California State Capitol Building 🏛️

The California State Capitol is a must-visit when you’re in Sacramento! Besides exploring Old Sacramento, the Capitol building is absolutely worth a trip. Along with San Francisco’s City Hall, it stands as one of California’s most impressive government structures—rich in history and artistic beauty. Built between 1860 and 1874, it’s now over 160 years old. An underground expansion was added in 1906, and a third expansion took place after World War II. It’s said to withstand magnitude 7 earthquakes! Surprisingly, there are no guards stationed outside—anyone can enter. On the first floor, a marble statue carved by Italian artists stands under a majestic Roman-style dome. The second floor houses the Governor’s Office—a three-room suite where all past governors have worked. A bronze bear 🐻, symbolizing California, stands at the entrance, guarded by a police officer 👮. You might even run into the governor here! The third floor contains the legislative chambers. Here, 40 state senators and 80 assembly members create laws for California. The Assembly Chamber still uses the same desks from 1870! Lawmakers debate using microphones installed on these desks. During votes, they press buttons to show support or opposition, and results are displayed on electronic screens. Public galleries allow citizens to observe sessions. 📍 Address: 1315 10th St, Sacramento, CA 95814 ⏰ Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 5 PM 🎫 Ticket: Free (security check required). Guided tours are available hourly. 🅿️ Parking: Street parking nearby for $2/hour ✅ Dome Hall: Look up—the view is breathtaking! Sunlight pours through the glass ceiling—perfect for wide-angle shots. ✅ Assembly Chamber: Dark wood desks + blue carpet give classic American political drama vibes. Sit at a representative’s desk for a serious photo. ✅ Palm-Lined Garden Path: Symmetrical view with classical architecture and California palms—great for photos. ▪️ Bullet marks on the dome remain from militia conflicts in the 1850s. ▪️ Don’t miss the portrait gallery of former governors, including Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger! #ClassicalArchitecture #CaliforniaCapitol #Sacramento #ArchitectureLovers #HistoricBuilding #CaliforniaTravel #USA #TravelUSA #WestCoastTravel