River cruises return to Sacramento

Hornblower Cruises and Events  has opened up a new avenue for event-planners looking for off-site excursion opportunities in Sacramento.

The San Francisco-based company, a fixture in the Bay Area, earlier this year won a 10-year contract to operate scheduled river cruises and charters from the Old Sacramento historic district adjacent to downtown.

Two vessels, one with a full galley and 350-passenger capacity, the other capable of transporting up to 200 guests, are now based in a river-oriented city that was without tour boats for almost a year, since a previous operator declared bankruptcy.

Narrated cruises focused on Sacramento and Gold Rush-era history began in June, while brunch and cocktail cruises started up in August. The vessels travel several miles downstream before turning around and making an upstream loop. A highlight: The city's signature Tower Bridge is raised to let the vessels pass through.

Hornblower's in-house event planners can customizes cruises for any size group. Information: 415.438.8300 or groups-oldsac@hornblower.com.