Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings Travel Guide: Golden 1 Center

How to Get There

• Flying In: You will fly into Sacramento International Airport (SMF). It is an incredibly easy, navigable airport located just 15 minutes north of downtown. It is heavily serviced by major domestic carriers like Southwest, Delta, and American Airlines.

• Airport Transit: Because the airport is so close to the city center, taking a quick Uber or Lyft directly to your downtown hotel is highly efficient and inexpensive. Alternatively, you can take the SacRT Route 142 (Airport Express) bus directly into downtown. It is also about a 1.5 hour drive from San Francisco depending on traffic for those wanting to add on to a trip nearby.

Where to Stay

Golden 1 Center is widely considered one of the most perfectly integrated downtown arenas in the country. It serves as the anchor for DOCO (Downtown Commons), a massive open-air entertainment and shopping district. Staying in or immediately adjacent to DOCO provides an unmatched, highly walkable experience.

Budget/Mid-Range Options

• Hyatt Centric Downtown Sacramento: Located just steps off the DOCO plaza, this modern hotel perfectly blends historic architecture with contemporary design. It puts you incredibly close to the arena entrances and typically requires 15,000 to 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

• The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection: Situated just a few blocks away near the State Capitol, this beautifully historic, politically themed boutique hotel offers fantastic charm and the excellent Grange Restaurant & Bar. Redemptions usually range from 30,000 to 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Higher-End Options

• Kimpton Sawyer Hotel: You literally cannot get a better location. This stunning luxury boutique hotel sits directly in the DOCO plaza, overlooking the arena itself. It features a fantastic rooftop pool deck and lounge (Revival) where Kings fans gather before and after games. Expect redemptions around 40,000 to 60,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.

• Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade: Located right on the Sacramento River next to the iconic Tower Bridge, this spacious all-suite property offers a free made-to-order breakfast. It is a quick walk through the pedestrian tunnel straight into DOCO. Redemptions generally require 40,000 to 50,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Nearby Activities

• California State Capitol Museum: Take a walk through the stunning Capitol Park grounds and tour the historic California State Capitol building, located just a few blocks east of the arena.

• Old Sacramento Waterfront: Walk a few blocks west from DOCO to reach this historic district sitting right on the river. It features wooden sidewalks, Gold Rush-era architecture, and great candy shops and museums.

Pregame Food and Drink

• Sauced BBQ & Spirits: Located directly in the DOCO plaza, this massive barbecue joint features a fantastic tap list, huge platters of ribs and brisket, and an incredibly lively atmosphere perfectly positioned just steps from the security gates.

• Punch Bowl Social: Also situated right inside DOCO, this massive entertainment complex features a great bar, bowling, vintage arcade games, and plenty of space for a large group to grab a drink before the game.

• Yard House: If you want an extensive draft beer list and a crowd of passionate fans, this location in DOCO gets completely packed with purple Kings jerseys before every tip-off.

Getting to the Event

• Walking: If you secure a hotel in DOCO or the immediate downtown footprint, walking is the absolute best way to experience a Kings game. The plaza is highly energized, safe, and completely closed off to vehicle traffic.

• SacRT Light Rail: The Sacramento Regional Transit light rail lines (Blue and Gold) drop you off just one block away at the 8th & K Station or the 7th & Capitol Station.

• Driving: Driving directly into DOCO is heavily congested on game days. If you choose to drive, you must pre-purchase a parking pass using the SacPark system to secure a spot in the DOCO West or East garages, or one of the nearby city lots.

Where to Sit at Golden 1 Center

• The Kings Bench: The home team sits in front of Section 107.

• Away Fans: If you are traveling to support the visiting team, you want to target Section 109, which sits directly behind the visitor's bench.

• The Premium Club Experience: Golden 1 Center features incredible VIP spaces. The Lexus Lounge and Rush Courtside options provide event-level, all-inclusive luxury. If you want lower-bowl sideline seats with exclusive access, the Club Level (Sections 106-110 and 119-121) offers fantastic culinary options and high-end bars.

• The Sweet Spot: To get great lower-bowl energy without paying premium club prices, look at the corner sections, specifically Sections 105, 111, 118, or 122.

• The Budget Seats: The 200-level provides the most affordable tickets. Golden 1 Center was designed with incredibly steep upper-deck rake, meaning you feel physically closer to the court than in older arenas. For the best center-court views, aim for the lower rows of Sections 204-206 or 219-221.