Location: County: Sacramento. Nearest City: Sacramento.
Campsites, facilities: No campsites. Point of interest
to visit while on tour.
Reservations, fees: Adults (13 & over): $3.00;
Children (6-12): $1.50. Special events and Living History Days,
Adults: $6.00; Children: $3.00. Call park for information.
Contact: Phone the park at 1-916-445-4422.
Operating hours, seasons: Daily hours are 10:00 am
- 5:00 pm (10-4 pm on Living History Days and the Trader's Faire)
The Fort is open every day of the year except, Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Years day.
Directions: The park is located in mid-town Sacramento
between K and L Streets and 26th and 28th Streets. Traveling
on I-80, from San Francisco, take business 80/Hwy 50 east. Take
the business 80 exit (north towards Reno) to the N Street turn
off. travel straight on 30th Street then turn left under the
freeway at L Street to the Fort which will be located on your
right. (Bring quarters for the parking meters) Parking is free
on Sundays.
Weather, clothing: Summer and spring are warm; fall
and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
Trip notes: Sutter's Fort was Sacramento's earliest
settlement. John Sutter, a Swiss immigrant, established this
European-style settlement in 1839 when he received a 48,000-acre
land grant in the Sacramento Valley from the Mexican government.
He named his ranch "New Helvetia" - New Switzerland.
It was the first non-Indian settlement in California's Central
Valley. Sutter became famous for his hospitality and for giving
temporary refuge for travelers. In 1847 he sent rescuers to the
aid of the Donner Party, trapped by winter snows of the Sierra
Nevada. The fort became the destination for early immigrants
coming to California. Sutter recreated a flourishing agricultural
empire - only to see it overrun by gold seekers a decade later.
The site has been restored to its appearance in 1847, two years
before the discovery of gold. A self-guided audio tour is available.
Special events are scheduled throughout the year.
© 2001, Miwok Lodge 439, Order of the
Arrow, Santa Clara County Council Inc., BSA
Revision 1.2
