Walking Sacramento (30 Walking Tours Exploring Art, Architecture, History, and Little-Known Gems)

Explore the neighborhoods, history, and hidden corners of California’s capital through 35 self-guided walking tours.

From Old Sacramento’s Gold Rush streets to leafy Midtown boulevards, from bustling downtown corridors to shaded neighborhood sidewalks, Sacramento is a place best explored on foot. Grab your walking shoes and become an urban adventurer. Walking Sacramento invites you to slow down, look closer, and experience the area as a living, evolving city.

Written by Sacramento resident and urban policy expert M. Nolan Gray, this informative and entertaining guide leads you along 35 curated walks that blend local history, architecture, culture, and everyday life. You’ll trace the city’s layered past while discovering corner stores, parks, cafes, civic landmarks, and hidden gems that might not make it into other travel guides.

The book moves well beyond the city core, with walks in Davis, Woodland, Isleton, Auburn, Grass Valley, Nevada City, Folsom, Placerville, and more—revealing how the greater Sacramento region fits together through geography, economy, and shared history. Whether you’re a longtime resident looking to see familiar streets with fresh eyes or a visitor seeking an authentic way to experience the region, Walking Sacramento offers a richer way to explore one of California’s most underrated cities. Lace up your shoes and start walking.

Book Features

• 35 self-guided walking tours across Sacramento and surrounding towns
• Maps, distances, difficulty levels, and parking information for every walk
• Insightful commentary on history, architecture, and urban change
• Portable, stylish format ideal for locals and visitors alike