Let us introduce you to Sacramento, the vibrant capital city of California. Nestled in the heart of the Golden State, Sacramento blends history, culture, and a lively urban atmosphere like no other. With its sunny weather and diverse population, the city exudes a warm and welcoming vibe. Whether you're exploring the historic Old Sacramento district, strolling along the beautiful Riverfront Promenade, or indulging in farm-to-fork culinary delights at the local eateries, Sacramento offers a little something for everyone. From its rich Gold Rush heritage to its thriving arts scene, this city has an irresistible charm that will captivate you from the moment you arrive.
We’ve curated a short-list of moderately priced boutique hotels perfect for your next girls’ weekend.
Note: some of the boutique hotels we recommend have a nightly amenities fee for some awesome extras included in your stay. Be sure to read about what’s included to take full advantage!
Situated in the vibrant Downtown Commons (DOCO) district, The Sawyer is a trendy boutique hotel with a lively and energetic ambiance. The rooms and suites feature contemporary design, upscale amenities, and stunning views of the city. The hotel offers a rooftop pool with a stylish lounge area featuring poolside yoga, live music and cabana rentals. Other amenities include evening social hour, on-site dining, PUBLIC bikes, well equipped fitness center, and partner spa located just off the lobby.
Nestled in the historic Mansion Flats neighborhood, The Sterling Hotel is a charming boutique hotel housed in a beautifully restored Victorian mansion. The hotel offers elegantly appointed rooms and suites with antique furnishings and modern comforts. For history buffs, the hotel is just steps from the California State Capitol, the Governor’s Mansion, and the Historic Crocker Museum. The hotel is also close to many nearby bars and restaurants for a fun evening of classic cocktails and live music.
The Westin Sacramento is a tranquil oasis nestled along the picturesque Sacramento River. With its serene ambiance and contemporary elegance, this hotel is perfect for a girls' getaway. Enjoy spacious and well-appointed rooms, an outdoor heated pool, an on-site hotel spa, lawn games, and stunning views. Whether you're exploring nearby Old Sacramento or enjoying river views at the award-winning hotel restaurant, The Westin Sacramento provides a perfect blend of comfort and sophistication for your weekend away.
Recommending restaurants can be tricky – there are so many choices! Here we have recommended a few of our favorites, but be sure to check out our local search links below if you are looking for something specific. Bon Appétit!
Bacon & Butter has been serving award-winning, California farm to fork breakfast, lunch, and brunch in Sacramento since 2012. They have received the Michelin Plate award for 5 years running.
Betty is a wine bar and bistro serving good food, good wine and good vibes, morning, day and night. Stop by in the morning for an exceptional coffee or tea. Pop in at lunch for salad or house made pasta or let that roll into the evening for a heartier dish and bottle with friends.
Hawks Public House is a chic, modern American gastropub located in East Sacramento at the intersection of Alhambra Boulevard and Stockton Boulevard. Established in 2015 by husband-and-wife chefs Molly Hawks and Michael Fagnoni, it is recognized in the Michelin Guide for its refined, seasonally inspired cuisine and craft cocktail program.
Journey to the Dumpling is a popular, locally owned restaurant specializing in dumplings and other authentic Chinese dishes. With locations in Midtown and Elk Grove, it is known for a family-friendly atmosphere, vibrant, seasonal, and high-quality food.
Located just blocks from the state capitol, Magpie is an acclaimed, farm-to-fork restaurant specializing in seasonal California cuisine, recognized as one of the state’s best. Founded in 2005, it offers a casual, locally sourced dining experience featuring favorites like crispy pork belly, seasonal salads, and craft cocktails.
Cozy, trendy, and intimate gastropub with extensive hanging plants and a refined “hidden gem” menu, including fried veggies, banh mi, and house burgers. They also specialize in curated cocktails, martinis, and a thoughtful wine list.
Want to see more options? We’ve included our favorite search links for this destination below. Use them for research or bookmark this site to use them on the fly when you want to search nearby.
The California State Capitol in Sacramento is one of those places that feels both iconic and surprisingly relaxing, perfect for a girls‑weekend stroll that mixes beauty, history, and plenty of photo‑worthy moments. The Capitol has been the home of California’s legislature and governor since 1854, and the striking Neoclassical building, completed in 1874, stands as a designated historical landmark right in the heart of downtown. Inside, the California State Capitol Museum features restored historic offices and exhibits, and it offers free, hour‑long public tours, making it easy to pop in and explore without overplanning.
Surrounding the building is Capitol Park, a lush 40‑acre green space that feels more like a garden escape than a government complex. One of its standout features is the World Peace Rose Garden, a beautifully designed Victorian‑style garden filled with hundreds of roses and winding paths, an ideal spot for slow walks and quiet conversations. Adding to the charm, Sacramento is famous for its camellias, which were introduced in the mid‑nineteenth century and now bloom throughout the city. These vibrant flowers have become a beloved symbol of Sacramento’s beauty and heritage, giving the Capitol grounds an extra layer of color and elegance.
The Midtown Farmers Market is pure girls‑weekend energy and one of the most fun ways to experience Sacramento like a local. Held in the heart of Midtown’s Lavender Heights district, this award‑winning market stretches across five lively blocks along 20th Street from J to L Streets, filling the neighborhood with color, music, and buzz every Saturday morning. With 200+ vendors, it’s the kind of place where you grab a coffee, wander without a plan, and keep stopping because everything looks good.
The market highlights local farms, fresh produce, prepared foods, baked goods, flowers, artisans, and crafters, making it perfect for grazing your way through the morning, pastries first, savory bites later, and maybe a bouquet or handmade find in between. Thousands of people show up each week, giving it a lively, social vibe that feels more like a block party than a grocery run. Live music, entertainment, and interactive activities add to the festive atmosphere, so there’s always something happening while you stroll.
The Midtown Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM (with a 9 AM start time in winter) and is completely walkable, surrounded by cute shops, cafés, and brunch spots that make it easy to turn your market visit into a full morning outing. Whether you’re hunting for the best breakfast bite, people‑watching with friends, or just soaking up the creative, community‑driven spirit of Midtown, this market is a can’t‑miss stop for a relaxed, fun‑loving girls weekend.
The Old Sacramento Waterfront is a 28‑acre National Historic Landmark district located along the Sacramento River, offering a charming step back into California’s Gold Rush era. The area is known for its restored 19th‑century buildings, wooden sidewalks, and cobblestone streets, creating a historic atmosphere. It is highly pedestrian‑friendly, making it ideal for leisurely strolling, browsing shops, stopping for photos, and soaking in the riverfront scenery at an unhurried pace.
Old Sacramento is home to several key cultural attractions, including the California State Railroad Museum, which explores the pivotal role railroads played in shaping California and the American West, as well as the Sacramento History Museum, which highlights the city’s early beginnings and Gold Rush heritage.
A standout feature of the waterfront is the Delta King, a beautifully restored paddlewheel riverboat originally built in 1927 and now permanently docked along the river. Today, the Delta King operates as a boutique hotel and entertainment venue, offering riverfront dining at the Pilothouse Restaurant, cocktails at the Delta Bar, and scenic views of both Old Sacramento and downtown. Whether stopping in for a meal, a drink, or simply to admire the historic vessel, the Delta King adds a memorable and iconic element to the Old Sacramento experience.
The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is a 100‑acre “living museum” founded in 1936 and located along the banks of Putah Creek on the UC Davis campus. Open to the public 24 hours a day, free of charge, the Arboretum features more than 20,000 trees and plants adapted to a Mediterranean climate, thoughtfully arranged into themed collections and gardens that reflect different regions and horticultural styles. A 3.5‑mile walking and running loop winds through the landscape, making it a favorite spot for recreation, quiet reflection, and nature‑filled strolls with friends. In addition to its gardens and scenic paths, the Arboretum regularly hosts community events, including weekly folk music jam sessions held every Friday, where visitors can join in with fellow musicians or simply relax and enjoy the live music in a peaceful outdoor setting.
Enjoy a cocktail cruise along the Sacramento River as you sip on delicious drinks. Cruise under the Tower Bridge and soak in the views of the city skyline on an unforgettable happy hour.
See some of Sacramento’s world class murals on this guided walking tour. You will learn about our famous murals, street art and sculptures created by artists from all over the world. You’ll also get a special sweet treat with you at the end of this fun excursion.
Embark on a scenic train ride through West Sacramento’s wine region on the Old Vine Express. Sip on a welcome glass of sparkling wine, enjoy a flight of 5 wines, and savor a canapé assortment.
Follow your in-the-know guide to a selection of Sacramento’s best breweries and beer bars on this small-group party-bike experience. Listen to music, talk with the other passengers, and learn from an insider about the bar scene in Sacramento.
Sacramento’s Downtown Commons (DOCO) is a great stop for a girls’ day (or night) out, offering a vibrant, open‑air mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment right in the heart of downtown. Centered around the Golden 1 Center and just steps from the State Capitol, DOCO is the perfect place to gather, explore, and keep the energy going.
Stroll along K Street between 4th and 7th Streets while hopping between stylish retailers and an impressive lineup of restaurants that range from quick, casual bites to polished, upscale dining. Whether you’re grabbing drinks before an event, lingering over dinner, or popping into shops between plans, DOCO’s central location and easy access to public transportation make it an effortless and fun hub for spending time together.
Midtown Sacramento is the perfect destination for a girls’ day out, offering a walkable, eclectic shopping scene filled with independent boutiques, art galleries, and sustainably minded shops, especially along the lively J Street corridor and nearby blocks. Midtown is set up as a grid with numerical streets from 16th to 30th running north and south, and alphabetical streets from B to V running east to west, so its super simple to navigate.
Spend the day hopping between vintage finds, local bookstores, and must‑visit boutiques, then take a break at one of the area’s many cozy cafés or stylish restaurants. Saturdays are especially lively thanks to the beloved Midtown Farmers Market, where fresh food, local makers, and people‑watching make for the ultimate weekend vibe. With colorful street art, locally owned shops, and nonstop café energy, Midtown is a trendy cultural hub that’s ideal for strolling, shopping, sipping, and soaking up time with friends.
For those of you looking for a fun night out on your girls’ getaway, we’ve got your back. Whether it’s dancing the night away or girl talk over delicious cocktails, we’ve got options. We’ll help you find the right fit with our favorite local search links below.
Located in the heart of Downtown, in the Downtown Commons, Fizz has more than 150 different champagnes and sparkling wines by the bottle and another 20 by the glass. Whether you want to indulge in some great sparkling wine and a cheeseboard before or after an event or just want a truly unique experience, Fizz has something to make you pop!
The Jungle Bird is a full‑on tropical escape in the heart of Midtown Sacramento, serving up island vibes, an extensive rum selection, and colorful tiki‑style cocktails. The space is packed with lush, paradise‑inspired décor and a lively patio, making it feel fun and intentionally over‑the‑top. Alongside its cocktail program, The Jungle Bird offers island‑inspired food that’s perfect for sharing.
The Roost is an intimate, hidden speakeasy located in Midtown accessed through a service closet in the back of the BAWK! by Urban Roots restaurant. Known for its dimly lit, brick-walled atmosphere, it offers high-end cocktails and curated music, providing a cozy escape off R Street.
The Snug is a beloved Midtown cocktail bar known for its warm, laid‑back vibe and consistently excellent drinks. The space balances cozy indoor booths with a lush, enclosed patio that feels relaxed and inviting early in the evening and livelier as the night goes on. The cocktail program focuses on creative, seasonal drinks that feel elevated but approachable, and DJs later in the night bring just enough energy to keep things moving without turning it into a full club.
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