Sacramento is the capital of California in the United States. Yes, Sacramento, not San Francisco or Los Angeles, as many people for some reason assume. This small city in the western United States has served as the permanent capital of the state since 1854. Only for a few months, due to flooding in 1962, was the capital moved to San Francisco.
We will tell you about some of the sights of this town..
Let's start, perhaps, with the California State Capitol—the statehouse where the state government operates. It was here that the legendary "Terminator" Arnold Schwarzenegger served as governor. He was elected to two terms, from 2003 to 2011. According to the California state constitution, he was ineligible for a third term.
Admission to the Capitol is free, and fascinating tours are offered hourly, also free. Photography is permitted inside the building. Inside, near the governor's office, there is a bear sculpture. Incidentally, the bear is the state symbol of California. The halls are filled with various works of art, portraits, and antiques. The surrounding grounds are lush and beautiful.
Another interesting fact: A cat lived in the California Capitol for 13 years, and Governor Gray Davis' wife, Sharon Davis, later wrote a children's book about it, "The Adventures of Capitol Kitty."
Another must-see for tourists is Old Sacramento, a historic landmark in Sacramento. There, you'll be transported back in time to the Gold Rush era and feel like the hero of an American Western. The buildings on the main street of the old town are stylized in the 19th-century California style. They house museums, various shops, and bars. Part of the old train station and the first wooden schoolhouse have been preserved here.
The California Railroad Museum is also located here. It's a delight for both adults and children. The number of restored exhibits is impressive. The installations are captivating in their realism. Attention is paid to everything, even the smallest details, such as the clothing of the workers, engineers, and drivers, where they lived during the railroad's construction, and so on. You can even enter some of the train cars, and the interiors are simply magnificent. Particularly noteworthy is Southern Pacific Railroad locomotive No. 4294, built in 1944. It stands 5 meters tall! Also sure to impress are the mail car, dining car, and sleeping car, which create a realistic motion effect. The second floor will appeal to model makers, and the third is home to an exhibition of collectible steam locomotive models.
Another landmark connects the historic part of the city with the business center: the electric retractable "Tower Bridge." This bridge's distinctive feature is its vertical lift and striking gold color. The view from the pedestrian area is breathtaking.
The Sacramento Zoo is no different from zoos in other US cities; it's not the largest or most exotic in the country. However, it's a popular destination for both locals and tourists. Visitors are particularly drawn to the red pandas and giraffes. The zoo's grounds are spacious and comfortable for the animals.
Arriving at Sacramento International Airport, you'll also find it interesting to stroll along the pedestrian walkway from the airport to the parking lot. The floor is carpeted with an aerial view of the Sacramento River. It clearly demonstrates how green the city is, with its many parks and squares for relaxation.
