California's state capital, Sacramento — just 80 miles south of the breezy, self-consciously quaint tourist magnet of San Francisco — hardly seems like a vacation destination.

But here lies history, history, history. Sacramento is a living museum of 19th-century architecture.

Old Sacramento, a 28-acre state park along the riverfront, is said to contain the greatest concentration of historic buildings in California.

Not far away, the Capitol, a splendid 19th-century edifice with elaborate mosaics, has been lovingly restored and can be toured for free.

More than a dozen museums, historic parks and memorials dot the city. They include Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, with a reconstruction of John Sutter's 1839 adobe; the California State Railroad Museum, with 20 locomotives dating as far back as the 1860s; the eclectic Crocker Art Museum; the old Governor's Mansion; and the new California Hall of Fame.

Fans of vintage riverboats shouldn't miss the Delta King, a restored 1920s stern-wheeler that has been converted into a hotel, lounge and restaurant. The King, a twin to the Delta Queen, which recently suspended overnight excursions, is moored along the Sacramento River.

Sacramento has fewer than 500,000 residents, and everything is so close you can see plenty in a short time.

Information: Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.discovergold.org, 800-292-2334.