Visiting the Capitol
Museum Hours
The Capitol is open in limited capacity. The Capitol is CLOSED on weekends and most holidays.
Please call the Capitol Tour Office at 916-324-0333 with any questions.
Capitol Park remains open daily.
What to Expect
- Admission to the Capitol is free of charge and open to the public!
- Be sure to stop by Capitol Books & Gifts, located inside the Capitol on the lower level.
- Photography at the State Capitol Museum is welcome, but flash is not allowed. Selfie sticks, tripods, and video cameras are best left at home.
- Layered clothing is advised as seasonal temperatures fluctuate.
- Guests of all ages may visit the Capitol! Children under the age of 18 are welcome with an accompanying adult.
- Visit our knowledgeable guides at the first-floor rotunda information desk for more information on tours and events at the State Capitol Museum.
Directions and Parking
The Capitol is located at 1315 10th Street Sacramento, CA 95814. Get Directions
The State Capitol Museum does not have public parking. Visitors are encouraged to make use of public transit, bike, or walk whenever possible. The Capitol is within walking distance of many hotels and restaurants.
Limited metered parking is available on all sides of the Capitol building, with parking directly in front of the Capitol on 10th Street between L and N Streets reserved for bus use. Payment is required for most street parking and parking garages. The nearest parking garage is the City of Sacramento – Capitol Garage on 10th and L Streets.
Detailed parking information and rates can be found at the City of Sacramento’s website.
Accessibility
The State Capitol Museum has many accommodations for persons with disabilities so that everyone may experience an enjoyable trip to the museum.
- Ramps are located at the North (L Street) and South (N Street) entrances, with wheelchair accessible sidewalks leading to the Capitol. Wheelchairs can be checked out for use in the building. To check out a wheelchair, visit the information desk in the first-floor rotunda. A driver’s license will be held until the wheelchair is returned.
- Assistive listening devices are available for use during guided tours. Visit the information desk in the first-floor rotunda to check out a device.
- Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located on the first floor on either side of the rotunda.
- Elevators are located on either side of the rotunda.
Museum Guidelines
The State Capitol Museum building and grounds are under the jurisdiction of California Highway Patrol (CHP). Visitors entering the Capitol building are subject to security control measures and checks which include, but are not limited to:
- Passing through a metal detector
- X-ray and visual examination of all bags, backpacks, purses, and packages
The following prohibited items apply to all public visitors, including those on staff-led and member-led tours:
Electronic Devices
While phones, cameras, and video recorders are welcome in the Capitol, flash photography and equipment stands (e.g., tripods) are not allowed. Medical devices are permitted.
Personal Prohibitions
Only trained Service Animals are allowed inside the Capitol building. Drugs, narcotics, and non-aerosol sprays are prohibited unless medically prescribed. Strollers are permitted but may not enter the Assembly or Senate Chamber galleries.
Unsafe Items
The following items are NOT allowed: guns, toy guns, ammunition, fireworks, knives, mace and pepper spray, razors and box cutters, pointed objects (excluding pens and pencils) or any other sort of weaponized item. Bags are not to exceed lengths of 14 inches wide x 13 inches high x 4 inches deep.
Food and Beverages
Outside food and beverages are permitted in the building, but some designated areas may be off limits.
Capitol Books and Gifts
Visit the museum store, open Monday through Friday 9:30AM – 4:30PM in the lower level of the Capitol, for a curated selection of gifts and souvenirs inspired by the California State Capitol and California culture. From commemorative mugs and magnets to stickers and snow globes, the unique treasures at Capitol Books & Gifts make for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
Events and Gathering Permits
Events on the Capitol grounds, such as weddings, large gatherings, rallies, and special events, require a permit. The Department of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is responsible for issuing the permits. There is no cost for obtaining a permit and permits will be issued on a first come, first serve basis. The CHP does not provide any equipment for the events. Processing permits generally takes three to five business days but may take up to 10 business days. Click on the link below to submit an application, check the permit calendar, view planned events, see a map of the Capitol grounds, or see the rules of the State Capitol grounds.