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Free Traveling Guides » States » California » Gold Country
Sacramento
Sacramento, located in California’s Central Valley, is home to an estimated population of 467,000 and is the capital of the state. Following James Wilson Marshall’s discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, fortune seekers descended on the area, lifting it from a small town to a major hotspot of the West. John Sutter Jr. settled in the area and named the city Sacramento after the river that runs through the valley.
Today, Sacramento is the seventh most populated city in California and is a thriving bed for tourism, business, and, of course, state politics. The capitol is where the business of California gets done, and the home to the California House of Representatives. The city is also the site of Sacramento State College, which boasts an annual enrollment of just over 22,000 students. It is also home to the Sacramento Kings, an NBA basketball team which plays its home games at the Arco Arena.
For tourists there is Sutter’s Fort and Old Sacramento, which is the oldest part of town and a destination of choice for those wishing to delve into the history of gold rush era California. Restored historic buildings, some dating as far back as 1860, line the cobbled streets and there are even historic trains and paddle steamers, offering rides to visitors. History buffs will also be advised to visit the California State Railroad Museum which is filled with historical exhibits and offers special events throughout the year.
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