Underground Tours, Northern California Travel Guide

4.5 (26)

Unearth Sacramento's past on a guided tour beneath the city streets, exploring the fascinating story of how the city was raised.

Explore Sacramento's hidden history beneath the city streets with the Underground Tours, departing from the Sacramento History Museum. Discover how the city was raised to combat flooding in the 1860s and 1870s, venturing through excavated foundations and enclosed pathways with colorful, character-driven guides.

A brief summary to Underground Tours

101 I St, Sacramento, Old Sacramento, California, 95814, US
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Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
Thursday 10 am-5 pm
Friday 10 am-5 pm
Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Sunday 10 am-5 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Underground Tours.

Arrive 10-15 minutes early to check in at the front desk of the Sacramento History Museum, as tours depart promptly.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes to navigate the uneven surfaces of the underground spaces.
Tours operate rain or shine, so dress appropriately for the weather outside.
Consider taking the Old Sac After Hours Tour for an evening experience exploring saloons and other twilight venues (18+ only).

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Explore Underground Tours on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Underground Tours, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

From the Old Sacramento Waterfront, walk east towards 2nd Street. Head south on 2nd Street until you reach I Street. The Sacramento History Museum will be on your left at 101 I Street. The entrance to the Underground Tours is inside the museum.
Public Transport

Take Sacramento Regional Transit bus routes 11, 30, 31, 62, 86, or 88 and stop on 3rd Street between I and L Streets, which is one block from Old Sacramento Waterfront. From the bus stop, walk west on I Street to reach the Sacramento History Museum at 101 I Street. Single ride fare is $2.50.
Taxi/Ride-Share

From Sacramento International Airport (SMF), a taxi or ride-share to the Sacramento History Museum in Old Sacramento takes approximately 14 minutes and costs between $40-$50. A taxi from downtown Sacramento to the museum is approximately $12.
Parking

Metered street parking is available throughout Old Sacramento. The Old Sacramento Garage, located on I Street between 3rd and 2nd, offers covered parking. Parking rates at the Old Sacramento Garage are $1.50 per 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a maximum of $13. Evening rates (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) are a maximum of $7. The 24-hour rate is $20. Early bird rates (enter by 10 a.m., out after 4 p.m.) are $6.

Discover more about Underground Tours

The Sacramento History Museum's Underground Tours offer a unique glimpse into the city's past, revealing the innovative engineering feat that lifted Sacramento out of the floodwaters in the 19th century. These guided walking tours, lasting approximately one hour, take visitors beneath the surface to explore the spaces created when the city was raised.Tour guides, often in character, lead participants through hollow sidewalks and sloped alleyways, sharing stories of the city's transformation and the challenges faced by its early inhabitants. The tours depart from the Sacramento History Museum, located in the heart of Old Sacramento. The experience provides a fascinating perspective on Sacramento's resilience and ingenuity.The tours operate seven days a week, rain or shine, with tours running throughout the day. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are recommended due to the uneven terrain. Photography and recording are not allowed in the underground spaces.