Downtown Sacramento is the California State Capitol Museum. Take a guided tour through the building and learn about the city’s history, including the gold rush and the American-Mexican War, as well as the present-day operations of the California government. Take a minute to relax in the surrounding Capitol Park and admire the building’s architecture before heading down to the Crocker Art Museum. Opened in 1871, the museum is the longest continuously operating art museum on the West Coast and home to one of the largest collections of ceramics in the US. The Crocker Museum also houses the state’s largest collection of Californian art, dating from the gold rush to the present day, as well as pieces ranging from the Renaissance paintings to modern photography.

These are only two of the many museums located in Downtown Sac; if you want to learn even more about Sacramento’s history, check out the California Museum, the Wells Fargo History Museum and the California Automobile Museum.

Old Sacramento State Historic Park is a 28-acre hot spot for visitor and locals alike. Built during the boom of the gold rush, the neighborhood is full of old saloons, shops and museum that still reflect this historical era. Stretch your legs after your bus journey and join one of the offered tours such as the Gold Fever Tour where you can learn what it was like to live during the 1850s boom. Or, explore underground Sacramento with costumed guides to learn how the city managed to survive disaster floods. 

Also located in this historic area are the California State Railroad Museum and the Sacramento History Museum. The railroad museum features historic locomotives and films telling the history of trains and their impact on the growth of America’s west coast. History lovers should also visit the Sacramento History Museum and explore the life of the area’s first inhabitants and the pioneers who came from all over the world during the gold rush.

In the evening, take a walk along the beautiful Sacramento River or even catch a ride on the Delta King where you can wine and dine in the Pilothouse restaurant or catch a show. The ship also hosts a Suspects Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, where they create an interactive, real-life who-done-it.