governor's mansion

Very good place to visit see the home of former California governors. Up to Mr. Regan. Like the way it is all restored to its original conditions.

So disappointing to find the Governor's Mansion closed for renovation during our entire stay. Guess there is another trip to Sacramento in my future.

Looking forward to going back again when it's open! I asked at an associated museum, and they said it'll be closed for a year if not more (reno started in Jan 2015).

Historical governor's mansion, tours can be arranged for a nominal fee. Walking distance from Old Town, close to shopping (Macy's) and other local attractions like The Christmas Shoppe.

I can see why the Reagans were the last Governors to live here. While elegant, unique and charming, it was all that when it was built in 1906, before electricity, central AC and modern plumbing. Everything else has been added since, but even at that it's still only a 1950's kitchen. Great place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there. Guided tours, complete with fascinating stories, cost $5 each (and it's the only way you're allowed in). Tours leave on the hour, 10-4, and take 45 minutes. It's money and time well spent.

It was a wonderful mansion tour that I would highly recommend if you like looking at and learning about beautiful old mansions. The tour guide was very informative and knowledgeable and it was completely free! You can only see the house if you go on tour, which leave on the hour, every hour during normal business hours.

We arrived in Sacramento Sunday afternoon and checked into our motel with just enough time, we thought, to get the last tour of the Governor's Mansion. It was quite a few blocks from our motel, but since there is only street parking for the mansion, we didn't want to risk not finding a place to park. We were glad we made that decision because there were no empty spots all the way from the motel to the mansion. We arrived breathless but at 10 minutes before the hour. According to the website the tours ran hourly so we figured we were okay. We went inside the gift shop where the tour tickets are sold and there were 2 woman there with badges. No other guests. We asked if we weren't in time for the last tour and the one woman tried to talk us out of going. Saying things like there are 100 stairs (or however many there were), the 1st floor is under construction so you only get to tour the upper floors, there's no air conditioning. We said we still wanted to go. It was the other woman that was the tour guide and we were the only ones on the tour. Most everything she had said was wrong. The first floor WAS under construction, but you were still allowed to peek in from two different places so you could see most of it. There were several stairs, but they didn't come all at once so it wasn't a problem. The whole house may not have been air conditioned but they have air conditioning units in several rooms, so over all the house was not overly hot. The tour was very interesting. It's a house that several different families lived in so the furnishings were from different times. Many of the rooms are just as the families left them. It was fun to hear about a daughter whose mother wouldn't let her choose the wallpaper for her own bedroom, but agreed to let her do what she wanted with her bathroom, and all the other stories about the different families and their members. The Reagans actually only lived there a few months.The tour guide was pleasant and didn't seem to mind giving us the last tour of the day. I'm not sure what the other woman's problem was. We were only in Sacramento 3 days, and the mansion is closed on Monday and Tuesday, so this was our only chance to see it. I'm glad we did! The cost was $5 each - that may be a senior rate. Very worth while.

Really interesting tour of the mansion. The guides were excellent and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend.

It was interesting to see that the house was constructed to avoid flooding with nothing spared on details: parquet flooring, marble fireplaces and door knobs and hinges. In addition to all of the changes and improvements that were made over the years, there are things purchased by the various governors who lived there, e.g., a 1950 TV and window AC units.. Renovation of third floor rooms, including the ballroom, is complete. They're starting major renovations on the other floors which should be completed by Christmas time. Very knowledgeable tour guide, well worth the $5 entry fee.

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so go another day and be there earlier rather than later in the day. Very knowledgeable and friendly guide for a tour seeing the extraordinarily luxurious house built by the original owner who made his money in the hardware trade in the late 1800s. Elaborate fittings everywhere, even door hinges and lighting. A predominance of curves- a curved staircase and curved walls, just to be different. Mementoes of many of the governors who lived there as well. Great care clearly has been taken to make an authentic interpretation of the house, rather than a theme-park experience. The building and the personnel are a credit to the city.

Phone ahead to get the time for the tour. You can only see the mansion if you are on a tour.The guide was well informative.

The house is in desperate need of improvement. The $5 per person fee may not be worth it if you have a large family. The first two floors are decorated, the top floor is completely empty. Governors have not chosen to live here for a very long time.

Loved this place. It covers so many years in California history from the Gold Rush to Jerry Brown's family. He lived here as a kid while his dad was governor. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the visit.

Loved visiting the Governor's Mansion and going back a moment in time. The tour guide that lead the hour long tour was full of helpful information. There was a special needs child in the tour group and our docent was very attentive to her needs. The mansion is grand and stately. I don't understand why Mrs. Reagan did not want to live there! The home is full of character and you can just imagine the events occurring shared by our guide. This is must for anyone interested in California history. The tour only cost $5, which makes it very affordable.

Today, it is used by Gov Jerry Brown to host dinners. In the past, it was lived in by the governor's family. It shows the changes in architecture, along with interior design over the years.