Sacramento, CA, occupies a picturesque valley in central California's confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers. The area that would become the city of Sacramento was populated by Native Americans and colonized by the Spanish in the early 19th century. The city itself was founded in 1850 and made the permanent state capital in 1879.
Known as the City of Trees, Sacramento is a unique location with thousands of acres of urban forest. It has more trees per capita within the city limits than any other city in the world. Sacramento is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, cool winters with a considerable amount of rain—in fact, the entire city has flooded at least twice in modern times.
As the capital of California, Sacramento is a hot spot for business travelers, politicians, tourists, and other visitors of all kinds, making it a perfect setting for corporate events and business meetings. The city has a rich history reflected in its cultural landmarks and a host of unique venues, including Old Sacramento Waterfront, State Capitol, Curtis Park, and more. It is also known for its farm-to-fork food philosophy and has more than 60 microbreweries in addition to wineries and cocktail lounges.
With its mild climate, access to rivers and forests, leading-edge cuisine, and unique party venues, visitors and locals alike will find plenty to do in Sacramento. Many of the attractions and amenities offer great photo opportunities, making them perfect spots for guests to explore before or after a wedding reception, birthday party, or corporate event.
California State Railroad Museum
California has lived by the rails since the arrival of the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869. It connected the state’s rich agricultural, oil, and timber resources with the rest of the country much more quickly than sailing. The California State Railroad Museum features artifacts, rail cars, and other information about the golden age of rail travel, along with elaborate toy train setups. Located near downtown Sacramento this museum provides a unique blend of education and entertainment, perfect if your friends or family seek an immersive experience close to your event venue.
Old Sacramento
Lining the waterfront of the Sacramento River, Old Sacramento is part of the city’s historic district. You can book an event space nearby so your guests have numerous dining and shopping opportunities, as well as access to museums, carnival rides, carriage rides, and river cruises. The neighborhood also hosts many events and festivals throughout the year, from Superbowl watch parties to cultural and food festivals. The area is a designated National Historic Landmark and serves as a unique location for those wanting to explore the city’s roots in the days surrounding a special event.
Sacramento Zoo
Established in 1927, the Sacramento Zoo is a non-profit education-focused zoo that began as the “little zoo in the park.” Today, this unique venue features more than 500 animals of many different species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Visitors can see crowd favorites like chimpanzees, lemurs, cheetahs, lions, and kangaroos, as well as endangered snow leopards and other uncommon animals. There are also animal ambassadors to help visitors of all ages learn about conservation and habitats.
Sacramento has been home to productions both old and new, from Cool Hand Luke and Pink Cadillac to Memoirs of a Geisha and Free Solo. Removed from the hustle and bustle of southern California, Sacramento is an entirely different landscape from SoCal.
Forest Land
Sacramento is known as the City of Trees, and there are thousands of acres of urban forest land forming a perfect backdrop for photo shoots and natural filming opportunities. If you can’t find something that suits your needs within the city limits, there are national and state parks located just a stone’s throw away.
Restaurants and Bars
Many films and television series have dining scenes, whether in the home or a public restaurant. Intimate proposals, fight scenes, parties and even some horror scenes happen while unsuspecting diners enjoy their dinners. Sacramento has a variety of restaurants and bars available for filming based on the type of scene you’re shooting. This historic wine-tasting venue has a pleasing atmosphere and is available for large and small scenes.
Studio Space
A closed studio is a perfect space that offers a blank canvas for smaller events, commercials, advertisements, and photo shoots with static elements like backdrops and props. Sacramento offers several location options for both empty studios and large spaces equipped for audio, lighting, and green screen setups. The average size of studio spaces in Sacramento varies, depending on whether they're used as apartments, office spaces, or video studios. If you’re only looking to record audio, you can do it in style at a commercial studio with a cyclorama wall.
For those looking for a unique space or a perfect venue in Sacramento, for their big day, event venues here offer a range of amenities for any occasion. Whether you are planning a bachelorette party or a corporate annual meeting, you’ll find an event space that suits your budget, audience, and theme. Choose from conference centers, office spaces, private residences, and more. Plus, Sacramento has several local businesses to host and support your event.
Private Homes
Sacramento is an old city that blends its past with its modern future. Within its neighborhoods, you’ll find homes that meet your event and filming needs from old to new. A film venue like a rustic, riverfront former scout camp evokes feelings of earlier time periods and country living, while this luxurious vineyard estate is a clean, comfortable setting for any movie set.
Conference and Event Centers
Hosting a large event such as an industry conference or trade show, corporate meeting, presentation or lecture requires a lot of space, adequate facilities like parking and restrooms, and room for meetings. A conference center will have plenty of room for trade show exhibits, rooms for breakout sessions, plenty of onsite parking, options for catering or beverage services, and presentation space. There are also several event halls that make excellent wedding venues in Sacramento and can be transformed from plain to extraordinary.
River and Parks
Sacramento sits at the confluence of two rivers, and there are more beautiful outdoor spaces in the city limits than many places have in their surrounding areas. The river banks and surrounding parklands make the perfect backdrop for some of the best photoshoot locations for weddings in Sacramento.
