40 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Sacramento & Gold Country: Where to Stay and Where to Eat!
Planning a Sacramento and Gold Country trip with kids? Climb aboard giant locomotives at the California State Railroad Museum, walk the wooden sidewalks of Old Sacramento and pan for gold where the Gold Rush began in Coloma. Then follow Highway 49 to mine tours, caverns, steam trains and giant sequoias. Base yourself in Sacramento for a few days, then add a night in a Gold Rush town.
We rounded up 40 things to do in Sacramento and Gold Country with kids, 10 family-friendly hotels, and 10 places to eat that kids actually love, with prices, hours and a parent tip for every pick. You'll also find the 2026 holiday dates (hello, Theatre of Lights and two Polar Express trains), Highway 49 road trip ideas and a sample weekend itinerary.
Key Takeaways
Best home base: Downtown Sacramento or Old Sacramento for walkable museums and riverfront fun; a historic hotel in Placerville, Grass Valley, Sutter Creek or Murphys for a Gold Country night.
Best free fun: Old Sacramento, Tower Bridge, the State Capitol and Capitol Park, Effie Yeaw Nature Center (parking fee), the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, Columbia State Historic Park and historic Main Streets along Highway 49.
Book ahead: Both Polar Express trains, Sacramento History Museum Underground Tours and holiday weekends at Gold Country hotels.
2026 holiday dates: Old Sacramento's tree lighting is Wednesday, Nov. 25, with free Theatre of Lights shows from Nov. 27 to Dec. 24; the Polar Express runs Nov. 13 to Dec. 21 in Sacramento and Nov. 27 to Dec. 20 at Railtown 1897; Columbia's Las Posadas is Dec. 13 and Miners Christmas is Dec. 19 and 20.
Heads up: Raging Waters Sacramento is closed, and the Sacramento Zoo is staying in Land Park for now. Many Gold Country mines and museums switch to weekend-only or reduced hours from November through March.
Easy getaway: Sacramento is about 385 miles from Downtown LA, so plan on a long weekend or a full week if you want to drive Highway 49.
Planning a Trip to Sacramento and Gold Country With Kids From LA
Getting to Sacramento From LA
Sacramento is about 385 miles north of Downtown LA on the I-5, so plan on roughly six to six and a half hours without traffic. The southern Gold Country towns of Sonora, Columbia and Jamestown are closer, at about 320 miles via Highway 99.
Sacramento International Airport has quick flights from LAX, Burbank, Long Beach and Ontario. Train-loving families can also ride Amtrak's Coast Starlight from Union Station to Sacramento, which takes most of a day.
Getting Around Sacramento and Gold Country With Kids
Downtown and Old Sacramento are easy to explore on foot once you park, but you'll want a car for everything else. Highway 49 links the Gold Rush towns from Nevada City in the north to Jamestown in the south, and the full drive takes about three and a half hours without stops.
Placerville and Coloma are about an hour east of Sacramento, Grass Valley and Nevada City are about an hour northeast, and Sutter Creek is about an hour southeast.
When to Visit and How Long to Stay
Spring and fall are the best times to visit, with mild weather, wildflowers in spring and apple season at Apple Hill in fall. Summers are hot in Sacramento and the foothills, while winter brings holiday trains, Victorian Christmas celebrations and snow at Calaveras Big Trees.
Plan two days for Sacramento and two or three days for Gold Country. In winter, many mines and small museums run on weekend-only hours, and chains may be required on Highway 4 above Arnold after storms, so check the website and Caltrans road conditions before you go.
Things to Do in Sacramento With Kids
California's capital is packed with Gold Rush history, from trains and riverboats in Old Sacramento to a rebuilt pioneer fort and a free tour of the State Capitol.
Where: Front Street and 2nd Street, between I Street and L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Cost: Free to walk
Ages: All ages
This historic riverfront district has wooden sidewalks, Gold Rush-era buildings, candy shops and the Delta King riverboat docked along the Sacramento River. Kids love the horse-drawn carriages and the old-time storefronts.
Parent Tip: Park in the Old Sacramento Garage on I Street or the Tower Bridge Garage, since street parking fills up fast on weekends.
Address: 125 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; last admission at 4:30 p.m. (check the website)
Cost: About $12 adults and $6 kids 6 to 17; kids 5 and under free (check the website for current prices)
Ages: All ages
This is one of the best train museums in the country, with giant restored locomotives, a sleeping car that rocks like it's moving and a huge toy train collection. Little engineers can easily spend half a day here.
Parent Tip: Don't miss the sleeping car, and plan your visit around nap time, since it's easy to stay longer than you think.
Where: Central Pacific Passenger Station, Front Street and J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Season: Weekends from spring through mid-October (check the website for the 2027 schedule)
Cost: About $18 adults and $10 kids 6 to 17 in coach; kids under 6 free (check the website for current prices)
Ages: All ages
This train ride rolls along the Sacramento River in open-air and enclosed cars. It's a fun way to add a real train ride to your museum day.
Parent Tip: Ask for a spot in an open-air car on a mild day, and buy tickets at the ticket office at 930 Front Street.
Address: 101 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Cost: Underground Tours about $30 adults and $25 kids 6 to 17; kids 5 and under free (check the website for current prices)
Ages: Best for ages 6 and up
The museum shares Sacramento's Gold Rush story, and its guided Underground Tours lead families beneath Old Sacramento to see how the city raised its streets to escape floods. Kids love peeking into the hidden spaces under the sidewalks.
Parent Tip: Tours are limited to 20 people and leave right on time, so book online and arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
5. Tower Bridge
Where: Tower Bridge, connecting Capitol Mall to West Sacramento
Sacramento, CA 95814
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
Sacramento's golden lift bridge is the city's most famous landmark, and it has walkways on both sides for families to stroll across the river. If you're lucky, you'll see it rise to let a boat pass.
Parent Tip: Walk across at sunset for great photos of the bridge glowing gold.
Address: 1315 10th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Hours: Weekdays (check the website for current hours and tour times)
Cost: Free
Ages: Best for ages 6 and up
Families can explore the historic Capitol, peek into the legislative chambers and take a free guided tour. A big construction project is underway next door, but the historic building remains open to visitors.
Parent Tip: Bring a photo ID for adults, and check the website for tour times before you go.
7. Capitol Park
Where: Surrounding the State Capitol, between 10th Street and 15th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
The park around the Capitol has shady lawns, trees from around the world, a rose garden and plenty of very bold squirrels. It's a nice spot for a break between museums.
Parent Tip: Pack a picnic and let the kids run around on the lawns after your Capitol tour.
Address: 216 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday until 9 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday (check the website)
Cost: About $15 adults and $8 kids 6 to 17; kids 5 and under free (check the website for current prices)
Ages: All ages
The oldest public art museum in the West has a grand Victorian mansion, California art and a hands-on space where kids can create their own art.
Parent Tip: Look for family activity guides at the front desk to turn your visit into a scavenger hunt.
Address: 400 Jibboom Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Hours: Check the website for current hours
Cost: Check the website for current prices
Ages: Best for ages 3 to 14
This science museum inside an old power station on the river has hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and lots of buttons to push. It's a great indoor pick on a hot or rainy day.
Parent Tip: Check the planetarium schedule when you arrive and plan the rest of your visit around it.
Address: 2701 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (check the website)
Cost: About $5 adults and $3 kids 6 to 17; kids under 6 free (check the website for current prices)
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up
This rebuilt 1840s fort shows what life was like right before the Gold Rush, with a blacksmith shop, bakery, carpenter shop and rooms full of pioneer tools.
Parent Tip: There's only street parking, so look for a spot on the surrounding blocks, and visit on a weekday to avoid school groups.
More Family Fun Around Sacramento
Beyond downtown, Sacramento has a zoo and storybook park in Land Park, a nature center on the American River and two great spots for animal and airplane lovers.
11. Sacramento Zoo
Address: 3930 West Land Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95822
Hours: Check the website for current hours
Cost: Check the website for current prices
Ages: All ages
This cozy zoo in William Land Park is home to giraffes, lions, red pandas and more than 100 other species. Its small size makes it easy for little legs.
Parent Tip: Pair the zoo with Fairytale Town and Funderland across the street for a full day in Land Park.
12. Fairytale Town
Address: 3901 Land Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95822
Hours: March to October, daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; November to February, Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (check the website)
Cost: Check the website for current prices
Ages: Best for ages 1 to 8
This storybook park has play sets based on nursery rhymes and fairy tales, from Humpty Dumpty's wall to the Crooked Mile, plus farm animals and puppet shows.
Parent Tip: Come early on weekends, and bring a picnic, since there are tables throughout the park.
Where: William Land Park, across from Fairytale Town
Sacramento, CA 95822
Season: Closes for winter after Nov. 29, 2026, and reopens Feb. 5, 2027; Friday to Sunday hours in season (check the website)
Cost: About $25 kids 34 inches and up and $18 adults; kids under 34 inches free; free parking (check the website for current prices)
Ages: Best for ages 2 to 10
This little amusement park has been a Sacramento favorite for decades, with a kiddie coaster, teacups, a carousel and a small train. Grown-ups can ride most rides with their kids.
Parent Tip: Ticket sales stop one hour before closing, so plan to arrive with plenty of time.
Address: 2850 San Lorenzo Way
Carmichael, CA 95608
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November to January; trails open daily dawn to dusk (check the website)
Cost: Free (donations welcome); about $7 per car to park (check the website)
Ages: All ages
Inside Ancil Hoffman Park on the American River, this nature center has live animals, a Maidu village replica and easy trails where families often spot deer and wild turkeys.
Parent Tip: Walk the short trails in the morning for the best chance to see deer.
Address: 3200 Freedom Park Drive
McClellan Park, CA 95652
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (check the website)
Cost: About $18 adults and $15 kids 3 to 17; kids 2 and under free (check the website for current prices)
Ages: All ages
This museum on a former Air Force base has fighter jets, helicopters and space exhibits, both indoors and out on the flight line.
Parent Tip: Look for the planes kids can climb into, and wear sunscreen for the outdoor displays.
Address: 403 Stafford Street
Folsom, CA 95630
Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from October to April (check the website)
Cost: Check the website for current prices
Ages: All ages
This small zoo gives a forever home to rescued and non-releasable animals, including bears, tigers, wolves and monkeys. Each animal has a story, and kids love learning them.
Parent Tip: Make a morning of it and stroll historic Sutter Street in Folsom afterward.
Things to Do in Northern Gold Country With Kids
Head east and north from Sacramento to the place where the Gold Rush began, with gold panning in Coloma, a mine you can walk into in Placerville and Victorian towns in Grass Valley and Nevada City.
17. Apple Hill
Where: Farms off US-50 in Camino, east of Placerville
Camino, CA 95709
Season: Open year-round, busiest in fall; Christmas tree farms in November and December (check the website)
Ages: All ages
More than 50 family farms make up Apple Hill, with apple picking, pie and cider doughnut bakeshops, pumpkin patches and Christmas tree farms. Fall weekends feel like a giant harvest festival.
Parent Tip: Visit on a weekday or go early on weekends, since traffic on the farm roads backs up by late morning.
Address: 310 Back Street
Coloma, CA 95613
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November to February; museum 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in winter (check the website)
Cost: $10 per vehicle (check the website)
Ages: All ages
This is where James Marshall found gold in 1848 and started the California Gold Rush. Families can see a working replica of Sutter's Mill, historic buildings, a blacksmith shop and take gold panning lessons.
Parent Tip: Gold panning lessons are first come, first served and not offered when it's above 100 degrees, so call ahead to confirm times.
Address: 2635 Gold Bug Lane
Placerville, CA 95667
Hours: April to October, daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; November to March, weekends only, noon to 4 p.m. (check the website)
Cost: Check the website for current prices
Ages: Best for ages 4 and up
Kids can walk deep into a real hard-rock gold mine, see a stamp mill and hike wooded trails in this city park. The mine stays cool even on hot days.
Parent Tip: Bring a light jacket for the mine, and arrive before 3:30 p.m., when the last tour starts.
Where: Main Street and the Bell Tower, downtown Placerville
Placerville, CA 95667
Cost: Free to walk
Ages: All ages
Once called Hangtown, Placerville has a busy Main Street with old brick buildings, toy and candy shops and a historic bell tower. It's an easy stop between Apple Hill and Coloma.
Parent Tip: Stop at Sweetie Pie's for breakfast before your Gold Country day.
21. Old Town Auburn
Where: Lincoln Way and Commercial Street, Old Town Auburn
Auburn, CA 95603
Cost: Free to walk
Ages: All ages
Auburn's historic Old Town has Gold Rush buildings, a fire station with a tall tower and a giant statue of gold miner Claude Chana panning for gold. It's an easy stop off the I-80.
Parent Tip: Let the kids pose with the gold panner statue, then grab lunch nearby.
Address: 10791 East Empire Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November to February; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March to October (check the website)
Cost: About $5 per person ages 6 and up; kids 5 and under free (check the website for current prices)
Ages: All ages
One of California's richest gold mines, the Empire Mine has a peek into the main shaft, machine and blacksmith shops, the owner's stone cottage and gardens. Miles of trails wind through the forest.
Parent Tip: Guided tours depend on volunteers, so call ahead if you want to join one.
Where: Broad Street and Commercial Street, downtown Nevada City
Nevada City, CA 95959
Cost: Free to walk
Ages: All ages
This beautifully preserved Gold Rush town has gas lamps, Victorian buildings and fun shops along hilly streets. In December, it hosts its beloved Victorian Christmas celebration (2026 dates TBA, check the website).
Parent Tip: Wear comfy shoes, since the streets are steep, and park in the public lots off Broad Street.
Address: 23579 North Bloomfield Road
Nevada City, CA 95959
Hours: Park open sunrise to sunset; museum weekends 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November to May (check the website)
Cost: $10 per vehicle (check the website)
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up
Gold miners once blasted away a whole hillside here with water cannons, leaving a huge canyon of colorful cliffs. Families can hike around the pit and explore the historic town of North Bloomfield.
Parent Tip: Don't follow GPS onto dirt roads. Take the paved route via Highway 49 and Tyler Foote Road, which takes about 50 minutes from Nevada City.
Address: 5 Kidder Court
Nevada City, CA 95959
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., plus shorter weekday hours (check the website)
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Ages: All ages
This free museum has restored locomotives, old rail cars and a restoration shop where volunteers bring trains back to life. Short railbus rides run on Saturdays from April to October.
Parent Tip: Call ahead to reserve railbus seats during the riding season.
Where: South Yuba River State Park, off Pleasant Valley Road
Penn Valley, CA 95946
Cost: Check the website for current fees
Ages: All ages
One of the longest single-span wooden covered bridges in the world crosses the South Yuba River here, and families can walk through it after a big restoration. Easy trails follow the river.
Parent Tip: Stay out of the river in winter and spring, when the water is cold and fast.
Things to Do in Southern Gold Country With Kids
South of Sacramento, Highway 49 winds through Sutter Creek, Jackson, Columbia, Sonora and Jamestown, with mine tours, caverns, steam trains and giant sequoias.
Where: Main Street (Highway 49), downtown Sutter Creek
Sutter Creek, CA 95685
Cost: Free to walk
Ages: All ages
Sutter Creek's Main Street is lined with Gold Rush buildings, sweet shops, toy stores and covered sidewalks. It's a relaxing stop for an ice cream and a stroll.
Parent Tip: Visit in December for the Parade of Lights and Las Posadas (2026 dates TBA, check the website).
Where: Kennedy Mine Road, off Highway 49
Jackson, CA 95642
Season: March to October, weekends and holidays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; November to February, second Saturday of the month (check the website)
Cost: About $12 ages 13 and up and $6 kids 6 to 12; kids under 6 free (check the website for current prices)
Ages: Best for ages 6 and up
Guided surface tours show off the giant headframe of what was once one of the deepest gold mines in the world, plus the mine office and stamp mill.
Parent Tip: Drive a few minutes to see the giant Kennedy Tailing Wheels in a park off Jackson Gate Road.
Where: Pine Grove-Volcano Road, about 8 miles east of Jackson
Pine Grove, CA 95665
Hours: Park open sunrise to sunset; museum 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (check the website)
Cost: Check the website for current fees
Ages: All ages
This park protects a huge limestone outcrop dotted with more than 1,000 mortar holes, where Miwok people ground acorns for generations. There's also a reconstructed village, a ceremonial roundhouse and a museum.
Parent Tip: Walk the short loop trail around the village, and remind kids not to climb on the grinding rock.
Address: 11255 Jackson Street
Columbia, CA 95310
Cost: Free to walk; some activities have fees (check the website)
Ages: All ages
Columbia is a living Gold Rush town with no cars on Main Street, plus museums, a blacksmith, candy shops and old-time saloons serving sarsaparilla. Look for gold panning and stagecoach rides, which run on their own schedules.
Parent Tip: Check the website for activity days before you go, since some shops and rides keep shorter hours in winter.
Address: 10501 Reservoir Road
Jamestown, CA 95327
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from November to March; 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from April to October (check the website)
Cost: About $5 adults and $3 kids 6 to 17; kids 5 and under free (check the website for current prices)
Ages: All ages
This working railroad roundhouse has starred in hundreds of movies and TV shows, and kids can see steam locomotives up close. Excursion train rides run on weekends in season.
Parent Tip: Park admission is included with excursion train tickets, so ride the train if it's running on your visit.
Address: 5350 Moaning Cave Road
Vallecito, CA 95251
Hours: Thursday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Tuesday and Wednesday (check the website)
Cost: Check the website for current prices
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up
The walking tour spirals down into one of the largest single cave chambers in California. Older kids can try spelunking expeditions on weekends.
Parent Tip: Book online, and call ahead in stormy weather, since hours can change.
33. Mercer Caverns
Address: 1665 Sheep Ranch Road
Murphys, CA 95247
Hours: Winter, Thursday to Monday, from 10 a.m.; last tour at 4:30 p.m. (check the website)
Cost: About $24 adults and $18 kids 3 to 12 (check the website for current prices)
Ages: Best for ages 4 and up
This cave has been showing visitors its crystals for more than a century, with sparkling crystal formations along a 45-minute walk. It stays cool inside year-round.
Parent Tip: Wear sneakers with good grip, since the cave has lots of stairs.
Where: Main Street, downtown Murphys
Murphys, CA 95247
Cost: Free to walk
Ages: All ages
Murphys is a charming little town with tree-lined streets, Gold Rush buildings and plenty of spots for pizza, ice cream and treats.
Parent Tip: Make it your lunch stop between Mercer Caverns and Calaveras Big Trees.
Address: 1170 Highway 4
Arnold, CA 95223
Cost: $10 per vehicle (check the website)
Ages: All ages
Giant sequoias, some more than 1,000 years old, tower over the easy 1.7-mile North Grove Trail. Kids love walking through a fallen giant and standing on a huge sequoia stump.
Parent Tip: The North Grove gets snow every winter, so bring boots and check chain controls on Highway 4.
Holiday Fun in Sacramento and Gold Country (2026)
Sacramento and the Gold Rush towns celebrate the holidays in old-fashioned style, with a riverfront light show, two Polar Express trains and Christmas in Columbia.
Dates: Tree lighting Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026, from 5:30 p.m.; Theatre of Lights Nov. 27 to Dec. 20, 2026, plus Dec. 23 and 24
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. (check the website)
Where: K Street, Old Sacramento Waterfront
Sacramento, CA 95814
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
Old Sacramento lights its giant holiday tree, then the buildings along K Street come alive with a 20-minute show of lights, music and storytelling.
Parent Tip: Stand in the middle of K Street near Front Street for the best view, and bring warm layers.
Dates: Nov. 13 to Dec. 21, 2026, on select days (check the website)
Where: Central Pacific Passenger Station, 930 Front Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Cost: From about $80 per person in coach (check the website for current prices)
Ages: All ages; kids under 2 ride free on a lap
Kids wear pajamas, sip hot cocoa and listen to the story as the train rolls to the "North Pole" to meet Santa. Every child gets a silver sleigh bell.
Parent Tip: Tickets sell out quickly, so book early and pick an earlier departure for little ones.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Main Street, Columbia State Historic Park
Columbia, CA 95310
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
This candlelit procession follows Mary and Joseph down Columbia's Main Street as they search for shelter, with carols along the way.
Parent Tip: Bring flashlights and warm coats, since foothill nights get chilly.
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19 and 20, 2026, noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Main Street, Columbia State Historic Park
Columbia, CA 95310
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
Columbia celebrates a Gold Rush Christmas with old-time miners telling stories, roasted chestnuts, hot cider, old-fashioned crafts and decorated historic buildings. Father Christmas may stop by, too.
Parent Tip: Some activities may be canceled in wet weather, so check the forecast before you drive up.
Dates: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 27 to Dec. 20, 2026
Hours: Departures at 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (check the website)
Where: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, 10501 Reservoir Road
Jamestown, CA 95327
Cost: From about $85 per person (check the website for current prices)
Ages: All ages
This hour-long Polar Express ride departs from a real historic railroad, with cocoa, cookies, the story and a visit from Santa on board.
Parent Tip: Arrive about an hour early for parking and check-in, and use the restrooms first, since there are none on the train.
Where to Stay in Sacramento and Gold Country With Kids
Downtown and Old Sacramento hotels put you within walking distance of the Railroad Museum, the Capitol and the riverfront, while historic hotels in Gold Rush towns make a fun overnight on a Highway 49 road trip.
Every hotel name below links to live rates so you can compare prices for your dates.
Neighborhood: Old Sacramento
Address: 1000 Front Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Best for: Sleeping on a real riverboat
This 1927 paddlewheel riverboat is permanently docked in Old Sacramento and now has 44 cozy cabin-style rooms.
Parent Tip: Rooms are small, so it's best for families with one or two kids, and ask for a river-view room.
Neighborhood: Riverfront
Address: 100 Capitol Mall
Sacramento, CA 95814
Best for: Families who want a suite and a pool
This all-suite hotel next to Tower Bridge has an indoor pool and separate living areas, a short walk from Old Sacramento.
Parent Tip: Ask for a room with views of Tower Bridge.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 1209 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Best for: Walking to the Capitol
This big downtown hotel sits right across from the State Capitol and Capitol Park, with a pool and easy access to restaurants.
Parent Tip: Walk to Capitol Park in the morning and let the kids chase squirrels.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 1230 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Best for: A central downtown base
This large hotel near the convention center has a pool and spacious rooms in the heart of downtown.
Parent Tip: It's a good pick for families who want to walk to dinner downtown.
Neighborhood: Downtown Commons
Address: 500 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Best for: A pool deck near Old Sacramento
This stylish hotel next to the Golden 1 Center has a pool deck and is a short walk to Old Sacramento.
Parent Tip: Check the Golden 1 Center schedule, since the area gets busy on game and concert nights.
Neighborhood: Manteca
Address: 2500 Daniels Street
Manteca, CA 95337
Best for: An indoor water park
This family resort has a huge indoor water park, plus arcade games and activities, about an hour south of Sacramento.
Parent Tip: Stop here on the drive up or back from LA for a water park break.
Neighborhood: Placerville
Address: 300 Main Street
Placerville, CA 95667
Best for: Walking Placerville's Main Street
This historic hotel on Placerville's Main Street is a short drive from Coloma, Gold Bug Park and Apple Hill.
Parent Tip: Ask about rooms that fit your family before you book, since historic rooms vary in size.
Neighborhood: Grass Valley
Address: 212 West Main Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Best for: A Gold Rush hotel near Empire Mine
This restored Gold Rush hotel in downtown Grass Valley is close to Empire Mine and a short drive from Nevada City.
Parent Tip: Ask about room sizes and family-friendly options when you book.
Neighborhood: Sutter Creek
Address: 53 Main Street
Sutter Creek, CA 95685
Best for: Exploring Amador County
This historic hotel on Main Street puts you in walking distance of Sutter Creek's shops and close to Kennedy Gold Mine.
Parent Tip: Grab breakfast on Main Street, then head to Jackson or Indian Grinding Rock.
Neighborhood: Murphys
Address: 457 Main Street
Murphys, CA 95247
Best for: Caverns and Big Trees
This historic hotel has welcomed guests since the 1850s and is close to Mercer Caverns, Moaning Cavern and Calaveras Big Trees.
Parent Tip: The historic rooms are small, so ask about the modern rooms if you need more space.
Where to Eat in Sacramento and Gold Country With Kids
Sacramento and Gold Country are casual and family-friendly, with old-fashioned ice cream, classic cafes and Cornish pasties that miners once carried underground.
Address: 1001 Front Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
What to order for kids: A burger or mac and cheese
This Old Sacramento restaurant has a classic, old-time look and comfort food that's easy for families.
Parent Tip: It's an easy lunch stop right after the Railroad Museum.
Address: 1110 Front Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
What to order for kids: Pasta or a grilled cheese
This riverside restaurant has a big deck overlooking the Sacramento River and Tower Bridge.
Parent Tip: Ask for a table on the deck on a nice day.
Address: 1910 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
What to order for kids: Spaghetti with meat sauce
This family favorite serves big plates of pasta with bread, salad and spumoni, so kids eat well and parents save money.
Parent Tip: Go early on weekends, since the wait can be long.
Address: 1518 Broadway
Sacramento, CA 95818
What to order for kids: French toast or pancakes
This colorful cafe next to the historic Tower Theatre has a garden patio and a huge dessert case.
Parent Tip: It's a short drive from Land Park, so make it your breakfast before the zoo.
Address: 2801 Franklin Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95818
What to order for kids: A scoop of handmade ice cream or a sundae
This old-fashioned ice cream parlor has been making ice cream in Sacramento for generations, and its neon sign is a local landmark.
Parent Tip: Stop here after a day in Land Park, which is just a few minutes away.
Address: 577 Main Street
Placerville, CA 95667
What to order for kids: Pancakes or a cinnamon roll
This cozy breakfast spot in a historic house on Main Street is known for big breakfasts and homemade pies.
Parent Tip: Weekend mornings get busy, so arrive early.
Address: 13460 Lincoln Way
Auburn, CA 95603
What to order for kids: Pancakes or a breakfast sandwich
This Old Town Auburn favorite has hearty breakfasts and lunches and a patio with views of the hills.
Parent Tip: Put your name in early on weekends, then wander Old Town while you wait.
Address: 100 South Auburn Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
What to order for kids: A beef pasty or a sweet fruit pasty
This little shop bakes Cornish pasties, the hand pies that miners carried down into Grass Valley's gold mines.
Parent Tip: Take your pasties to go for a picnic at Empire Mine.
Address: 420 Main Street
Murphys, CA 95247
What to order for kids: A wood-fired pizza
This casual spot on Main Street serves wood-fired pizzas, burgers and tacos in a relaxed space.
Parent Tip: It's a great dinner stop after Mercer Caverns.
Address: 22726 Main Street
Columbia, CA 95310
What to order for kids: Old-fashioned candy sticks or fudge
This historic candy shop in Columbia State Historic Park makes old-fashioned candy, and kids can sometimes watch the candy makers at work.
Parent Tip: Let each kid pick one treat, since the choices are endless.
A Sample Sacramento and Gold Country Weekend Itinerary for Families
Here's how we'd spend a first long weekend in Sacramento and Gold Country with kids, plus an extra day if you can swing it.
Day 1 (Old Sacramento): The California State Railroad Museum in the morning, lunch on Front Street, an Underground Tour and a sunset walk across Tower Bridge.
Day 2 (Land Park and downtown): The Sacramento Zoo, Fairytale Town and Funderland, then Sutter's Fort and a scoop at Gunther's Ice Cream.
Day 3 (Coloma and Placerville): Gold panning at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, a mine walk at Gold Bug Park and pie at Apple Hill.
With more time: Drive Highway 49 south to Columbia, Railtown 1897, Mercer Caverns and Calaveras Big Trees, or north to Empire Mine and Nevada City.
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Takeaway
Sacramento and Gold Country with kids is a road trip packed with real history, from steam trains and riverboats to gold panning, mine tours and giant sequoias. Spend a couple of days in Sacramento, then follow Highway 49 into the foothills.
Check winter hours before you go, book the Polar Express and Underground Tours early, and leave room in the car for Apple Hill pies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sacramento good for kids?
Yes. Sacramento is great for kids, with the California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento, Sutter's Fort, the Sacramento Zoo, Fairytale Town, Funderland and a hands-on science museum. Gold Country is an easy drive away, with gold panning in Coloma, mine tours, caverns and historic train rides.
How many days do you need in Sacramento and Gold Country with kids?
Plan four to five days for a first family visit. Spend two days in Sacramento for Old Sacramento, the Railroad Museum and Land Park, then add two or three days for Coloma, Placerville and a Highway 49 drive to Columbia, Railtown 1897 or Grass Valley and Nevada City.
Where should families stay in Sacramento?
Downtown and Old Sacramento are the easiest bases, with hotels like the Embassy Suites Riverfront Promenade, the Hyatt Regency and the Delta King riverboat close to museums and restaurants. For a Gold Country night, try a historic hotel in Placerville, Grass Valley, Sutter Creek or Murphys.
Where can kids pan for gold in Gold Country?
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma offers gold panning lessons on most days, right where the Gold Rush began in 1848. Columbia State Historic Park also has gold panning on its own schedule. Lessons can change with weather and school groups, so check the website before you go.
Is the Sacramento Zoo moving to Elk Grove?
No. Plans to move the Sacramento Zoo to Elk Grove ended in 2025, and the zoo is still open in William Land Park. The city has been working with the zoo on plans to expand at its Land Park home, so check the website for the latest news and hours.
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