The Hard Rock Cafe Sacramento

The Hard Rock Cafe Sacramento opened on August 22, 1997 and is located in Downtown Plaza at the corner of 7th Street and K Street.  Downtown Plaza is an open-air mall with Macy's Department stores (Men's and Women's stores are in separate stores) and the Century Movie Theaters as the main occupants.  Since K Street is closed to street traffic, you can drive around the mall on J and L Streets.  Within walking distance is Old Sacramento (5 blocks away) with restaurants, small shops and the California State Railroad Museum.

Driving Directions to the Hard Rock Cafe Sacramento

Driving from Sacramento International Airport:  Take I-5 south towards downtown Sacramento.  Exit on J Street and turn right on 7th Street and the Hard Rock Cafe Sacramento will be on the corner of 7th Street and K Street.

Driving from San Francisco:  Take I-80 east towards Sacramento.  After passing Davis, take Bus-80/US-50 toward South Lake Tahoe.  After crossing the Sacramento River, take I-5 north and exit on J Street.  Go straight and turn right on 7th Street and the Hard Rock Cafe Sacramento will be on the corner of 7th Street and K Street.

Note:  If you drive past the airport toward Redding, you went too far north.  If you drive past the Sacramento city limits heading toward Stockton, you went too far south.  If you see the old Tower Bridge, you are very close.

Parking at Downtown Plaza

Public parking for Downtown Plaza is available underneath the mall in a 2-level parking garage.  I recommend entering the garage from J Street at 5th Street, but there is another entrance on L Street.  After entering the garage, park near one of the escalators to bring you to ground level, or park as far east and north as you can.  On the east end of the garage, there are stairs which will bring you up to ground level and you can walk past the 24-Hour Fitness Center to the Hard Rock Cafe.  There is also an escalator to take you up inside the Men's Macy's Department Store but it is closed when the store is closed.

The cost of parking is reasonable compared to San Francisco but is usually free if you make a purchase.  With parking validation (available from HRC Sacramento, Macy's and the Century Movie Theaters), you will receive 2 hour free parking, or 4 hours free if eat at the cafe or go watch a movie.  There is one above ground public parking lot at 7th Street and L Street If you have a very big vehicle too tall to park underground.  Street parking is available and controlled by parking meters depending on when you park.  Last time I checked, street parking was free after 6 pm.  Please carefully read all posted street signs.

Public Transportation to the Hard Rock Cafe Sacramento

The Sacramento Light Rail Train travels down part of K Street and can drop you off very close to the cafe.  The Amtrak Train station is about 5 blocks away.  I'm not sure what bus service is available.  But, parking is so reasonable, just drive.