Best Western Hotels in Sacramento: A Guide to Where to Stay
Sacramento is California's capital and a convenient base for exploring the Central Valley, the Sierra foothills, and the wine country of the Delta and Amador regions. It's also a practical stopover between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. This guide covers how to choose a neighborhood, when to visit, and how to get the best direct rate when booking a Best Western hotel in the area.
About Sacramento
Sacramento sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers, with a compact downtown centered on the California State Capitol, Old Sacramento's historic waterfront district, and the Sacramento River waterfront trails.
The city has a distinct dry, hot summer and mild, wet winter climate. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for walking downtown or cycling along the American River Parkway.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is roughly a 20-minute drive from downtown, connected by rental car shuttles, rideshare, and a regional bus service. Traffic is generally lighter than in the Bay Area, making a car a practical option for reaching hotels outside the immediate downtown core.
Beyond downtown, the city spreads into distinct pockets: Midtown and East Sacramento for restaurants and nightlife, the Arden-Arcade and Point West areas near shopping and business parks, and outlying corridors along Highway 50 and Interstate 80 that suit travelers driving in from the Bay Area or heading toward Tahoe.
Planning Your Stay
Decide first whether your trip is centered on downtown sightseeing (the Capitol, Old Sacramento, the Crocker Art Museum) or on business and access to the freeway network. Downtown and Midtown areas favor walkers; areas near the airport or along the interstates favor drivers.
Two to three nights is typically enough to cover the historic core, a river walk, and a day trip to nearby wine regions or the Sierra foothills. Add a day if you plan to combine Sacramento with a Tahoe or Napa detour.
Summer temperatures regularly climb into the 90s Fahrenheit, so if you're sensitive to heat, aim for spring or fall. Winter is mild but brings periodic rain, which is worth checking before planning outdoor activities like river trails or bike paths.
If your visit coincides with the California State Fair or a major event at the Golden 1 Center, book well in advance, as availability across the city tightens quickly.
How to Book the Best Rate
Book directly through bestwestern.online rather than a third-party site. Direct booking avoids added markup fees and gives you a clearer view of the hotel's actual cancellation and modification terms.
Rates fluctuate with demand, so it's worth checking the site close to your travel dates as well as several weeks out — prices can move in either direction depending on events and season.
No account or loyalty sign-up is required to book direct, which simplifies the process if you're booking last-minute or comparing a few dates side by side.
If you have flexible dates, compare a weekday stay against a weekend one; downtown Sacramento sees different demand patterns depending on whether the Legislature is in session or a convention is underway.