Golden 1 Center
NBA

Golden 1 Center

Sacramento Kings

500 David J. Stern Walk, Sacramento, CA 95814

A Guide to Golden 1 Center

Opened in 2016 to anchors Sacramento’s vibrant Downtown Commons (DOCO), Golden 1 Center serves as the state-of-the-art home of the Sacramento Kings and a major catalyst for the city’s urban renaissance. The arena is celebrated not only for its passionate, deafening fanbase but also for its award-winning culinary program, which proudly showcases Sacramento’s identity as California's farm-to-fork capital by sourcing its incredible menu from the rich agricultural bounty of the Central Valley.

Getting to the Arena

  • Driving & Parking
    Drivers coming from the north or south should take Interstate 5 and exit east onto J Street to seamlessly access garages on the arena’s west side, while those arriving from Interstate 80 or US Highway 50 should exit via 5th or 16th Street to funnel toward the east-side lots. While the arena lacks a massive, singular surface lot, accommodation is exceptionally handled through a network of official, cashless "SacPark" city structures and the adjacent DOCO garage, providing thousands of spaces accessible via dedicated pedestrian walkways at 5th & J, 7th & K, and 5th & L Streets. Prepaid garage spots reserved via SacPark. Though suburban fans can bypass downtown traffic altogether by utilizing one of Sacramento Regional Transit’s 22 free park-and-ride lots and taking the light rail directly to the arena gates.
  • Public Transit
    Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) light rail is the absolute best way to reach the arena.
    • Light Rail Lines SacRT
      Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) light rail offers seamless event access via three major lines, though arrival and departure stations vary due to downtown's one-way grid system. Gold Line riders should exit at the 8th & K Station just one block from the arena and board their return trains at 7th & Capitol. Blue Line passengers arriving northbound from South Sacramento exit at 9th & K, while southbound riders from North Sacramento exit at 10th & K; post-game, all Blue Line riders return via 7th & Capitol (southbound) or 9th & K (northbound).
    • Bus Routes SacRT
      The Blue and Gold lines connect from across the metro. For fans opting for the bus, SacRT operates several convenient routes directly into the downtown core near the arena. Routes 30 and 38 are ideal for those traveling from East Sacramento or the Midtown grid, dropping passengers off along J Street right next to the venue, while Route 62 brings fans up from South Sacramento. Additionally, out-of-town fans flying directly into Sacramento International Airport (SMF) can utilize Route 142 (Airport Express), a zero-emission bus that runs hourly straight from Terminals A and B into downtown Sacramento, leaving riders just a short walk from the Golden 1 Center gates.
  • Rideshare
    Primary Pickup/Drop-off Point is on 4th Street & J Street, northwest of the arena.

Pregame Festivities

Downtown Sacramento and the adjacent Midtown neighborhood have experienced a dining renaissance, and the DOCO development has added options right at the arena's doorstep.

Bars & Restaurants

  • A restaurant and cocktail bar in downtown Sacramento near the arena offering creative American cuisine and craft cocktails. A polished pregame dinner option.
  • A BBQ restaurant and bar in downtown Sacramento serving slow-smoked meats, craft beer, and whiskey. The brisket and ribs are excellent, and the proximity to the arena makes it a popular pregame stop.
  • A ramen restaurant near the arena serving creative ramen bowls with quality ingredients. The rich, complex broths and fresh noodles are comforting pregame fare.
  • A diner near the arena offering creative comfort food.
  • A farm-to-fork restaurant at the Citizen Hotel near the arena, showcasing Sacramento's identity as California's farm-to-fork capital. Local ingredients, seasonal menus, and craft cocktails.
  • A pizza spot near the arena serving creative pizzas.
  • A sushi restaurant and sports bar near the arena. A unique combination that works for those wanting both quality sushi and game-night atmosphere.
  • A Vietnamese-inspired restaurant near the arena offering pho, banh mi, and other Vietnamese dishes with a creative twist.

Neighborhood Attractions

  • A historic district along the Sacramento River. Wooden sidewalks, Gold Rush-era buildings, and the Sacramento History Museum create a step back in time. The Delta King a restored riverboat is docked here and serves as a hotel and restaurant.
  • The mixed-use development surrounding the arena includes restaurants, bars, a movie theater, retail, and the team store. It's designed to be a year-round gathering place.
  • Located in Old Sacramento, this museum houses one of the finest collections of historic locomotives and railroad equipment in North America. Interactive exhibits tell the story of the transcontinental railroad, built partly with Sacramento as a hub.
  • The state capitol building and its surrounding park. The park features gardens, memorials, and trees from around the world. Free tours of the capitol are available.
  • The distinctive orange lift bridge spanning the Sacramento River. It's Sacramento's most recognizable landmark, particularly beautiful at sunset.

Monuments & Unique Features

  • Championship & Division Banners
    • 1946 NBL & 1951 NBA Championship Banner
      When the franchise was the Rochester Royals.
    • 2023 Pacific Division Championship
  • Retired Numbers
    • #1 Nate "Tiny" Archibald
    • #2 Mitch Richmond
    • #4 Chris Webber
    • #6 The Sixth Man
      Dedicated to the fan base in 1986; a major part of Kings lore.
    • #11 Bobby Davies
    • #12 Maurice Stokes
    • #14 Oscar Robertson
    • #16 Peja Stojakovic
    • #21 Vlade Divac
    • #27 Jack Twyman
    • #44 Sam Lacey
  • Sculptures DOCO
    • Coloring Book #4
      The Jeff Koons Piglet Sculpture: Located prominently at the main entrance in the DOCO plaza. This 18-foot-tall, multi-colored, mirror-polished stainless steel sculpture is the crown jewel of the arena's art collection and serves as the ultimate fan photo-op.
    • The Giant Darts & Hands
      Gale Hart: Located at the 5th and L Street entrance framework. It features 10-foot-tall fiberglass darts, a terrazzo dartboard built into the sidewalk, and two giant bronze hands.
    • The Sound Sculpture
      Bill Fontana: A matrix of 34 small loudspeakers hidden within the planters and living green walls on the north plaza that generates an immersive ambient soundscape reflecting Sacramento's culture.
  • The Royal Chicano Air Force
    (RCAF) Mural: Inside the arena concourse, fans can view a massive, vibrant mural celebrating regional culture and history, designed by members of the legendary Sacramento art collective.
  • "Multitudes" Glass Sculpture
    Bryan Valenzuela: Hanging directly over the southwest escalator atrium, this stunning installation consists of roughly 400 hollow, hand-blown glass spheres winding like Sacramento's intersecting rivers, complete with gold flecks honoring the region's 19th-century Gold Rush history.
  • The Beam
    While not a "monument," the physical laser housing for "The Beam" sits on the arena roof structure. It has quickly become the defining symbol of the modern era, lit after every single win.

Seating & Special Sections

  • Courtside Seats & The Lexus Lounge
    Floor level, surrounding the court (Rows AAA–CCC). The most exclusive tickets in the building. Aside from sitting inches from the hardwood, these tickets grant access to The Lexus Lounge, a ultra-premium, Napa Valley wine-themed sanctuary. Located directly across from the Kings' home locker room, guests can watch the players walk out for pregame warmups. It features a 360-degree bar, a massive glass chandelier, and complimentary, high-end chef-curated banquets.
  • Sideline Club Seats
    Lower Level, Sideline Sections 106–108 and 119–121 (Rows AA–GG).
    • Assembly Lounges by Crown Royal
      A Sonoma-inspired lounge located on the east side, featuring indoor fire pits and communal wood tables.
    • Rush Lounges by Sire Spirits
      A sophisticated lounge on the west side mirroring the same high-end atmosphere and farm-to-fork culinary spreads.
  • The Lofts & Bridge Lofts
    Tucked cleanly between the 100 and 200 levels in the premium tier: Golden 1 Center was one of the first arenas globally to debut this specific layout. Scaled for smaller, intimate groups of 8 to 10 guests, each Loft features four plush leather stadium seats facing the bowl with four high-top bar stools situated directly behind them. It bridges the gap between a private box and an open lounge, complete with customizable farm-to-fork catering, private restrooms, and a dedicated VIP entrance.
  • Luxury Suites & Party Suites
    The main suite level encircling the lower bowl: Designed for larger groups, standard Luxury Suites accommodate 17 to 32 guests, while expansive Party Suites can host up to 54. They feature full theater-style outdoor seating, private interior dining tables, bar seating, 65-inch monitors, and full dedicated concierge service. All suite tickets include premium VIP parking in the first two levels of the West Premium Garage right off L Street.
  • Plaza Boxes & The Club by Red Hawk Casino
    Elevated mini-boxes overlooking the lower bowl: Semi-private premium boxes that comfortably fit 6 to 16 guests. They provide the perks of a luxury suite including all-inclusive food and beverage packages and premium parking but maintain an open-air, high-energy connection to the arena's ambient crowd noise.
  • Sierra Nevada / Michelob Ultra Grand Atrium
    Upper Level, Top of the 200 Level: An incredible, open-concept standing-room-only (SRO) zone open to anyone with an upper-level ticket. This deck sits directly beneath the arena's massive, iconic bi-fold glass doors, allowing cool Delta breezes to flow into the upper concourse during early-autumn or spring games. It's the social hub for casual fans looking to grab a craft beer and socialize without being anchored to a single seat.

Concessions

  • Signature Items
    Sacramento's farm-to-fork identity shines. Locally sourced burgers, seasonal salads, artisanal tacos, and creative dishes rotate through the arena. The food program has won multiple "Best Arena Food" awards nationally.
  • Plaza Level (100 Level)
    • Selland’s Market-Café
      Section 106: A beloved Sacramento family-owned institution bringing high-quality, handcrafted market café items to the arena bowl.
    • Big Cheese Dog House
      Section 108: Upscale twist on stadium comfort food featuring fresh-baked artisan buns and premium links.
    • Star Ginger
      Section 112: Created by renowned Sacramento Chef Mai Pham, this stand delivers vibrant, authentic Southeast Asian flavors.
    • Café Bernardo
      Section 115: Part of the iconic local Paragary Group, delivering a European-bistro style dining experience anchored by high-end local meats.
    • Centro Cocina Mexicana
      Section 101 / El Jefe Section 112: Street-style regional Mexican cuisine bringing bold, scratch-made local flavors
    • Centro Cocina Mexicana
      Section 101 / El Jefe Section 112: Street-style regional Mexican cuisine bringing bold, scratch-made local flavors.
    • Porchetta House
      Section 121: An arena-exclusive concept built around premium, rotisserie-carved meats.
  • Bridge Level 200
    • LowBrau
      Section 201: Midtown Sacramento's premier modern German bierhalle brings its famous sausages and artisanal accompaniences upstairs.
    • Lil' Cheese Dog House
      Section 206: The upper-deck counterpart to the lower level's Big Cheese, focusing on locally sourced ingredients for quick-service favorites.
    • Petra Greek
      Section 210: Authentic, fast-casual Mediterranean fare utilizing locally sourced Northern California lamb and poultry.
    • Sweet Bird
      Section 219: The ultimate stop for comfort-food cravings and sweet tooth satisfaction.
    • Smokehouse BBQ
      Section 222: A concept entirely engineered by the Golden 1 Center culinary team based directly on local fan feedback.

Arena Information

Capacity
17,608
Avg Attendance
16,117
Opened
2016
Last Renovated
2016
Architect
AECOM
Construction Cost
$558 million

Notable Events

  • The Farm-to-Fork Arena: Golden 1 Center's food program sources heavily from Sacramento's agricultural region. The Central Valley produces more food than any other region in the country. The result is an arena food program that has won national awards and is consistently ranked the best in the NBA.
  • Saving the Kings: The Sacramento community rallied multiple times to keep the Kings from relocating to Anaheim, Virginia Beach, Seattle, and other cities. The arena's construction was the final victory in a decades-long fight to keep the franchise.

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