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California, United States

Old Sacramento Waterfront

Gold Rush riverfront where the fireworks go off at 9; 2 nights on or near the water. This guide pulls together 3 sights, 1 activity and 1 outdoor spot from our curated routes.

Plan Old Sacramento Waterfront with friendsBrowse 8 places
Old Sacramento Waterfront, California, United States
Places
8

3 See · 1 Do · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Stay

Curated routes
1

Sacramento New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

37°C / 98°F avg high

Coolest month
December

14°C / 57°F avg high

Wettest month
December

about 118 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Old Sacramento Waterfront

8 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Old Sacramento Waterfront in Old Sacramento. 2 of them are free.

  • Tower Bridge in Old Sacramento WaterfrontPhoto: Tony Webster · CC BY-SA 2.0
    See

    Tower Bridge

    The gold 1935 vertical-lift bridge over the Sacramento River, lit at night and open to walk across to West Sacramento.

    Tip Walk it at dusk on Dec 30 for the classic view back to Old Sac.

    • Old Sacramento
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Dusk
  • Old Sacramento State Historic Park in Old Sacramento WaterfrontPhoto: ZaBanker · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Old Sacramento State Historic Park

    Blocks of Gold Rush-era brick buildings, wooden boardwalks and shops along the river, strung with lights for the holidays.

    • Old Sacramento
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Evening
  • California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento WaterfrontPhoto: BenFranske · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    California State Railroad Museum

    Restored locomotives and rail cars in a big hall at the north end of Old Sac, including a sleeper car you can walk through.

    Tip Go on Dec 30 or the morning of Dec 31; check holiday hours.

    • Old Sacramento
    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Morning

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Old Sacramento Waterfront in Old Sacramento.

  • Do

    Countdown on the Cobblestones

    Old Sacramento's free New Year's Eve party, with bands and DJs on K and Front streets and a 9 p.m. fireworks and light show.

    Tip There is only one countdown, at 9 p.m.; arrive by 8 to stand near the Holiday Tree.

    • Old Sacramento
    • Free
    • 4 hr
    • Dec 31, 5 to 10 p.m.

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Old Sacramento Waterfront.

  • Outdoors

    River Walk Park

    A riverside path in West Sacramento with a straight-on view of Tower Bridge and the Old Sacramento waterfront.

    Tip Watch the 9 p.m. show from here if you want space away from the crowd.

    • West Sacramento
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Dec 31, 9 p.m.

Eat

2 places to eat across Old Sacramento and Downtown, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • The Firehouse Restaurant in Old Sacramento WaterfrontPhoto: Rojer · CC BY 2.0
    Eat

    The Firehouse Restaurant

    A special-night restaurant in an 1853 firehouse in Old Sacramento, with a courtyard and a long wine list.

    Tip Reserve early for Dec 31; the party is steps from the door.

    • Old Sacramento
    • $$$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dec 31 dinner
  • Eat

    Ella Dining Room & Bar

    A downtown dining room near the Capitol with seasonal California cooking and a busy bar.

    Tip A good early dinner before walking 15 minutes to the waterfront.

    • Downtown
    • $$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dec 31 dinner

Stay

Places to stay in Old Sacramento Waterfront in Old Sacramento.

  • Delta King in Old Sacramento WaterfrontPhoto: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Stay

    Delta King

    A 1927 paddlewheel riverboat moored on the Old Sacramento waterfront, now a hotel with a restaurant and bar on board.

    Tip Ask for a river-facing cabin; the fireworks launch nearby.

    • Old Sacramento
    • $$

How to fit Old Sacramento Waterfront into a trip

Old Sacramento Waterfront is stop 1 of 2 on our Sacramento New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift Old Sacramento Waterfront into your own plan.

Old Sacramento Waterfront month by month

Average daily highs run from 14°C / 57°F in December to 37°C / 98°F in July. December is the wettest month, with about 118 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Old Sacramento Waterfront weather and the best time to visit →

Near Old Sacramento Waterfront

8 other destinations from our guides within about 150 km (93 mi), measured in a straight line.

Old Sacramento Waterfront questions, answered

How many days do you need in Old Sacramento Waterfront?

Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Old Sacramento Waterfront. On our Sacramento New Year's Eve route it is stop 1 of 2 in a 3-day trip. The listed visit times for our 8 places add up to roughly 13 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Old Sacramento Waterfront best known for?

Gold Rush riverfront where the fireworks go off at 9; 2 nights on or near the water. Standouts on our list: Tower Bridge (The gold 1935 vertical-lift bridge over the Sacramento River, lit at night and open to walk across to West Sacramento); Old Sacramento State Historic Park (Blocks of Gold Rush-era brick buildings, wooden boardwalks and shops along the river, strung with lights for the holidays); California State Railroad Museum (Restored locomotives and rail cars in a big hall at the north end of Old Sac, including a sleeper car you can walk through).

When is the best time to visit Old Sacramento Waterfront?

Our Sacramento New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (37°C / 98°F), the coolest in December (14°C / 57°F) and the most rain in December (about 118 mm).

What are the best things to do in Old Sacramento Waterfront?

Start with Countdown on the Cobblestones, Tower Bridge, Old Sacramento State Historic Park, California State Railroad Museum and River Walk Park. Our guide lists 8 places in all, from 3 sights, 1 activity, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat and 1 place to stay.

Where should a group eat in Old Sacramento Waterfront?

Our picks: The Firehouse Restaurant (Old Sacramento); Ella Dining Room & Bar (Downtown). Reserve early for Dec 31; the party is steps from the door (The Firehouse Restaurant).

What is near Old Sacramento Waterfront?

The closest destinations in our guides are Capitol Park & Midtown (about 1 km / 1 mi), Napa (about 67 km / 42 mi) and Sonoma (about 89 km / 55 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Old Sacramento Waterfront with your crew

Open the Sacramento New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 8 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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