Downtown Walking Tours
These unique tours through downtown Sacramento introduce visitors to the people, places and events that shaped California history. From John Sutter to Cesar Chavez, these tours cover more than 150 years of state and local history. Topics range from art and architecture to cultural, religious and urban history. Call 442-8575, email dsp@downtownsac.org to make a reservation, or simply show up at any tour's starting point at the specified time. All tours are guided and last approximately one hour.
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Reflection of original City |
Indo Arch by Gerald Walburg at 4th & K |
Gladding McBean terra cotta tiles at Central City Library |
Crest Theatre Neon Marquee on K Street |
Menu of Tours
FEATURED TOURS:
Locally grown, internationally known | The history of Sacramento’s music scene
This tour highlights Sacramento’s contributions to the contemporary popular music scene, beginning with the region’s first FM radio station and ending with some very famous footprints… Along the way, discover Downtown’s historical connection to The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, Gloria Gaynor and even Blondie. You’ll revisit local venues downtown that launched the careers of Sacramento’s most beloved rock stars like Tesla, The Deftones and Cake. Tour ends at Cesar Chavez Plaza just in time for Friday Night Concerts in the Park. Our very own music buff Michael Beckelhimer lead this tour.
Fridays: 4 pm
STARTING POINT: Cesar Chavez Plaza at 9th & J streets
COST: $10.00 per person
Old Sacramento Speakeasy Tour | A little bit of history, a whole lot of fun!
Join DSP tour guide and history buffs Mike Munson/Shawn Peter for a special guided tour through Old Sacramento's underground watering holes. The tour begins at the River City Saloon, one of Oldtown's newest bars decorated in 'prohibition-era' style. Munson will then guide you to four additional spots, including famed Delta King riverboat, which at the time served as a 'floating' hotspot for illegal drinking, jazz bands, gambling and fine dining. Along the way, learn fascinating tidbits about the people and events that shaped the city's early history as one of the 'wettest cities in the union' during this pivotal era in American history. Enjoy prohibition-era and mardi-gras themed cocktails, available for purchase, at each participating tour stop.
Next Tour Date - Saturday, September 18 at 6 pm
STARTING POINT: River City Saloon, 916 2nd Street in Old Sacramento
COST: $10.00 per person, drinks not included
REGULARLY SCHEDULED TOURS:
Tales of the Central City | An overview of early Sacramento history
Walk with us down memory lane on a guided tour of one of the oldest cities in California. Learn how Sacramento wrangled the distinction of California’s State Capitol, walk the original route of the famed Pony Express, see the influence of railroad’s ‘Big Four’ on early urban planning and learn why downtown sidewalks are hollow. Our Gold Rush era specialist, Mike Munson leads this tour.
Sundays: 11 am
Mondays: 10 am
Fridays: 11 am
STARTING POINT: Cesar Chavez Plaza at 9th & J streets
COST: $10.00 per person
Structural Stories | Local examples of historical architecture styles
Stroll through the ages of architectural history right here in downtown Sacramento. From our Renaissance-style Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and the graceful Art Deco shapes of Crest Theatre to Chicago style architecture here in California, we will show you local examples of the world’s finest styles. Shawn Peter leads this tour.
Tuesdays: 10 am
Wednesdays: 11 am
Thursdays: 3 pm
STARTING POINT: Cesar Chavez Plaza at 9th & J streets
COST: $10.00 per person
Art is All Around Us | A tour of Sacramento’s collection of art in public places
Tour Sacramento’s impressive collection of permanently sited works of art integrated into Sacramento’s built and natural environments. See local works by notable local and regional artists. This tour was developed in partnership with Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places program. Richard MacGill leads this tour.
Tuesdays: 3 pm
Wednesdays: 10 am
Thursdays: 11 am
STARTING POINT: Indo Arch outside of Downtown Plaza at 3rd & K streets
COST: $10.00 per person
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow | K Street commerce, growth and redevelopment
Beginning in Old Sacramento at Front and K streets, this tour will trace Sacramento’s commercial growth by traveling on foot toward 13th & K. On this walk, see Sacramento’s first commercial district, learn about K Street’s early history as a vaudeville and entertainment hotspot and be the first to hear future plans for Sacramento’s most talked-about pedestrian mall. Shawn Peter or Mike Munson will lead this tour.
Sundays: 3 pm
Tuesdays: 2 pm
Wednesdays: 1 pm
Thursdays: 10 am
Fridays: 2 pm
STARTING POINT: Delta King docks at Front & K streets
COST: $10.00 per person
The Art of Terra Cotta | An architecture tour featuring local clay artisans Gladding McBean
This tour will discuss the history of terra cotta as an architectural art form and will highlight downtown's best examples of this turn-of-the-century technique. This tour emphasizes the contribution of the Gladding McBean studio, one of the region’s best cultural and artistic assets, which has provided terra cotta tiles, pipes and sculpture for customers worldwide. Based in Lincoln, California, this studio has been in continual operation since 1874, with many downtown buildings showcasing the studio’s early works. This tour will highlight these structures as well as discuss the evolution of this notable clay studio, the process of working with this unique type of clay and the studio’s legacy on the art of terra cotta. Mike Munson leads this tour.
Sundays: 1 pm
Mondays: 2 pm
Wednesdays: 2 pm
STARTING POINT: Cesar Chavez Plaza at 9th & J streets
COST: $10.00 per person
Kids Meet the City | A tour of California history especially for kids
This tour is specially designed to serve as a fun and interactive way to introduce local history to students of all ages. This unique walk through downtown will explore the Gold Rush, the history and route of the famed Pony Express, John Sutter’s place in California history, and the Big Four of the railroad industry as well as offer an introduction to city government with a visit into City Council Chambers.
Make the most out of your tour with DSP's new Kids Meet The City: Activity Book.
Download your free guide here!
Fridays: 10 am
STARTING POINT: Steps of Historic City Hall, 915 'I' Street
COST: $10.00 per adult and one child under 13 years old, $5.00 for each additional child. School groups welcome! Call 442-8575 for group rates.
Common Ground | The history of Sacramento’s diverse ethnic groups
This tour is still in the works and we welcome your old photos and stories as we research this culturally relevant subject. Email photos, historical accounts, or old advertisements to jbeckner@downtownsac.org.
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Meet our guides!
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Shawn Peter |
Mike Munson |
Rich MacGill |
| Shawn Peter has been with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership since 2000 and is DSP's original tour guide. He has been a part of the Downtown Walking Tour Program since its beginning and is credited as author of our original Early California history tour. Shawn's interest in history spans from Gold Rush-era knowledge and historical architecture styles to more contemporary subjects like Sacramento's connection to legendary rock bands like the Grateful Dead and Nirvana. Peter spends his free time researching new historical topics and touring with his band, A Single Second. | Mike Munson joined the DSP in 2005 and has quickly become one of the program's leading historians on state and local government, the Pony Express, the region's native inhabitants as well as its early settlers. Munson's passion for history spans the decades and stems from his childhood memories growing up in downtown Sacramento. He can often be found between the stacks of history books at the Central City Library's Sacramento Room or studying historical photographs at Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center. | Rich MacGill is DSP's newest guide. Recently retired from the City of Folsom Parks and Recreation Department, MacGill joined the DSP because he enjoys working with the public. Currently stationed as a Community Service Guide in Old Sacramento, MacGIll has joined the Downtown Walking Tour program as our Public Art Tour Guide in partnership with the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. |