WWWW #384 - L.A. to Sacramento Ancient Auto Race (1927)

[pnegyesi]

San Francisco?

[Otto Puzzell]

This picture was not taken in San Francisco

[pnegyesi]

Los Angeles?

[Otto Puzzell]

This picture was not taken in Los Angeles

[pnegyesi]

San Diego?

[Otto Puzzell]

No

[pnegyesi]

Hmm, Oakland?

[Tom_I]

Or the State capital?

Having done a brief virtual tour courtesy of Google Maps, I think this could well be where the photo was taken, judging by the statues, and pattern of the stonework. It's on Capitol Mall, Sacramento, and up until 1987 was just called Office Building No. 1, though it's now called the Jesse M. Unruh Building.

[pnegyesi]

Tom_I - I am so sorry (and grateful). You should have continued your research

View of six cars parked in front of the State Library building; fourteen men and one woman standing next to the autos. Giant man in center dressed as a pirate, 6 feet 9 1/2 inches tall. Cars are Sacramento entries for a race from Los Angeles to the State Fair. Make and year of each car listed on back of photo.
Photo was taken in 1927. Autos include 1904 Ford, 1905 Buick, 1905 Cadillac, 1907 Franklin, 1904 Reo, 1901 Oldsmobile; man dressed as pirate in center identified as George Messer on back of photo.

[Tom_I]

Oh well, that's the game, isn't it? Glad to have been of assistance.

The only thing I'd say is that I don't think it is the State Library building. That is situated opposite the State Office Building No. 1, and looks exactly the same, but it faces north, so would never have the light on the front of it like the puzzle picture shows.

[Otto Puzzell]

Tom_I - I am so sorry (and grateful). You should have continued your research

View of six cars parked in front of the State Library building; fourteen men and one woman standing next to the autos. Giant man in center dressed as a pirate, 6 feet 9 1/2 inches tall. Cars are Sacramento entries for a race from Los Angeles to the State Fair. Make and year of each car listed on back of photo.
Photo was taken in 1927. Autos include 1904 Ford, 1905 Buick, 1905 Cadillac, 1907 Franklin, 1904 Reo, 1901 Oldsmobile; man dressed as pirate in center identified as George Messer on back of photo.

pnegyesi: I swapped the embedded hotlink of the photo you posted with an uploaded example.

That's a pretty complete answer - nice teamwork, guys