Mom's California Visit, Part 5: Capitol Park Tour and SMF

On Sunday, June 28 my mom and I had our third (and final) luxurious breakfast at Willow. I highly recommend a visit if you're in Sacramento. We checked out of The Exchange and headed to the Capitol. You may be wondering why, since we had toured the Capitol just two days earlier and the building is closed on weekends. We were there for the free Capitol Park guided tour. 

  

The tour explores the 40-acre park, focusing on the history, flora and fauna, and memorials and monuments. 

We learned that Capitol Park is home to 14 state and national Champions - this is the largest Valencia orange tree in the US.  

This is the California Native American Monument. It honors the Miwok and Nisenan tribes whose ancestral lands include present-day Sacramento. The central statue is circled by nine seals that show California native plants and animals, representing the connection between the natural world and the original inhabitants. 

This is the California Firefighters Memorial. It remembers the more than 900 firefighters who have died in the line of duty since California became a state. 

There are interesting and unique plants from all around the world thriving in Capitol Park. 

There are over 1000 trees representing hundreds of species in Capitol Park. You can find a complete list on page 16 of the Tree Booklet. 

The Native Plant Garden includes cacti and other plants from across California. 

This is the World Peace Rose Garden. 

At the base of many of the roses, you'll find writings that promote peace. 

This is the Vietnam War Memorial. 

This is the Veterans Memorial. 

There is a lot more to see and enjoy in Capitol Park. Definitely plan for enough time to enjoy the beauty and the history of this unique place. 

After our time at Capitol Park, Mom and I headed to the Sacramento airport for her return home. Normally, I wouldn't have much to say about taking someone to the airport, but I did something I've never done before. I requested, and received, an airport gate pass. 

Before September 11, 2001 anyone could accompany a passenger to the gate. It was normal and expected that a non-ticketed person would see their loved ones off at the gate, and be waiting at the gate when they arrived back home. I suspect that will never be universal again, but there are circumstances where someone who is not traveling can accompany a child, a senior, or someone with a disability who might need a little extra help. To get a gate pass, I spoke with the agent at the Southwest ticket desk, who took my ID and returned five minutes later with my pass. It couldn't have been easier. 

There are an increasing number of airports that allow non-ticked visitors to get a gate pass. Take SFO, for example. You can apply for a Gate Explorer pass not only to accompany loved ones, but to go shopping, eat at airport restaurants, visit the airport museum, or to spend time at the SkyTerrace watching planes take off and land. I'm really glad for this option.

Mom's California Visit, Part 4: Sacramento Zoo, Old Sacramento, Sacramento History Museum

On Saturday, June 27, Mom and I started our morning with brunch at Willow, the hotel restaurant. I ordered the lemon ricotta pancake, not expecting that it would be the size of a birthday cake instead of a pancake. It was incredible. I had to get a box to save half of it, despite giving Mom a generous slice to try. Mom's french toast was fantastic, too. 

Our first destination was the Sacramento Zoo. I've been there many times, most recently with Trevor in 2024. This was Mom's first visit. 

  

  

I love capybaras. The Sac Zoo has four babies and they're as cute as can be. 

I was surprised to see alligators in the area that formerly house flamingos. It turns out that they moved the flamingos due to the risk of them contracting avian flu from wild birds. 

Red pandas on the left, Himalayan monals on the right. Fun fact: The animators from the Pixar move "Up" used these very birds at the Sacramento Zoo as inspiration when designing the character of Kevin. 

  

Okapis. 

We had a wonderful time at the Sacramento Zoo. Next stop: Old Sacramento! This pedestrian path takes you under I-5 and pops right out in the heart of Old Sac. 

Old Sacramento sits on the bank of the American River and is packed with shops, restaurants, and attractions. There are 85 historic buildings, 32 of which are original. It's a fun place to visit. 

Mom has been to Old Sacramento before (decades ago) and I've been there at least 50 times, but I planned an activity that neither of us had done: the Underground Tour. We invited Jonna to join us; she's never taken the tour either. I'm happy to report that it was fantastic! The tour is given by a costumed guide playing a real-life character from the Gold Rush era in Sacramento. Our guide was James L. L. F. Warren, who became known as The Father of California Agriculture. 

Warren was a botanist from Boston who came to Sacramento and opened The New England Seed Store. He sold trees, seeds, and agricultural tools to miners. His store became a hub for agricultural knowledge and innovation. The store also hosted the first California State Fair. Among his many other contributions, Warren introduced camellias to Sacramento, now known as the Camellia Capital of the World. 

Approximately 2/3 of the Underground Tour takes place underground. It's really cool. Unfortunately, pictures are not allowed underground, but you can find videos on the Sacramento History Museum Facebook page. 

  

The tour includes admission to the Sacramento History Museum, where the tour starts and ends. It's packed with interesting information about the history of our capital city. 

After we saw everything at the Sacramento History Museum, we had a delicious dinner at Bear & Crown. 

After a very fun and full day, we headed back to The Exchange. We had one final activity the next day before Mom flew home. I'll tell you about that tomorrow.