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Sacramento History Museum Underground Tours

4.5 (26)

Unearth Sacramento's past on a guided tour through the hidden underground spaces beneath Old Sacramento, revealing the city's remarkable engineering feat.

Descend beneath Old Sacramento's streets and explore the hidden remnants of a city raised to escape devastating floods in the 1860s and 1870s. Led by costumed guides, the Underground Tours offer a unique glimpse into the engineering feat that reshaped California's capital, revealing hollow sidewalks, sloped alleyways, and the spaces that were once the city's ground floor.

A brief summary to Underground Tours

  • 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

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes as the underground terrain is uneven.
  • Arrive 10-15 minutes early to check in at the front desk of the Sacramento History Museum.
  • Tours run rain or shine, so dress appropriately for the weather.
  • Photography and recording are not allowed in the underground spaces.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Sacramento History Museum is located in Old Sacramento, which is easily walkable. From the Old Sacramento Waterfront, proceed towards I Street. The museum is located at 101 I Street, near the Old Sacramento Garage. Walking from the Sacramento Amtrak station takes approximately 5-10 minutes. As you exit the train station, walk towards the large, green Interstate Highway bridge. A striped walkway leads from the passenger platforms, west under the highway bridge, through a parking lot, to Old Sacramento.

  • Public Transport

    Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) offers light rail and bus routes to Old Sacramento. Several bus routes serve the area. Check the SacRT website for the most up-to-date schedules and routes. A single adult fare is $2.50.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available throughout Sacramento. A short ride from downtown Sacramento to the Sacramento History Museum in Old Sacramento typically costs between $10 and $20, depending on traffic and demand.

  • Parking

    Metered street parking is available throughout Old Sacramento. However, spaces are limited, especially during peak tourist season. The Old Sacramento Garage, located on I Street between 2nd and 3rd, is the closest parking garage to the Sacramento History Museum. Weekend pre-pay rates may be available. Nearby parking garages can range from $6.75 to $26.44. MOSAC also has parking for $6 a day.

Discover more about Underground Tours

The Sacramento History Museum's Underground Tours provide a fascinating journey into the past, revealing the innovative solutions employed by early Sacramentans to combat the recurrent flooding that plagued their city. During the 1860s and 1870s, in response to devastating floods, the city embarked on an ambitious project to raise the streets and buildings, some by as much as 15 feet. This undertaking left behind a network of underground spaces, remnants of the original city level, which can now be explored through guided tours. The tours, which depart from the Sacramento History Museum, are led by knowledgeable guides who bring the history to life with colorful stories and historical context. As you descend into the underground, you'll encounter hollow sidewalks, sloped alleyways, and the preserved foundations of buildings from the mid-19th century. These spaces once housed businesses, living quarters, and even less savory establishments like saloons and gambling halls. The tour guides explain the engineering marvel of jacking up entire buildings and raising the street level, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of this massive undertaking. The tours also shed light on the social and cultural aspects of life in early Sacramento, including the diverse population, the impact of the Gold Rush, and the challenges of adapting to a rapidly changing environment. Photography and recording are not allowed in the underground spaces. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are recommended due to the uneven terrain.

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