• B. F. Hastings Bank Building - Serving as the western endpoint for the Pony Express, this historic building also accommodated California’s Supreme Court, Wells Fargo, and telegraph offices. Its walls resonate with the history of 19th-century communication, commerce, and governance.
• Big Four Building - This is where the influential Big Four railroad magnates orchestrated the Central Pacific Railroad, solidifying California’s link to the East. The building embodies commerce, ambition, and railroad history within its storied walls.
• California State Railroad Museum - As one of the leading railroad museums in the United States, the California State Railroad Museum showcases restored locomotives, vintage cars, and interactive exhibits that highlight the 19th-century rail expansion. It is a cornerstone of Old Sacramento’s identity as a transportation hub.
• Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot - Once a bustling center for freight along the Sacramento River, the depot’s original wooden structure was integral to the railroad’s operations. Today, it offers insight into the logistics of the transcontinental rail system.
• Delta King Hotel - Now transformed into a floating hotel and restaurant, this 1927 paddlewheel steamboat harks back to an era when river travel connected cities and economies. Moored on the Sacramento River, it provides both scenic views and a historical experience.
• The Eagle Theatre - The original Eagle Theatre was California’s first permanent theater, opening in 1849. Although rebuilt over time, the site represents the early cultural aspirations of frontier Sacramento.
• Lady Adams Building (California Historical Landmark No. 603) - Constructed in 1852 from materials transported around Cape Horn, this building was among the first import houses in Sacramento. It remains a rare example of Gold Rush-era trade architecture.
• Pony Express Statue - This bronze monument pays tribute to the brave riders who covered thousands of miles across frontier America. It stands near the Hastings Building as a visual reminder of the messages once carried across the continent.
• Sacramento History Museum - Located in the reconstructed 1854 City Hall and Waterworks building, this museum documents Sacramento’s civic, technological, and cultural development. Its exhibits narrate the transformation of a frontier town into a modern capital.
• What Cheer House - Built in 1853, this building initially housed state offices and later served as a hotel, warehouse, and entertainment venue. Its name reflects pioneer optimism—“What cheer, partner?”—and its varied uses mirror Sacramento’s adaptive nature.
• Tower Bridge - This impressive vertical lift bridge spans the Sacramento River, adorned in gleaming gold paint. It connects Old Sacramento to West Sacramento and has become a contemporary symbol of the city’s riverfront renewal.
• Theodore Judah Monument - This monument commemorates the visionary engineer who laid much of the foundational work for the transcontinental railroad. His legacy is deeply intertwined with Sacramento’s railroad history.
• Transcontinental Railroad Mile Marker 0 - This marker signifies the western starting point of the First Transcontinental Railroad. It stands as a compact emblem of Sacramento’s national importance in rail history.
• Central Pacific Railroad Passenger Station - The original passenger station in Sacramento witnessed the departure of emigrants, dignitaries, and goods heading east. Today’s station continues that tradition at a site with a rich history of transit activity.
• Pioneer Park - This quaint plaza preserves the original street layout and scale of early Sacramento, offering visitors a glimpse of the city’s past before the advent of trains and traffic.

• Flexible Usage (unlimited access)
• Audio Guide
• App and Tour Download

• Smartphone (bring your own)

Explore the Gold Rush era of California with a self-guided walking tour in Old Sacramento, featuring well-preserved nineteenth-century storefronts and delightful wooden boardwalks.

This captivating journey is enriched by dynamic audio narration that recounts stories of fortune hunters, catastrophic floods, and the engineering marvels that shaped Sacramento.

Discover how this riverside town became the western endpoint of the Pony Express and the launch site for the Transcontinental Railroad, key events in the history of the American West.

— Dive into the fascinating history of Old Sacramento’s Gold Rush era
— Delight in an engaging audio narration that leads you through important landmarks
— Explore at your leisure and uncover hidden treasures along the route
— Ideal for history buffs and inquisitive travelers seeking a distinctive experience

• Works entirely offline once downloaded—no cell service required
• GPS-triggered audio plays automatically based on your location
• Flexible - Buy once, use any day/time—access never expires
• Get the Drives & Detours app download the tour ahead of time

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.