California State Capitol and Museum

The California State Capitol in Sacramento attracts visitors who are interested in government, art, and California heritage. There is no admission fee, and public tours are held on the hour every day. A scavenger hunt tour also passes by the capitol building.

The building itself is notable for a number of artistic details, such as the stained-glass state seal in the ceiling of the hallway leading from the rotunda, mosaics of the golden poppy, and tiles that depict California’s motto, “Eureka.” The museum is home to permanent and on-loan collections of art, as well as temporary exhibits like “The Road Ahead: The Automobile’s Impact on California.” Outside in Capitol Park, visitors can see monuments and memorials dedicated to California firefighters and veterans of the Vietnam War, Spanish-American War, and other historical events.

• To enter, you must pass through security control, including a metal detector, X-ray of belongings, and presentation of identification.

• Entrances from L Street and N Street have wheelchair ramps.

• There is a tour office in the basement of the building, where wheelchairs can be checked out for use.

• A gift shop is located in the basement.

• Food and drinks can be purchased on weekdays only at a cafeteria-style restaurant or coffee cart in the basement.

The Capitol is located in downtown Sacramento at the intersection of 10th Street and L Street. A paid parking garage and metered parking are available around the building and grounds, or take the light rail to the 8th and Capitol station.

The building is open daily, though refreshments are only available during weekdays Holiday events such as Carols at the Capitol take place during the month of December.

Just 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) northwest of the California State Capitol is Old Sacramento, a US National Historic Landmark District on the Sacramento River. After your tour of the Capitol, head here to learn more about California’s history, including the Gold Rush and early days of the railroad.

No, the California State Capitol and Museum are public buildings with free admission and don't require tickets in advance. The museum also offers free public tours of the Capitol every hour on weekdays from 10am to 4pm, and free tours of the Capitol grounds are available several days a week.

Yes, the California State Capitol and Museum are accessible to people with disabilities. There are wheelchair-accessible ramp entrances on L Street and South Street, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, and elevators on either end of the Capitol Rotunda. Visitors can rent wheelchairs inside the building and assistive listening devices for use during tours.

The California State Capitol and Museum are open to the public on weekdays year-round. Try visiting as early or late as possible during weekdays to avoid school crowds. Also, public tours of the Capitol are available between 10am and 4pm, while tours of the Capitol Grounds are sometimes offered on weekends.

Yes, with some restrictions, you can take pictures (and video) inside the California State Capitol and Museum. Flash photography is not allowed inside the museum rooms on the first floor, and flash photography, stands, and any equipment that blocks aisles or views are not permitted in the Senate and Assembly.

The California State Capitol and Museum is in the heart of central Sacramento near many historic attractions—among them are the California State Capitol Park, the Stanford Mansion, and the California Museum, dedicated to the state’s cultural and ethnic history. It’s also about one mile (1.6 kilometers) from the Old Town and waterfront.

The California State Capitol and Museum doesn’t have dedicated parking for visitors. If you’re driving, your best bet is to find metered street parking or a parking garage nearby—there are plenty in the downtown area. The nearest parking garage is the City of Sacramento-Capitol Garage on 10th and L Streets.