California State Capitol Tour

The California State Capitol is the seat of the California government, located in Sacramento, the capital of California. The Capitol building serves as both a museum and the state’s working seat of government.  The building houses the chambers of the California State Legislature, made up of the California State Assembly and the California State Senate, along with the office of the Governor of California.  Visitors to the Capitol can at once experience California’s rich history and witness the making of history through the modern lawmaking process.

While the Capitol was still under reconstruction, the Legislature hired and trained both staff and volunteers to interpret the restoration of the Capitol. In the early 1990s, the Legislature contracted with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, also known as California State Parks, to perform these interpretative duties for the Capitol and to manage the museum and exhibits. State Parks absorbed the legislative staff and volunteers, and hired and trained new staff.

The Legislature, with the assistance of the State Parks, worked diligently to recreate the historic rooms to their appearance in the early twentieth century. An intensive research effort began to gather furnishings, artifacts, and artwork, as well as to create interpretive materials and set up ongoing curation for the historic materials and rooms.

Discover the architecture, history, and development of the California State Capitol from its initial formation 150 years ago to the modern day.  

School Tour Grade Levels: Tours of the State Capitol Museum  are designed for students in the  4th grade through High School but all grade levels are welcome 

State Capitol Building Rules 

1. Minors must remain with their adult leader(s) at all times.  

2. Keep voices quiet. There are working offices throughout the building.  

3. Use stairs. Students are not to use the elevators. Physically challenged persons may use elevators.  

4. Stay to the right on stairs and in hallways, going up and down.  

5. Do not leave any items unattended. Please leave unnecessary items on your school or group bus.  

State Senate and Assembly Gallery Rules 

1. Cameras and backpacks are checked in at the gallery door when in session.  

2. Everyone must pass through the metal detector when in session.  

3. Limit your visit to five minutes when others are waiting.  

4. Remain seated. Do not lean over the rail.

Educator Package: Includes educational resources, interactive project ideas, direct experiential opportunities to help better connect the experience with your students and complimentary chaperone ticket. Does not include a student ticket.

Important Info:

All groups arriving at the Capitol will have their personal possessions X-rayed, and the

visitors will go through a metal detector. Please allow sufficient time (5-10 minutes) in additon to the time needed to find parking and meet up. Tour starts promptly at 10 and we will not be able to wait for anyone that is late.

• AGE/GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Tour is geared for 4th grade but all grades are welcome.
• ALLERGY ALERT: Please let us know right away if your student has a food allergy so we can make any necessary arrangements
• CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY: Tickets for field trips will remain on sale until sold out or at the cut off date listed on the event, whichever comes first. Changes to your order can be made only while the field trip is open. Once a field trip closes, we are unable to offer refunds. Issues with orders such as insufficient or incomplete funds withdrawal may be subject to cancellation.
• CHAPERONE POLICY FOR TEACHER-LED FIELD TRIPS: An adult chaperone is required to accompany student(s) on a field trip regardless of the student(s)' age or grade level(s).
• FOOD/DRINK RESTRICTIONS: Food and drinks may not be consumed inside. There are park benches outside.
• MEETING INSTRUCTIONS: Please gather at entrance on the "N" Street side by 12:45. We will be going in together as a group at 12:50 to get checked in. All groups arriving at the Capitol will have their personal possessions X-rayed, and will go through a metal detector. Please allow sufficient time (5-10 minutes) for this process. 
• PARKING INSTRUCTIONS: On-street metered parking is available during regular business hours. Many garages are cash only. The closest parking garage is DGS Parking Garage on 10th and O. They are a cash only garage so if you do end up parking there, make sure to have cash on hand.The museum store does not have the ability to provide for cash back nor change for meters. Please build in ample time for traffic and locating parking.
• SICK POLICY: To ensure the health and safety of all attendees, please do not attend a field trip if you or your student(s) is ill or showing possible signs of illness.
• RELEASE OF LIABILTY: When registering, make sure to read and understand the Release of Liabiliy Policy before submitting your order

If using charter school funds, you will still need to register for the event in order to reserve your spot. Use the coupon code listed below when checking out.

Charter Fund Code: CHARTER