Guide to Visiting The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento
The Crocker Museum is one of the premier art museums on the west coast and I’m excited about sharing our experience with everyone. The museum is actually historic, and the longest continuously running museum west of the Mississippi, opened since 1885! The art collection is an exciting fusion of historic and contemporary artwork that will certainly please the art aficionados that come to visit the museum. The collections include original Victorian Italianate mansion as well as the modern Teel Family Pavilion, which expanded the museums space. The museum holds one of the finest collections of Californian art, which dates back from the Gold Rush era to more contemporary pieces of artwork.
You can also find great works by European master artists such as Rembrandt, Pietro da Cortona, and Francisco de Zurbaran. The museum also has an impressive ceramics section, with collections hailing from Asia, the Americas and Africa. The museum isn’t stopping there though, the collection offered is growing and featuring now more than ever before, thought provoking pieces of modern and contemporary art. The museum is easy to miss, as it is hidden behind many trees and only a small easy to miss road leads to it, so you’ll have to be alert as you approach O street in downtown Sacramento. The address is 216 O Street in downtown Sacramento, California.
The Crocker Art Museum Cost to Enter
The admission fee varies by age, and additional factors. You can purchase these tickets either online or at the museum’s admission desk on the day of your visit. Also note, parking is abundant, however, the parking is metered, and you’ll have to remember to pay for an adequate amount of time if you plan on staying for multiple hours. I provided a list so you can see the breakdown of cost to enter the Crocker Art Museum:
- Adults- $15
- College Students and seniors- $10
- Youth between the ages of 6 to 17 years old- $8
- Children ages 5 and under enter free
- Members- Free
- Military- Free
A neat feature the museum offers is free admission on the third Sunday of every month with a program called “Pay what you wish” donation.
For those that want to visit more often, and consider themselves a more dedicated art lover, there are ways to get more involved with the museum through membership levels. The membership levels are below, each consists of additional worthwhile perks such as unlimited visits, special previews to new exhibits among other benefits:
- Student or Educator- $50
- Individual- $65
- Family-$85
- Associate- $175
- Contributor- $300
- Benefactor- $600
Best Days and Times to Visit the Crocker Art Museum
Here is a list of best days and times to visit based on when the museum tends to be the most crowded and the least crowded. See times and dates below:
Best Days to Visit the Crocker Art Museum
Wednesdays and Fridays tend to be the least busy days of the week at the Crocker Art Museum. So, if you’re goal is to have a nice quiet day at the museum while enjoying the artwork at a leisurely pace, then Wednesday and Friday and your best options to visit the museum.
If you’re unable to visit the museum on Wednesday or Friday, another interesting option would be to visit the museum on Thursday evening since the Museum closes at 9pm on Thursdays and will have fewer visitors during the hours past 5pm.
If weekends are your absolute only option, then try to arrive by 10am, which is when the Crocker Art Museum opens its doors. This will help beat the mid-day weekend crowd.
Best Times to Visit the Crocker Art Museum
Now that you know what specific days’ work best if your goal is to enjoy artwork with less crowded exhibit spaces, let’s review the best times.
Mornings are no surprise as our best option. Arriving by 10am as the museum opens its doors will help you maximize your peaceful observance of the displayed artwork. Another time slot that’s ideal is between 3pm and 5pm as the crowd begins to thin out.
Finally, as previously mentioned, Thursday evenings are a great option as the museum closes late at 9pm.
The Crocker Art Museum Hours for the Week
- Monday- Closed
- Tuesday- Closed
- Wednesday-10am to 5pm
- Thursday-10am to 9pm
- Friday-10am to 5pm
- Saturday-10am to 5pm
- Sunday-10am to 5pm
The Crocker Art Museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.
Top Exhibits to See at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento
The collections housed at the Crocker Art Museum are diverse and offer something for practically everyone. Act fast and visit as exhibitions and collections often are not ongoing but rather on display for only a few months. You’ll have to plan with semi urgency as exhibits come and go in a matter of months.
Collidoscope De La Torre Retro-perspective
Running from February 9th to May 4th, 2025. This dynamic and unique exhibition of artwork showcases intricate pieces created by the De La Torre brothers. The brothers, famous for their mixed media art, displays art pieces that blend traditional Mexican folk art with contemporary themes.
Reform to Restoration: French Art from Louis XVI from the Horvitz Collection
Running from June 1st to September 14th. This exhibition explores the evolution of French artwork during an important transformative period, featuring collections that reflect a changing taste and appeal from rococo to classicism.
Frames of Mind: The Ramer Photography Collection
On display until May 4th, 2025. This exhibition features an extensive collection of photographic work, it helps capture diverse moments and perspectives from various artists. It primarily focuses on driving the connection we have as humans with shared experiences across different cultures, regions and time periods.
The David Cerny: Rebellion
The David Cerny: Rebellion exhibition was presented in Sacramento during our visit. We thoroughly enjoyed it. He’s well known for his provocative sculptures that push the boundaries of creativity, challenging authority and conventional norms. One of his signature marks is using odd and out of the box materials not regularly used that keeps the observer surprised and engaged. My favorite piece from his collection are Red Skull and the lit-up Albert Einstein. His work is dynamic and confrontational, but that’s sometimes what is needed to push the limits and present thought-provoking work.
Raul Gonzo: Color Madness
Raul Gonzo’s exhibit was rich in color, maybe the strongest color I’ve seen from an art exhibit. His use of color is extreme, saturated, bold and unapologetic, our family enjoyed it. They especially loved the immersive pieces where we got to participate, all while taking fun photos of our experience. Visually the work grabs you and doesn’t let go, you want to keep staring and find more of his work from the exhibit. I highly recommend the exhibit if it finds its way back to Sacramento for a return visit in the future.
Tips for Parents with Kids visiting the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento
Some tips for those that have kids. The museum has a large open spaced courtyard that’s closed in and safe for them to let loose and freely play about. I’m sure they’ll need to stretch their legs after walking through a lot of quiet zones of the museum. Food and beverages purchased at the cafe can be enjoyed in the courtyard. The family can relax for a bit, in peace without worrying about one of the kids breaking some priceless artwork on accident, yikes!
The museum also offers a nice food court. The food provided by Majka at the Crocker, they have delicious morning coffee and pastries as well as lunch items such as pizza, sandwiches, salads and daily specials. The menu also offers freshly bakes breads, and all can be enjoyed either in the outdoor courtyard or the Friedman Court. These options will be important if you didn’t have a solid breakfast as the museum does not allow food items, with the exception of water.
Additional Food Options Near the Crocker Art Museum
After immersing yourself in the impressive collections at the Crocker Art Museum, head over to Midtown Sacramento for a well-deserved lunch. If you’re in the mood for an upscale yet cozy dining experience, The Firehouse in Old Sacramento offers a refined menu featuring steak, seafood, and an excellent wine selection, all within a beautifully restored 19th-century firehouse. For something more casual but equally delicious, Polanco Cantina in DOCO serves up vibrant Mexican cuisine, from street-style tacos to refreshing margaritas, perfect for refueling before exploring more of the city. Whether you’re craving elegance or bold flavors, Midtown has the perfect spot to satisfy your post-museum appetite.
In Conclusion
A visit to the Crocker Art Museum is a must for anyone looking to experience the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Sacramento. With its diverse collection, engaging exhibitions, and stunning blend of historic and modern architecture, the museum offers something for every art lover. Whether you spend hours exploring the galleries, participate in a workshop, or simply admire the beauty of the space, the Crocker provides an inspiring and memorable experience. After your visit, take advantage of Sacramento’s vibrant dining scene or stroll along the riverfront to round out your day. No matter how you choose to explore, the Crocker Art Museum is a true gem that highlights the city’s artistic spirit and historical charm.
