California’s state capital spreads across a wide basin where rivers join to lead to the sea. This allows Sacramento to boast a deep-water port complete with its own paddle steamers. From this conveniently placed city it’s easy to hire a car and explore northern California, including San Francisco Bay, Yosemite National Park and even the mountains around Lake Tahoe for day trips. Sacramento itself has a mix of modern and historic architecture, an impressive collection of museums and a reputation for fine live drama, thanks to a broad range of different theatres and acting groups.