Sacramento is full of rich history, beautiful natural escapes, fine dining, and entertainment. If you only have 48 hours in the California capital, you’ll want to make the most out of your itinerary.  Check out this Sacramento weekend schedule for 48 hours you won’t soon forget.

Friday

8am – Land or drive into Sacramento, CA. Being the capital of California, Sactown is super easy to travel to. Most major airlines have direct flights to Sacramento International Airport. 

12pm – Grab lunch at one of the many delicious Sacramento restaurants around the area. Some favorites to check out include:

• Juno’s Kitchen & Delicatessen – Juno’s specializes in delicious sandwiches, salads, and entrees and is led by Chef Mark Helms. The dog-friendly spot is laid-back and the perfect intro into this sunny California city. Try the Banh Mi, Smoked Trout, or Membrillo sandwiches for a treat. 
• Beast & Bounty – Beast & Bounty is like an Instagram dream come true. When you walk into the restaurant, you’ll be greeted by beautiful plants, handcrafted leather accents, and mid-century modern design. Oh, and the food is great too. Enjoy everything from salads to bowls to pizza and sandwiches. 
• Aji Dori Restaurant – Aji Dori is a beautiful Japanese restaurant located in Downtown Sacramento. On their lunch menu, they have a bowl, a lunch set that includes two pieces of a California roll, 2 pieces of gyoza, rice, and a choice of protein, and sushi and Hawaiian BBQ plates.  

2pm – Thanks to its flat areas and tree-shaded streets, Sacramento is one of the most bike-friendly cities in California. The city recently implemented the new JUMP dockless bike sharing service, which makes it easy for visitors to rent a bike or scooter to get around.  After you have your bike, take a leisurely ride over to the California Museum and The Crocker to get a taste of the rich history and art surrounding Sacramento. Afterward, take your bike over to Capitol Park, a Victorian-style park that has the state’s capitol building, memorials, ponds, cactus gardens, and more in its 40 acres. 

4pm – Check into your hotel. You have a long weekend ahead of you, so take advantage of this break and relax in your room, try your luck at the casino, or relax by the pool.

6pm – If there’s one thing that the people of Sactown love, it’s beer and you can find a lot of it during your weekend trip to the city. Start your beer hopping tour at New Helvetia, a “community brewery that celebrates Sacramento’s history and is investing in Sacramento’s future.” Fun fact: the name comes from the original name of the settlement that was founded in the area in 1839. Other must-see stops include Bike Dog, Der Biergarten, and Big Stump Brew Co.  in midtown Sac. 

9pm – There’s no shortage of nightlife in Sacramento and when you’re only here for a few days, you’ll want to make the most out of it. Shady Lady Saloon is one of the city’s most famous bars and features artisan cocktails, gourmet food, and live music ranging from blues and jazz to big band and country. Shows start at 9pm, so come by for a drink and some sexy, 1920s-inspired entertainment.

Saturday

10am – Start the day with the most important meal at one of the many delicious breakfast spots in Sacramento. Here are some of the local favorites:

• The Morning Fork – The Morning Fork is run by a husband and wife team and they serve up some serious breakfast. The retro diner-inspired digs include lots of different types of eggs benedict, delicious omelets, and sweet treats like waffles, pancakes, and upside-down cakes. 
• Bacon & Butter – Bacon & Butter’s self-proclaimed style is “very California farm-to-table.” This is reflected in their delicious breakfast staples and craft cuisines. Try their Grilled Cheese Eggs Benedict if you dare!
• Recess Cafe – Recess Cafe isn’t your average breakfast counter. Enjoy fresh, local picks with a morning cup o’ Joe. Regulars love their breakfast burritos, paninis, and salads. They put an extraordinary spin on classic breakfast and brunch favorites.

12pm – Although there’s a lot to do in Sacramento itself, there’s also a ton of little day trips you can take outside of the city. If you want to see more of the area, head to the Sacramento Valley Station and hop on the Capitol Corridor for a 15-minute train ride to Davis. There, you can check out the UC Davis campus, which houses the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Museum of Art. Downtown Davis also has a ton to do. 

5pm – After you get back from your day of exploring, treat yourself to a nice dinner. Morton’s The Steakhouse delivers the best steak anywhere in and outside of Sacramento, while The Kitchen and Firehouse serve up some delicious fine dining fare as well. Keep your eyes open for Council Oak Steaks and Seafood at Fire Mountain. With the grand opening of Hard Rock Sacramento quickly approaching, you’ll want to get a seat at this savory steakhouse when the doors are open to guests!

7pm – Sacramento takes their sports, even the minor league ones, seriously and watching a River Cats, Kings, or Republic FC game is a great night out. If you can, try to catch a game at Golden 1 Center, the city’s first solar-powered sports stadium. The stadium features an indoor-outdoor design and hosts the Kings and some major musical acts like Paul McCartney, Ariana Grande, and more. 

Sunday

8am – Unfortunately, it’s already time to catch your flight! Say goodbye to Sacramento (and promise to come back soon).

There’s so much to see in Sacramento that 48 hours just doesn’t do it justice, but this itinerary is a good start. Whether you’re an art buff, an explorer, or just want a little rest and relaxation, this sunny California gold mine has it all. Book your stay today to come see what we’re about!