Explore the Six Districts of Downtown Sacramento

Capitol Mall is one of the premier business addresses in Sacramento with sweeping views of the river and State Capitol. With a total of 29 Class A office buildings totaling more than 9 million square feet, Downtown Sacramento represents more than one-third of the Class A space in the entire Sacramento region. The Capitol Mall district encompasses L Street, Capitol Mall and N Street between 7th to 2nd streets. Capitol Mall isn’t all business. The Greens on Capitol Mall are a popular venue for the region’s festivals, races and concerts.

The Civic Center represents the seat of City, County, State, and Federal government. The 19-block district includes the stretch of J, I and H streets between 13th Street to Interstate 5. The Civic Center is distinguished by the historic architecture of landmarks such as Elks Tower, Historic City Hall, and former U.S. Post Office. It is also a major entry point into Downtown with Amtrak’s Sacramento Valley Station, access to major freeways and the gateway to The Railyards.

By day, The Kay buzzes with activity from the mix of mid-rise and high-rise office buildings. After dark, The Kay draws its energy from a diverse mix of hotels, restaurants, nightlife and entertainment venues. The Kay District is eclectic and a study of contrast. Visitors can dine in a sleek modern restaurant with historic landmarks in the background, spend the night in a hotel which once was a public market, or catch a live show in one of Sacramento’s historic vaudeville houses. The Kay District encompasses L Street to J Street between 13th and 7th Street.

The Entertainment District is at the heart of Sacramento’s urban revitalization. As the future site of the Golden 1 Center, up to 1.5 million square feet of additional development including 475,000 square feet of office, 350,000 square feet of retail, a 250-room hotel, and 550 residential units are projected to be built by Fall 2016. Downtown Commons (DOCO), Macy’s, Holiday Inn, and several historic high-rise properties are also located within this exciting district.

From Broadway shows to live blues, the Theater District is where Sacramento comes together. The Sacramento Convention Center, historic Memorial Auditorium, and the Community Center Theater anchor this 8-block district. A popular spot for locals and visitors, this area is known for its dynamic mix of nightlife venues, restaurants, and countless cultural and convention events. The Theater district connects Downtown with the nearby Central City neighborhoods and encompasses L Street through I Street between 16th and 13th streets.

Old Sacramento Waterfront is the city’s largest visitor destination, attracting more than 3.3 million visitors annually. The 6-block historic waterfront district is home to Sacramento’s top museums including the California History Museum and California State Railroad Museum. Its distinctive architecture, cobblestone streets and boardwalk bring Sacramento’s gold rush era to life. Visitors can walk Sacramento’s original street level, which was raised in 1861 to protect against flooding. As Sacramento’s original business district, Old Sacramento Waterfront boasts the highest density of locally owned retail shops, restaurants, and bars in Downtown Sacramento. Sacramento’s signature events including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Theatre of Lights and the New Year’s Eve Sky Spectacular are hosted at the Old Sacramento Waterfront. This district encompasses I to N Streets between the river and Interstate 5.