The capital of California, Sacramento is often overlooked in favor of some more famous towns in the state. However, if you’re looking for amazing museums, a rich culture, historical buildings, and a city that’s constantly changing, then Sacramento makes the perfect destination.
Despite its small-town feel, Sacramento is surprisingly alternative and inclusive. It has a thriving LGBTQ community and is known as America’s Most Diverse City. It also has landmarks dating back to the Gold Rush!
It’s not a large city, but figuring out where to stay in Sacramento to best suit your needs can be tricky. To help you out, we’ve created this guide on the best places to stay in Sacramento for any travel style and budget.
Where to Stay in Sacramento
Need to make a quick decision about your Sacramento accommodation? Here are our top picks.
Modern 1 Bedroom | Best Luxury Airbnb in Sacramento
Located close to the Downtown area, this apartment is convenient and very reasonably priced. It offers a spacious kitchen, living areas, and bathroom as well as laundry facilities and a private backyard.
Inviting 2 Bedroom Home | Best Airbnb in Sacramento
This home is a good choice when you’re trying to decide where to stay in Sacramento for families. It sleeps up to four people and has a fully stocked kitchen, laundry facilities, and a private backyard. It’s also within walking distance of a local park and the Downtown district.
Hampton Inn & Suites | Best Hotel in Sacramento
This is one of the best hotels in Sacramento if you want to be close to everything. It’s just minutes from the Downtown district and offers comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, coffee machines, and a microwave. The hotel also offers a continental breakfast every morning, a fitness room, and boasts a heated outdoor pool.
Sacramento Neighborhood Guide – Places to Stay in Sacramento
Old Sacramento
For a first-timer, Old Sacramento is the best neighborhood to stay in Sacramento. This beautiful historic district is technically part of the Downtown area, so it offers great access to shops and restaurants. However, it also has an intoxicating historical atmosphere and lots of great attractions.
Midtown
Sacramento’s Midtown district is east of the Downtown area, so it’s fairly central but offers a quieter atmosphere and a more local vibe. That’s why it’s the best choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Sacramento on a budget.
East Sacramento
East Sacramento is the best area in Sacramento to stay in if you’re looking for a quiet, more local feel. This small neighborhood is close to the city center, but it’s smaller and less crowded making it ideal for families with small children who need quiet nights to sleep.
Downtown
The Downtown district is easily one of the coolest places to stay in Sacramento. This part of the city has everything. It’s where you’ll find the city’s best shops and restaurants as well as lots of entertainment options. It’s also within walking distance of all the history and atmosphere of Old Sacramento.
Sacramento is a relatively small city, but it still has distinct districts with their own unique atmospheres. While it’s easy to travel around the city, you’ll be better off staying in an area that suits your needs.
If it’s your first time in this area of California, then we recommend staying in Old Sacramento. This is the historic district of the city and it’s filled with cobbled streets, museums, restaurants, and shops. With so much to do, it’s perfect for discovering what Sacramento has to offer.
If you’re visiting California on a budget and want to take advantage of cheaper prices, then look for accommodation in Midtown. This residential area offers a quieter atmosphere along with local attractions.
East Sacramento is the best choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Sacramento for families. There are lots of local restaurants in this area as well as parks that will keep the kids happy for hours!
The final area to look at is Sacramento’s Downtown. This is where you’ll find the greatest concentration of shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs. If you’re trying to find where to stay in Sacramento for nightlife, this is a perfect choice.
Sacramento’s 4 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
Now, let’s take a look at each of these areas in more detail. We’ve included our top accommodation and activity picks in each, so you know exactly what to expect.
1. Old Sacramento – Where to Stay in Sacramento for your First Visit
COOLEST Thing to Do in Old Sacramento – Take a walking tour through Old Sacramento to get a real feel for the best spots.
BEST Place to Visit in Old Sacramento – River Walk Park for amazing views of Old Sacramento.
For a first-timer, Old Sacramento is the best neighborhood to base yourself in. This beautiful historic district is technically part of the Downtown area, so it offers great access to shops and restaurants. However, it also has an intoxicating historical atmosphere and lots of great attractions.
When you wander along the cobbled streets of Old Sacramento, you’ll get a real feel for the past of the city. This is where you’ll find the Old Waterfront, protected as a State Historic Park and National Historic Landmark District, and lots of preserved buildings.
Delta King Hotel | Best Hotel in Old Sacramento
This hotel in Sacramento is as unique as the town itself. The rooms are luxuriously appointed and close to attractions like the Crocker Art Museum. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, delicious breakfast, and a bar and restaurant on-site.
One of a Kind Historic Loft Suite | Best Airbnb in Old Sacramento
This accommodation is conveniently located just a few minutes from the old district in the Old Union Hotel. It offers a private bathroom and enough space for one guest as well as a historic flair that’s hard to pass up!
Old Sacramento Historic Loft Suite | Best Luxury Airbnb in Old Sacramento
If you’d like a touch of luxury close to the old district, this is where you should stay. The building is an old hotel turned into a boutique hotel, and it offers complete privacy, rooms with kitchenettes, and an 18 hole mini-golf course in the basement!
Things to See and Do in Old Sacramento:
- Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the area.
- Check out the Big Four Building, one of the most iconic in the city.
- Spend some time learning about the city’s past at the California State Railroad Museum.
- See how the city grew at the Sacramento History Museum.
- Have a meal at Joe’s Crab Shack, Foundation Restaurant and Bar, or the Yard House.
- Marvel at the antique cars at the California Automobile Museum.
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COOLEST Thing to Do in Midtown – Learn about pioneer life at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park.
BEST Place to Visit in Midtown – The Kennedy Gallery for three floors of amazing works of art.
Sacramento’s Midtown district is east of the Downtown area, so it’s fairly central but offers a quieter atmosphere and a more local vibe. That’s why it’s the best choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Sacramento on a budget. You’ll find a range of cheaper accommodation options in this part of the city as well as restaurants and shops with local prices. Midtown is a great base for all of your Sacramento day trips.
Midtown has taken on a bohemian vibe of late and it’s become famous for its art scene. You’ll find lots of art galleries showcasing a wide variety of artwork styles as well as some of the trendiest restaurants in Midtown. You definitely won’t go hungry for food or for culture!
Fresh and Charming Mother in Law Apartment | Best Luxury Airbnb in Midtown
Located in one of the best areas to stay in Sacramento if you want convenience and a quiet atmosphere, this apartment offers cozy accommodation for two travelers. It’s located in a beautiful historic home and neighborhood, with dozens of restaurants close by, and offers all the modern facilities you could want for your stay.
Inn Off Capitol Park | Best Hotel in Midtown
This hotel is a great choice when you’re trying to decide where to stay in Sacramento on a budget. It’s just over the road from the Capitol building and offers rooms with sitting areas, work desks, and all the usual amenities. There’s also a fitness center and a business center on-site for those working travelers.
East Side Apartment | Best Airbnb in Midtown
If you’re on a tighter budget, then you’ll love this Sacramento accommodation. It’s within walking distance of local restaurants, clubs, and cafes. It offers a fully stocked kitchen and enough room for up to three guests for a great price.
Things to See and Do in Midtown:
- Head down to K Street and 20th for LGBTQ friendly clubs and bars.
- Delight your tastebuds at Ryujin Ramen House, Tres Hermanas, or Mendocino Farms.
- Eat something sweet at Rick’s Dessert Diner.
- Relax with a craft brew at SacYard Community Tap House or the Capital Hop Shop.
- Go walking, skating, or biking at Sutter’s Landing Regional Park.
- In summer, take the kids to enjoy the water park at Raging Waters Sacramento.
3. East Sacramento – Best Neighborhood in Sacramento for Families
COOLEST Thing to Do in East Sacramento –Visit McKinley Park for food trucks and concerts as well as a great food scene.
BEST Place to Visit in East Sacramento – Gunther’s Ice Cream, a landmark store for sweet treats.
East Sacramento is the best area in Sacramento to stay in if you’re looking for a quiet, more local feel. This small neighborhood is close to the city center, but it’s smaller and less crowded making it ideal for families with small children who need quiet nights to sleep.
East Sacramento also has some great local restaurants, so you definitely won’t go hungry while you stay there, as well as great local parks and boutique stores. If you enjoy getting to know a more local part of the cities that you travel to, you’ll love the independent shops, cafes, and restaurants in this area as well.
Beautiful Home in the heart of East Sacramento | Best Airbnb in East Sacramento
Suitable for four guests, this home is a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Sacramento with kids. It has a bathtub, a fully equipped kitchen, and free parking on the premises and is a short drive from all of the city’s best attractions.
Tapestry by Hilton | Best Hotel in East Sacramento
Comfortable and convenient, this hotel is a great choice whether you’re trying to decide where to stay in Sacramento for one night or for a longer visit. The hotel has a fitness center, bar, restaurant, and concierge service as well as a 24-hour front desk. Rooms are spacious and have a coffee machine and work area.
Modern and Clean Guesthouse | Best Luxury Airbnb in East Sacramento
This bright and modern apartment sits in a secluded and very walkable neighborhood in the heart of East Sacramento. It has a fully equipped kitchen, is close to local parks and restaurants, and is only 10 minutes drive from the Downtown area.
Things to See and Do in East Sacramento:
- Have a pizza at OneSpeed or some Italian delights at La Trattoria Bohemia.
- Drink with the locals at Socal’s Tavern or Bonn Lair.
- Try some delicious donuts or specialty cream puffs at The Parlor Ice Cream Puffs.
- Head down to play a round at William Land Golf Course or Bing Maloney Golf Course.
- Take the kids to enjoy the rides at Funderland Amusement Park.
- Enjoy the storybook themes of Fairytale Town with the kids.
- Let the kids play freely at the Sacramento Adventure Playground.
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COOLEST Thing to Do in Downtown – Spend a few hours in the California State Capitol Park for manicured gardens and a museum.
BEST Place to Visit in Downtown – WAL Public Market for unique and independent stores and shopping.
The Downtown district is easily one of the coolest places to stay in Sacramento. It’s where you’ll find the city’s best shops and restaurants as well as lots of entertainment options. It’s also within walking distance of all the history and atmosphere of Old Sacramento. You’ll never run out of things to do here!
If you’re looking for some lively nightlife while you’re in the city, this is where you’ll find it as there are lots of pubs and clubs in Downtown. It also has great transport links to other parts of Sacramento, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting around to explore!
Modern, Bright Studio with Private Yard | Best Luxury Airbnb in Downtown
This apartment offers the perfect combination of privacy and outdoor space. It has modern furnishings and fixings as well as laundry facilities, a full kitchen, free street parking, and a patio where you can take in the city at your leisure. It’s also right in the center of Downtown and surrounded by shops and restaurants!
The Cathedral Building | Best Airbnb in Downtown
This one-bedroom loft is perfect for couples or solo travelers. The Cathedral Building is right in the heart of Downtown, so you’ll be surrounded by all the best that the city has to offer. During your stay, you’ll enjoy free parking, a full kitchen, a dedicated workspace, and elegant surroundings with all the comforts of home.
Best Western Plus Sutton House | Best Hotel in Downtown
Located right in the heart of Downtown, this motel in Sacramento is reasonably priced and comfortable. It’s within walking distance of several attractions and has a restaurant and bar on-site as well as a delicious breakfast so you can start your days off well.
Things to See and Do in Downtown:
- Check out the period architecture and furniture at the Leland Stanford Mansion.
- Get destructive at Smash Sacramento.
- Experience the city’s creative heart at the Crocker Art Museum.
- Have a meal at TableVine, the Thai Lotus, or The Melting Pot.
- Get up close and creepy with the past at the Old City Cemetery or take a tour to meet its more famous residents.
- Go shopping in Downtown Commons shopping center for great shops and an entertainment complex.
- Head down to 10th street north of Capitol Park for the city’s best clubs and bars.
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Hide Yo’ Money!FAQs About Finding a Place to Stay in Sacramento
Here’s what people usually ask me about the areas of Sacramento and where to stay.
What To Pack For Sacramento
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
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Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
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Check out my definitive Hotel Packing list for even more top packing tips!
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Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Sacramento
Whether you’re trying to decide where to stay in Sacramento with kids or are traveling on your own or with friends, there are lots of great choices. Sacramento is a vibrant city, one that no doubt will become more popular among travel lovers as it continues to expand and flourish!
If you;re still not sure where to stay in Sacramento, we recommend Midtown. It’s close to everything while offering cheaper accommodation – so you can stretch your budget even further.
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And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
