California State Indian Museum. Clothing, weapons, musical instruments, other artifacts. How Native Americans lived. 2618 K Street, in downtown Sacramento across from Sutter's Fort. (916) 324-0971.

Capitol Mall. Daily tours, 9-4, of the California State Capitol. Show up early for a tour and ask the guard where to get free tickets. When the Legislature is in session, the public can view the action. Group, foreign language and sign-language tours availability. Other edifices of interest include the Archives Building, an ornate celebration of paperwork, and the Library and Courts building. Planted throughout the Capitol Park are over 300 trees, representatives of species grown throughout the state and nation.

Golden State Museum. New high-tech museum, covering California history. 4 galleries, called Place, People, Promise and Politics. In the Fall, open Tuesday through Sunday. Admission: $6.50 Adults, $3.50 Ages 6-14, Free under 6. Located two blocks from the Capitol at 1020 O Street.

Governor's Mansion. A fine representation of the state's Victorian architecture when it was constructed in 1877, this building at 16th and H streets now houses artifacts from the state's history. Admission $2 Adults, $1 Ages 6-12, Free under 6.

Stanford Mansion. The former house of Gov. Leland Stanford. Near Capitol Mall at 8th and N streets. Free tours Tuesday and Thursday, 12:15pm; Saturday, 12:15 and 1:30pm. Call to confirm. (916) 324-0575.

Sutter's Fort. Reconstructed adobe fort in the downtown, 27th and L Streets. Where John Sutter built his fort. Self-guided tours daily, 10-5. Admission $5 Adults, $2 Ages 6-12, Free under 6. (916) 442-4966.

B.F. Hastings Building. In 1860 this was end of line for Pony Express. Also served for sessions of the state Supreme Court. Alta Telegraph Company, operating in the building, sent the first transcontinental telegraph message. The building has two museums: one celebrating Pony Express days, the other Wells Fargo and its role in early California. The courtrooms can also be visited 10am to 5pm daily.

Big Four Building. Where Leland Stanford, Charlie Crocker, Mark Hopkins and Collis Huntington founded Central Pacific Railroad and laid plans to make its transcontinental. Art gallery, research library, re-created hardware store from 1800s featured. Hopkins and Huntington sold hardware.

Delta King. Riverboat, that hauled goods and passengers between Sacramento and San Francisco. Now a hotel with restaurants, shops.

Discovery Museum Learning Center. A hands-on science exhibit geared for kids, but interesting for adults, too. The center is at 3615 Auburn Blvd. and open Wednesday through Friday, noon-5pm; weekends, 10am-60pm.

The Globe. Before Panama Canal, many gold seekers and immigrants rounded the horn -- Cape Horn -- to reach California. The Globe is a recreation type ship that made the perilous journey. Between J and K streets.

Lady Adams Building. Built from the wood of the ship "Lady Adams" in 1852, this building was the only one to survive a devastating five that year.

The Matthew McKinley. Take an excursion on a paddle wheel steamer down the river. Day and overnight trips. Docked at the L Street landing.

Old Eagle Theatre. Front and J streets. Replica of California's first theatre, established in 1849, houses slide show, theatrical productions.

Old Sacramento Schoolhouse. A replica of one-room schoolhouse.

Old Sacramento Walking Tours. Self-guided tours. Booklets available at the railroad museum at 2nd and I streets.

Railroad Museum. At 2nd and I streets. Fascinating museum that will entrance even those with little interest in trains. About 20 restored locomotives and cars, including one that gives "passengers" impression the train is moving. Nearby are the Central Pacific Passenger Depot and the Central Pacific Freight Depot. Exhibits recall golden age of rails and Chinese laborers who laid the tracks. During spring and summer, catch a ride on a restored steam train to nearby park and back. Open daily except major holidays. Admission $6 adults, $3 for children 6-12, children under six free. For information, (916) 445-6645.

Crocker Art Museum. Edwin B. Crocker, brother of the railroad Crocker and a Big Man in his own right -- state supreme court justice -- was a hard-working fellow with an interest in art and a whimsical disposition. When a seamstress sewed a pocket on askew, he was more amused than displeased, asked to see the woman and ended up marrying her. After knocking down his fortune, E.B. toured Europe and came back with over 700 paintings and 1,000 drawings. All wound up in a beautiful mansion that he had remodeled in the Italianate style. When E.B. died, Mrs. Crocker donated the home and paintings to Sacramento. Located at 3rd and O streets, museum is open Wednesday - Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm; Thursday, until 9pm. Admission $4.50, adults; ages 7-17, $2; kids under 7, free. (916) 264-5423

California Military Museum. Collection of military memorabilia, swords, uniforms, etc. Open daily 10am - 4pm, except Mondays when closed. Admission  adults $3, seniors $1.50, children $1, free from children 5 an dunder. 1119 Second Street. (916) 442-2883

The Delta. Where the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers meet, miles and miles of streams and rivers. Fertile islands of farmland protected by leaves. Popular recreation area: fishing, boating, waterskiing, swimming, hiking. Important for wildlife. When fall hits Canada, ducks take off for the Delta. Delta delicacy: the crawdad. Isleton celebrates annually with a cookoff of the crustacean. To sample the Delta, take Highway 160 southwest through Courtland, Walnut Grove and Isleton.

Discovery Museum. A five-gallery exhibit of the city's history. Uses a novel interactive video approach. One of the more impressive exhibits; gold extracted from the Mother Lode. Open Tuesday through Sunday, at 101 I Street. (916) 264-7057.

Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Effie Yeaw, Sacramento teacher, loved animals, trees and nature, fought to protect them, inspired others to do the same. This nature center recalls her kindnesses. Family-oriented nature exhibits and presentations. In Ancil Hoffman Park, 6700 Parshes Drive, Carmichael. (916) 489-4918.

Explorit: Davis Science Center. 3141 Fifth Street, Davis. (530) 756-0191.

Folsom Zoo. Natoma and Stafford streets, in Folsom City Park. (916) 351-3527.

Gold Country. Coloma, Placerville, Auburn, Nevada City, Grass Valley. Also Drytown, Sutter Creek, Fiddletown, Volcano, Amador City, Jackson, Tuttletown, San Andreas, Angels Camp, and many others. Get a map and drive. Towns have tried to preserve buildings and artifacts from the era when California meant gold.

Hays Antique Track Museum. 2000 East Main Street, Woodland. (530) 666-1044.

McClellan Aviation Museum. Historic aircraft (26 restored planes, including a MIG), and other aviation displays. On McClellan Air Force Base, 825 Palm Avenue. (916) 643-3192.

Movie Theatres. Check what is playing at a movie theatre near you. For a listing of movie theatres with addresses and phone numbers and links to check the movie times, click here.

Nimbus and American River Fish Hatcheries. Self-guided tours. Hazel Road to Gold Country Boulevard to Nimbus Road. (916) 358-2820.

Sacramento Zoo. This 15-acre park features many animals from endangered species in their "natural" habitat. Across the street is Fairytale Town for young children. Located in Land Park, one of the nicest in Sacramento. Zoo and Fairytale open daily 10am - 4pm. (916) 264-5885.

Shopping Centers. For a listing of some shopping centers in the area, along with addresses and phone numbers, click here.

Ski Areas. For a listing of ski areas and related snow activity information, click here.

Towe Ford Museum. 2200 Front Street. Splendid for car lovers. Displays include everything from Model A Runabout to former governor Jerry Brown's Plymouth "austeremobile." Open daily, 10am - 6pm. Admission $5, adults; $4.50, seniors; $2.50, students; $1 children. (916) 442-6802.

Wine Tasting & Winery Tours. Click here for a listing of wineries in the area.

For Basketball Nuts. Find the NBA Sacramento Kings at www.nba.com/kings/, the WNBA Sacramento Monarchs at www.wnba.com/monarchs/. And there is also UC Davis and Cal State Sacramento.

For Football Nuts. UC Davis and Cal State Sacramento.

For Baseball Nuts. Find the MLB Oakland A's AAA team, the Sacramento Rivercats at www.rivercats.com.

Softball and Bowling. These don't draw the headlines but they many be the most popular adult activities in the area. Thousands play. For information on bowling, go to the alleys. For softball, call the local recreation department or city recreation.

Kids Activities. Here are some good places to start: junior high and high school coaches. You may have to be a little persistent here. Activities are sponsored by diverse groups: Boys and Girls Clubs, Little League, Pop Warner, recreation groups, leagues thrown together by parents.

Cal Expo. Host at the end of each summer to the State Fair, rides, booths, amusements, a super county fair. Located at 1600 Exposition Blvd. Open year-round for a variety of events. (916) 263-3000.

Sacramento Fine Arts Center. Works by local and national artists. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am to 3pm; Sunday, 1pm to 5pm. At 5330 Gibbons Drive in Carmichael. (916) 971-3713.

Sacramento Theatre Company. Classical drama, regional premieres and comedies. Located at 15th and H Streets. (916) 443-6722, (888) 4STCTIX.

Community Center Theatre. Ballet opera and concerts from local to Broadway productions featured, 14th and L Streets. (530) 273-6362.

Sacramento Opera Association. Productions at the Community Center Theatre, brown-bag concerts throughout the year around city. (916) 737-1000.

Cal State and UC Davis. Concert bands, symphony orchestras, vocal groups, visiting artists. Cal State: (916) 278-6595. UC Davis: (530) 752-2222.

Other Theatres. For a listing of more theatres with addresses and phone numbers, click here.

Camellia Festival. Spring event that celebrates the city's official flower. Festival features parades and sporting events, including the Camellia Cup Regatta on Folsom Lake.

Dixieland Jazz Jubilee. Memorial Day Weekend, Dixieland Jazz bands and enthusiasts gather from around the world to jam and enjoy this brand of music that America calls her own. Old Sacramento hosts most of the music, but venues are set up throughout the city. A delight for jazz fans.

Sacramento Blues Festival. September. Takes place in Old Sacramento. Features well-known blues artists.

Sacramento Water Festival. Fourth of July. Big names in power boat racing are featured on the Sacramento River. Also floating parades featuring just about anything that doesn't sink.

Tomato Festival. Each August, the city that calls itself "The Big Tomato" celebrates with food, games and fun events.