Sacramento: California's Capital City

Have you ever wondered where important decisions are made for the state of California? The answer is Sacramento! Sacramento is the capital city of California. That means it's where the state government works.

What is a Capital City?

A capital city is like the headquarters for a state or country. It's where the main government offices are located. Sacramento became the capital of California in 1854. Before that, other cities like Monterey and San Jose served as the capital.

How the California Government Works

The California government has three main parts, just like the United States government:

• The Governor: The governor is like the president of California. They lead the state and make sure laws are followed. The governor works in the State Capitol building in Sacramento.
• The Legislature: This is like the Congress of California. It's made up of two parts: the Senate and the Assembly. The people in the Legislature make laws for the state. They also meet in the State Capitol.
• The Supreme Court: This is the highest court in California. The judges in the Supreme Court make sure laws are fair and follow the rules of the California Constitution.

Why Sacramento?

Sacramento was chosen as the capital because it was a growing city during the Gold Rush. It was easy to get to by river, which was important for trade and travel. Today, Sacramento is still a busy city and a very important place for California.

Visiting Sacramento

If you ever visit Sacramento, you can see the State Capitol building, learn about California history, and maybe even see the governor at work! It's a great place to learn about how our state is run.