Crocker Art Museum 🇺🇸

As the oldest art museum in the Western United States, Sacramento’s Crocker Art Museum offers an inspiring encounter with historic architecture and vibrant artistic heritage. Founded in 1885, this accredited institution holds one of the country's premier collections of Californian art, spanning from statehood and Gold Rush history up to contemporary creations. You will step into a fascinating blend of old and new as you explore the restored 1874 Italianate mansion and art gallery designed by Seth Babson, seamlessly connected to the sleek Teel Family Pavilion added in 2010.

When you visit, you can wander through diverse permanent collections showcasing European paintings, master drawings, Asian, African, and Oceanic pieces, alongside one of the largest international ceramics collections in the United States. Don't miss early Californian masterpieces by Charles Christian Nahl, Old Master drawings by legendary artists like Albrecht Dürer and François Boucher, and a premier collection of 19th-century Dutch landscapes in the Beekhuis Foundation Gallery. You will also discover rare 17th-century Flemish and Dutch Golden Age still lifes, late 19th-century German works, and pieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

Whether you are admiring historic craftsmanship or contemporary exhibitions, the Crocker offers a rich, unforgettable cultural journey right in Central California.

What to see at Crocker Art Museum

• Gold Rush era Californian art featuring large-scale works by Charles Christian Nahl
• An extensive European collection including Dutch Golden Age still lifes and 19th-century German paintings
• Rare Old Master drawings from renowned artists like Albrecht Dürer, Fra Bartolommeo, and François Boucher
• One of the largest international ceramics collections in the United States
• The historic 1874 Italianate Crocker mansion seamlessly integrated with the modern Teel Family Pavilion

Visiting tips

Take time to explore both the historic Italianate mansion and the modern Teel Family Pavilion expansion to experience how the original heritage space seamlessly links to the expanded galleries.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Crocker Art Museum is easy to reach on Sacramento’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Sacramento travel guide.