Major changes are coming to Old Sacramento this summer, including a ban on vehicle traffic on weekends after 10 p.m. and a popular German beer garden that’s located on the Embarcadero.
Following years of violence and late-night disturbances, cars are now restricted from entering Old Sacramento after 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum, who represents the district, told Insight host Vicki Gonzalez that it’s just a pilot, with the expectation that it will become permanent.
“It’s unfortunate the timing that this immediately follows some unfortunate violence,” Pluckebaum said. “We had started this discussion a long time ago, and it’s been evolving over the years about how to better provide for both pedestrian experience of the space and vehicular access to the space.”
Scott Manley, who owns the Last Stop Saloon in Old Sacramento, told CapRadio the first weekend of enforcement went well, but added it will affect his employees and customers.
“There’s always parking issues in Old Sac, especially when you work down here,” Manley said. “So it definitely affects our staff and some regulars. But, you know, I think people are adapting.”
The Sacramento Police Department has not said how long the restrictions will remain in place.
Der Biergarten Waterfront
Sean Derfield is the owner of Der Biergarten with his wife and son. He said when he retires he’ll pass the mantle to his son to take over the business.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
Besides the vehicle ban that goes into effect on weekends, visitors to Old Sacramento might recognize a familiar business — Der Biergarten, which operates a German beer garden in Midtown, is opening a second location along the waterfront.
Der Biergarten Waterfront is located in the historic Steamers Building at 1108 Front Street and will have a grand opening Friday, August 7, 2026.
Local business owner Sean Derfield, who also owns Sean Finnegan’s Pub in Old Sacramento with his wife, Erika, and son Jarrett, said the concept of the beer garden was influenced by Germany and his experiences in the country.
“I went out with my cousins in Germany, and we went to a couple beer gardens,” Derfield said. [Der Biergarten] reminds me of Germany and what it’s supposed to be — it’s not supposed to be music, it’s not supposed to be TVs to distract you — you’re there to have a conversation with friends, family, and you also meet people.”
The beer garden will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and won’t feature as much food as the midtown location because the kitchen isn’t set up just yet, according to Derfield.
“We’re just not a full menu like [Midtown]; we added things over the years there, and we plan to do that here,” he said. “The difference, though, mainly is the view. Brew with a view.”
Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty will be a part of the grand opening ceremony, and instead of cutting a ribbon, they’ll be doing a keg tapping. The first 100 guests will receive a free pretzel.
Death by Natural Causes
A skeleton in a tub showcasing how many people drown in a bathtub at the Death by Natural Causes exhibit located in The Paperworks building in Old Sacramento.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
The newly renamed “Paperworks” building is a space dedicated to hands-on experiences, culture and art. Located 1115 Front Street, Paperworks houses a makerspace, gift shops, clothing stores, and a traveling exhibit called “Death by Natural Causes.”
The Houston Museum of Natural Science created Death by Natural Causes and partnered with Stage Nine Entertainment for their first ever exhibit in the Paperworks building.
The exhibit showcases the many dangers in the world and how people have or can meet their unfortunate end.
“It’s not about gruesome death,” said Troy Carlson, the owner of The Paperworks building and Stage Nine Entertainment. “It’s about death from our natural world through poisonous plants, minerals, animals, venom, and just about our natural world.”
The exhibit is immersive and has attractions that are hands-on like figuring out how one of the human figures died, what’s more likely to kill you with a selfie stick or getting hit by a meteorite, or will you most likely choke on a hot dog or get heart disease.
There’s a fortune teller within the exhibit that can predict how many years you have left based on a short questionnaire on your lifestyle.
Carlson said his favorite part is the deadly dozen, which are the 12 most deadly animals and insects on the planet. The mosquito is the No. 1 cause of death by an animal or bug.
The Death by Natural Causes exhibit will be on display in The Paperworks building from now until January 3.
Evangeline’s Costume Mansion
Owner of Evangeline’s Costume Mansion Deborah Chaussé cuts the ribbon during the ceremony in Old Sacramento Friday, June 26, 2026. The shop will officially re-open to the public Saturday morning, after a fire last year forced the storefront to close.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
Evangeline’s rose from the ashes and held its grand reopening in June following a year off from fire and smoke damage to its first and second floors.
Owner Deborah Chaussé described the grand reopening as a “happy day.”
“It was just a beautiful day, and we saw so many of our wonderful customers,” Chaussé said. “People are just having a great time, enjoying themselves, and just saying how much they appreciate the unique atmosphere, how they like walking around.”
Chaussé said starting next week, the costume mansion will extend its hours as the business ramps up for Halloween. The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The first floor is still under construction, but visitors are able to check out the costumes on the second and third floors.
The 28-acre Old Sacramento Waterfront is a short walk from the California State Capitol and is an historic landmark district for shopping, dining and exploring.
The neighborhood has more than 50 reconstructed and restored buildings from the 1800s and draws 5 million visitors annually.
Tony Rodriguez contributed reporting in this story.
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