Discover Sacramento
123 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Tower Bridge
This iconic gold-colored vertical lift bridge is a photographer's dream. It contrasts beautifully with the blue California sky and transforms into a spectacular sight at twilight.
Old Sacramento
Historic district with wooden boardwalks, brick buildings, and riverfront views, ideal for street and architectural photography.
Old Sacramento Waterfront
This historic area offers a unique blend of past and present, with wooden sidewalks and horse-drawn carriages. The Tower Bridge is a highlight for sunset photography.
California State Capitol Building
This iconic building features stunning neoclassical architecture and is set in the beautiful Capitol Park. Both its interior exhibits and exterior grandeur offer numerous photography opportunities.
Old Fair Oaks Bridge
An iconic metal truss bridge with a picturesque backdrop of the American River, ideal for architectural and landscape photography.
The Tower Bridge
A historic river bridge offering a iconic and photogenic setting, especially during sunset over the Sacramento River.
California State Capitol Park
A historic park with monuments, gardens, and a picturesque layout, ideal for architecture and family portraits.
McKinley Park and Rose Garden
This park features a well-manicured rose garden with trellises and arches, providing a colorful backdrop for photos. Other features include palm trees, leafy vegetation, and a charming pond.
DOCO (Downtown Commons)
A modern area with sleek architecture and vibrant city life, featuring the Golden 1 Center.
State Capitol Park World Peace Rose Garden
Beautifully lush with roses, offering a stunning backdrop for photos, especially during bloom season.
Tower Bridge Riverfront
This iconic bridge offers stunning views of the Sacramento River and the city skyline, perfect for capturing architectural and landscape shots.
White Swan Castle
A fairytale-like castle with stone architecture, perfect for capturing magical or fairytale-themed photos.
American River Parkway: Fair Oaks Bridge to Hazel Ave.
This stretch of the parkway offers great views of the American River, lush fern gullies, and seasonal wildlife, particularly birds.
Rooftops Downtown
Downtown Sacramento offers several rooftop spots with stunning city views, ideal for urban landscape and architecture photography.
Capitol Park
A historic park with a Desert Garden, State Capitol Park World Peace Rose Garden, and the Capital Walkway of Trees. It offers a mix of architectural and natural photography opportunities.
The Ziggurat Building
A unique pyramid-shaped building offering a distinctive architectural feature for photography, especially during sunset for dramatic light.
Cosumnes River Preserve
This wetland preserve offers a serene environment with walking trails, tall grasses, forested stretches, a lengthy footbridge, and wooden boardwalks along small lakes. It's ideal for capturing 'big sky' sunsets and diverse wildlife.
Sacramento California Temple
This temple offers a beautiful architectural backdrop, especially during sunrise or sunset when the light accentuates its design.
American River Parkway
A scenic trail along the American River offering views of the river, lush fern gullies, and diverse wildlife.
Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve
A nature preserve with hiking trails and diverse wildlife, offering opportunities for nature and wildlife photography.
Leland Stanford Mansion
A historic mansion offering a blend of architecture and history, perfect for capturing detailed façades and ornate interiors.
West 12 Ranch
Rustic barns and expansive countryside views offer a charming backdrop for vintage or country-themed photography.
Sutter's Fort State Historic Park
This historic site offers insights into California's early days. Its adobe walls and rustic setting provide a unique backdrop for photography.
Old Town Sacramento
Historic architecture and cobblestone streets make it a unique spot for urban photography.
Cactus Garden in Capitol Park
This small garden is unique with its variety of cacti, providing a distinct setting for photography.
Fair Oaks Bridge
A historic bridge with scenic views of the American River, ideal for architecture and landscape photography.
Graffiti Alley - Improv Alley
Graffiti Alley, located at Improv Alley in Sacramento’s Boulevard Park area, is a vibrant urban space renowned for its extensive and colorful street art murals created by local and visiting artists. This narrow alleyway transforms ordinary urban walls into a dynamic canvas showcasing diverse styles, themes, and social commentary, making it an exceptional spot for street photography enthusiasts. The ever-changing nature of the murals means new artworks regularly appear, offering fresh and captivating subjects. Photographers can capture intricate details of the graffiti, vibrant colors under natural light, and unique urban textures. The alley's confined space and graffiti-covered walls provide strong compositional elements like leading lines, repetition, and framing, which contribute to visually compelling photos.
California State Railroad Museum
A museum showcasing historic locomotives and offering a glimpse into California's railroad past. Ideal for capturing historic architecture and machinery.
Downtown Commons (DOCO)
A modern area with sleek architecture and the Golden 1 Center as a backdrop. Ideal for an urban, contemporary vibe.
Prairie City SVRA
A vast area for off-road and motocross enthusiasts, offering opportunities for action and motorsport photography.
The Train Station in Old Sacramento
An historic train station with rustic charm, offering interesting architectural details and street life photography opportunities.
Ice Blocks
A vibrant urban location in Sacramento, offering industrial and artistic backdrops.
Land Park
A scenic park featuring a lake, walking trails, and the William Land Park Golf Course, offering a mix of natural beauty and recreational activities.
The Ice Blocks
A modern urban area with unique architecture and vibrant street art, ideal for urban and street photography.
Crocker Art Museum
A museum featuring a beautiful courtyard and a contrasting mix of old and new architectural styles, offering opportunities for street and architectural photography.
The State Railroad Museum
A museum featuring historic locomotives and trains, offering opportunities for industrial and historical photography.
Consumnes River
A peaceful spot for capturing river scenes, wildlife, and serene landscapes.
DOCO
Modern cityscape with sleek architecture and vibrant nightlife, ideal for capturing urban landscapes and street photography.
American River
While not directly in Rocklin but nearby, the American River offers stunning natural scenery and water views. It's perfect for capturing serene landscapes and wildlife shots.
Midtown Sacramento
Known for its vibrant street art, eclectic shops, and lively atmosphere, offering a great backdrop for street photography.
Gibson Ranch Recreational Park
A large park featuring a lake, nature reserve, soccer fields, and various picnic areas, offering diverse settings for outdoor photography.
McKinley Rose Garden
A beautiful garden featuring rows of roses, trellises, and arches, perfect for capturing vibrant colors and textures.
American River Parkway - Fair Oaks Bridge to Hazel Ave.
A scenic trail along the American River, offering views of the river, lush vegetation, and wildlife. It is excellent for landscape and wildlife photography, especially during the early morning or late afternoon.
Mural on R Street
A large mural on R Street in Sacramento, offering a unique backdrop for urban photography and portraiture.
Downtown Sacramento
A bustling urban area with opportunities for capturing cityscapes and street life.
Jensen Botanical Gardens
A beautiful garden with a variety of plants and flowers, perfect for capturing nature's beauty.
William B. Pond Recreation Area
Offers scenic views of the American River and surrounding landscape, ideal for outdoor photography.
Golden 1 Center
A modern sports and entertainment arena with a futuristic design. Offers great opportunities for architectural photography, especially during events or at night.
Gibson Ranch Regional Park
A 355-acre park featuring a lake, nature reserve, and soccer fields, offering diverse photo opportunities in a natural setting.
Colorful Alleys
Vibrant alleys with street art, perfect for capturing urban culture and candid moments.
Prestige Portraits
A professional photography studio specializing in graduation and portraiture photography. It offers a range of backgrounds and lighting setups.
LMCP Studios
A professional photo studio offering various backdrops and settings for studio photography.
McKinley Park
Known for its beautiful rose garden, McKinley Park offers a serene setting for capturing nature and portrait photography.
Capital Walkway of Trees
A downtown Sacramento staple featuring meticulously groomed trees and landscaping, great for capturing urban nature.
Mallard Mockingbird Lake
A picturesque lake setting with opportunities for capturing wildlife, especially birds, and serene natural landscapes.
Sacramento River
A larger body of water nearby, offering opportunities for waterscape photography and wildlife, especially during migrations or birdwatching.
Nimbus Dam
A hydroelectric dam on the American River. Offers scenic views of the river and surrounding landscape.
Sacramento Riverwalk
A scenic pedestrian path along the Sacramento River, offering beautiful views of the river and the city, ideal for landscape and street photography.
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
A nature preserve with trails and wildlife viewing opportunities. Perfect for nature and wildlife photography.
Brannan Island State Recreation Area
Located near Rio Vista, this park offers scenic views of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, ideal for capturing landscapes and wildlife photography. The park provides opportunities for camping, boating, fishing, and birding.
Sailor Bar Park
A secluded park with rolling hills and varied landscapes, perfect for nature and portrait photography.
Roomy Warehouse Studio
A spacious indoor studio perfect for portraits, fashion, and product photography.
Sunrise Farmers Market
A bustling farmers market held regularly, offering a vibrant setting for capturing street life and candid portraits of people interacting with local produce.
Mural on R St
A location featuring large murals, perfect for capturing urban art and vibrant colors.
Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve Trail
A trail within the Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve, offering opportunities for nature and wildlife photography.
I Street Bridge
A steel bridge with a historical significance, offering views of the Sacramento River and surrounding landscape.
Orangevale Community Park
This park offers vibrant fall colors and a woodsy feel, perfect for capturing nature and autumnal hues. The long wooded driveway is especially picturesque during October and November.
Ghostly Botanical Garden
A mysterious and unique garden, perfect for capturing unusual and intriguing botanical scenes.
The American River Bike Trail
A scenic trail along the American River, offering opportunities for nature and landscape photography.
WPA Rock Garden
This lush garden is a haven for nature photography, featuring winding paths through a variety of plants and trees. It's ideal for capturing serene and natural scenes.
J Street
A vibrant street with eclectic shops and eateries, suitable for street and urban photography.
Taller Arte del Nuevo Amanecer (TANA)
An art gallery showcasing contemporary art, providing a modern and vibrant backdrop for photography focused on art and culture.
Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area
An open area ideal for capturing off-road activities and motorsports, offering unique perspectives with the movement and dust.
Victorian Homes
Historic homes with Victorian architecture, ideal for exterior and architectural photography.
Cesar Chavez Park
A downtown park with a beautiful lake and walking paths, offering opportunities for nature and street photography.
William Land Park
A scenic park featuring a lake, gardens, and walking trails. It offers a serene atmosphere perfect for nature photography and portraits.
Del Meyer Park
Del Meyer Park features a nature trail that connects Jack Hill Park and Camden Lake. The trail is paved and follows a creek, offering sightings of waterfowl like ducks and egrets. It passes under railroad tracks and has access points from neighborhood cul-de-sacs. Ideal for senior portraits, couples, or headshots.
William Pond Park
A serene park with a mix of green spaces and tranquil water bodies, offering a peaceful setting for nature photography and capturing serene landscapes.
American River Bike Trail
A scenic trail along the American River, ideal for nature and landscape photography.
Heirloom Acres Farm
A seasonal cut flower farm offering u-pick events and a pumpkin patch in October. It's ideal for capturing vibrant colors and seasonal activities.
Desert Garden in Capitol Park
This small area within Capitol Park features fun cacti that are perfect for evening sunset photos, offering a unique and visually interesting backdrop.
Cactus Garden, Capitol Park
A small, unique area within Capitol Park featuring cacti, offering a different environment for photography.
Pocket Park
A small park with a unique design, offering opportunities for urban and street photography.
Barsetti Vineyards
A local vineyard with scenic views and wine tasting opportunities. Ideal for capturing vineyard landscapes and wine-related photography.
The R Street Corridor
A trendy area filled with art murals, restaurants, and nightlife, providing opportunities for street and urban photography.
J.J. Pfister Distillery
A distillery with a Roaring Twenties theme, offering unique opportunities for interior and lifestyle photography.
Natomas Rose Garden
A rose garden with a variety of flora, offering vibrant colors and serene backdrops.
Sutter's Fort
A historic fort with a rustic charm, ideal for historical and architectural photography.
Mather Regional Park
A scenic park with a lake and walking trails. Offers opportunities for nature and wildlife photography.
The Gardens at Theodore Judah
A community garden with diverse plant species and beautiful scenery, suitable for nature and macro photography.
Ancil Hoffman Park
Features river rock and a sandy shore, perfect for capturing scenic natural landscapes and water views.
Mather Field
A former military base turned park, offering open fields and old structures. Ideal for capturing urban landscapes and experimenting with unique perspectives.
Underneath Bridge Arcadecreek
This spot offers a chance to capture the urban landscape and the play of light under the bridge, especially appealing for street or urban photography.
The Delta King
A historic paddlewheel riverboat turned hotel, situated on the Sacramento River with stunning views, offering opportunities for river and boat photography.
Sacramento State University Campus
Known for its modern architecture and lush greenery, making it suitable for capturing campus life and university landscapes.
Ancil Hoffman Golf Course
Surrounded by lush greenery, this golf course offers serene views and is a great spot for landscape photography.
Wisdom Park
A community park with playgrounds and sports fields, providing a lively setting for family photographs or action shots.
The Cliff House
A historic restaurant overlooking the Sacramento River, offering views of the river and the city, ideal for landscape and dining photography.
Fair Oaks Village
A charming village near Orangevale with historic buildings and quaint streets, ideal for capturing architectural and street photography.
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North Highlands Recreation and Park District
This area encompasses multiple parks, each offering unique photography opportunities ranging from landscapes to portraits.
Antioch Waterfront
Offers scenic views of the San Joaquin River and the Delta, suitable for waterscape and landscape photography.
Sutter's Fort State Historic Site
A historic fort and museum showcasing California's early history, offering a glimpse into the past with unique architecture and historical settings.
Orangevale Parks And Recreation
This area includes biking trails and open grassy spots, suitable for capturing active lifestyles and nature landscapes.
Norma Hamlin Park
A quiet park with open grassy areas and shaded spots, suitable for capturing serene landscapes and relaxed moments.
Rio Linda Community Park
A local park with green spaces and community events, offering opportunities for capturing everyday life and outdoor activities.
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Sherman Island Regional Park
A park offering opportunities for nature and wildlife photography, with views of the surrounding wetlands and wildlife.
Citrus Heights Historical Society Museum
A museum showcasing the local history of Citrus Heights, providing a unique setting for historical and cultural photography.
Coloma Road
A road with scenic views of the American River and surrounding landscape, suitable for landscape and road photography.
San Juan Water District Nature Preserve
A natural area with trails and wildlife, providing opportunities for nature photography.
Antelope Greens Park
A community park with green spaces and walking trails, ideal for casual family photography.
Crossroads Community Church
A place of worship with an interesting architectural design, offering a unique setting for capturing portraits or street photography with a religious theme.
Delta Breeze Park
A peaceful park with a focus on community activities and natural scenery. Offers opportunities for landscape and street photography.
Discover Park
A large urban park with a lake, playgrounds, and walking trails, providing opportunities for nature and family photography.
Birds in the Trees
Local wildlife, such as birds nesting in trees, can be found throughout Citrus Heights. This spot is great for nature and wildlife photography.
Highway Driving Rest Stop
An unconventional location for automotive or travel photography, offering unique perspectives on roadside culture.
Goodwill
While not a traditional photography spot, Goodwill stores can provide interesting urban landscapes and street photography opportunities with unique architectural details.
William J. Kinney Park
A local park with green spaces, walking paths, and community events, suitable for casual and family photography.
Orangevale History Museum
This museum provides an opportunity to capture historical architecture and cultural artifacts, perfect for documentary and architectural photography.
Carmichael Park
A family-friendly park with tennis courts, playgrounds, and walking paths. It's good for capturing casual family moments or street photography.
Carmichael
A suburban area with parks and neighborhoods, offering opportunities for family and street photography.
Gibbons Community Park
A small neighborhood park with playground equipment and a clean environment. It's suitable for family photography or casual gatherings.
Campfire Café
Though closed, this site is a historical landmark with a rustic, country vibe, offering architectural interest for photography.
Leslie's Pool Supply
Not recommended for photography due to its commercial nature.