Animals
Many of the fall seasonal outings have petting zoos, pony rides, or other animal exhibits as well.
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Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary
This small animal sanctuary has a heavy emphasis on native species to california, such as wolves/hybrids, birds, bears, and deer. Peacocks that run loose in the zoo are a highlight. There are restrooms and a snack bar at the entrance to the zoo and a train ride nearby for children and parents. Photo by J. Brown |
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Nimbus Fish Hatchery
Great place for toddlers to feed fish or explore the visitors center. No admission fee. Fish food can be purchased from a vending machine that only takes nickels, bring your own container (eg: ziplock or paper cup). One exit west of Folsom Blvd off Hwy 50. Exit Hazel Ave heading north/right. Left at Gold Country Blvd, then right into parking lot. Photo by Ginny W. |
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Hagen Community Park
A 75 acre park, which, aside from playground(s), also offers other features such as a petting barn (open in summer only), miniature steam train ride (first weekend of each month), community center, and aquatic center. A parking fee is required in peak season. Off Zinfandel Dr. Storytime in the Barn Review Park Review Photo by Kids Busy Book |
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Sacramento Zoo
3930 W Land Park Dr, Sacramento There are restrooms and snack bars at the zoo, picnic are also permitted. This zoo has giraffes and other larger animals (no elephants though) not found at the Folsom zoo, and is larger and nice and flat (no steep hills). You can even feed the giraffes for a small fee. Also has other attractions like a carousel and wheeled train ride in addition to the animals. Photo by J. Brown |
Amusement Centers
Sacramento
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3930 W Land Park Dr, Sacramento In William Land Park, across from the Sacramento Zoo is a fairy-tale themed park for kids, with metal twirly slides, the little engine that could, Cinderella’s carriage, McGregor’s barn, and animals like the three little pigs and Little Bo Peep’s sheep. Photo by J. Brown |
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Funderland Amusement Park
A small scale amusement park that has 9 child size rides, of which 7 can be ridden even by 2 year olds. Rides such as spinning tea cups, small roller coaster, train ride, carousel. Near Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town in William Land Park. Photo by Isaac C. |
Miniature Golf
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Golfland/Sunsplash
Miniature golf (outdoor), waterslides/waterpark, Indoor arcade and lazer tag. It can get very in the summer with little shade. Best to come early in the day in warm weather. Photo by Phil Hawksworth |
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Scandia Family Fun Center
5070 Hillsdale Blvd, Sacramento Miniature Golf, Race Cars, Bumper Boats, Batting Cages, Snack Bar and an Arcade. Photo by Jannis S. |
See also: indoor mini-golf
Kid’s Train Rides
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50 Natoma St, Folsom Behind the Folsom zoo, is a depot for this miniature steam train ride. A 3/4 mile (10 min) ride will take you on a figure 8 shaped ride past the library, to behind the zoo and back. Hours and days open vary seasonally. Special holiday lights rides are usually available at night in in December. Photo by J. Brown |
Hagen Community Park (Rancho Cordova) First weekend of each month. Miniature steam train.
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The Fountains at Roseville Roseville Parkway & Galleria Boulevard, Roseville Wheeled train rides are available from 11-2 and 3-6 for $2 year round, unless you come on Tuesdays when apparently they may be free. Photo by Sacramento Sidetracks |
Sacramento Zoo (wheeled train, not included in base admission)
Movie Theaters
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West Wind Sacramento 6 Drive-In
9616 Oates Dr, Sacramento This drive-in theatre is just off Bradshaw Rd & Hwy 50. Children 5-11 years are only $1 each, and children under 5 are free. Showtimes, however, may be after many kids bedtimes. Photo by Cammie G. |
Food/Shopping with Outdoor Play Areas
Folsom
McDonalds – 697 E Bidwell St, Folsom in 2018 Train play structure was removed during remodel.
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McDonald’s 6612 Folom-Auburn Rd, Folsom Has a playplace play structure outside which is mostly a long climbing tunnel leading to a slide, and a tic tac toe game–nothing too intimidating for younger climbers. Large shade canopies here as well. side view of play structure. Photo by J. Brown |
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Skipolini’s Pasta and Pizza This full-service sit down restaurant has fenced patio seating (with shade umbrellas) next to a small play structure. Alternate View (Photo) by Skipolini’s Facebook page.. Photo by J. Brown |
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Carl’s Jr. Has a large fully shaded three-level outdoor play structure with tunnels, slides, and windows. Photo by J. Brown |
see similar places with indoor play areas (like Chick Fil A, etc)
Roseville
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The Fountains at Roseville Roseville Parkway & Galleria Boulevard, Roseville This upscale outdoor shopping center has an interactive water feature, inexpensive kiddie train rides (wheeled train, not on tracks), and a small fenced climbing play structure. Kid’s features are between Whole Foods and Pet Food Express. Review Photo by Sacramento Sidetracks |
Galleria At Roseville (1151 Galleria Blvd, Roseville) – The Galleria has an outdoor playground, downstairs, in the Prominade near the food court. It includes a climbing structure, soft climbing items for toddlers, and a musical floor tile.
Education
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Safetyville
3909 Bradshaw Rd, Rancho Cordova An educational 1/3 scale miniature city teaching safety skills about preventable accidents like fire and pedestrian safety. Organized tours are available for groups of 10+ (suggested for preschool age or above). Smaller groups can take a self-guided tour during open hours. Small admission fee required. Photo by Annette |
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2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael ** The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is an award-winning environmental and cultural education center located within the beautiful American River Parkway. Their 100-acre nature preserve features interpretive trails that meander through the riparian woodlands along the American River and tours and educational programs are available. **Please double check directions into the park as GPS may lead you through a closed road. Photo by Kids Busy Book |
Hiking, Biking And Trails
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Humbug-Willow Creek Trail East Bidwell & Creekside Dr, Folsom This bike and pedestrian friendly trail combines the best of city and country sightseeing as it snakes alongside Humbug and Willow Creeks. The trail takes you up to a bird refuge area (near Castle Park) that is beautiful any time of year, particularly the spring and summer. Bike Trail Directions Photo by MyFolsom |
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Serrano Trail
Serrano Pkwy & Silva Valley Pkwy, El Dorado Hills From Hwy 50, take the El Dorado Hills Blvd exit. Turn right on Serrano Parkway, turn left on Silva Valley and immediate right into Visitor Center ’s parking lot (just past the El Dorado Hills Library). Much of this trail is gravel. Photo Credit: © Memories by Michelle Photography 2013 |
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Bullfrog Gulley Trail off Serrano Pkwy, EDH From Hwy 50, take the El Dorado Hills Blvd exit.; turn left on Lassen Lane and park in Cornerstone Christian Church parking lot (931 Lassen Ln). Bull Frog trail starts off of Serrano Parkway, just past the golf course entrance, on the left. This trail is paved so it is stoller friendly. Photo by Mike |
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Francisco Blvd and El Dorado Hills Blvd, EDH This scenic dirt trail starts at Wild Oaks Park and continues all the way toward Browns Ravine, crossing four bridges–one of which (use caution) only has a hand-rail on only one side! Much of this well-marked trail meanders through hillsides with oak trees, and occasional road crossings. Photo by Mike |
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7000 Baldwin Dam Road, Folsom Nature area adjacent to Lew Howard Park. Unpaved, approximately mile loop through natural oak woodland. Has a few mild inclines, but nothing a preschooler couldn’t handle. Better for backpack carriers than jogging strollers. Much of the trail is shaded by trees, but bring a hat and water. There are 50 numbered markers at various spots along the providing a self-guided nature awareness tour. Photo by City of Folsom |
New York Creek Trail (EDH) – A (mostly) wide 1.6 mile dirt trail good for mountain-biking walking or running that runs from CSD park to Art Weisbug Park.
Browns/Ravine Folsom Lake – On the eastern shoreline of Folsom Lake State Recreation Area there are several miles of high quality dirt trails for hikers, runners, equestrians, and mountain bikers. Not all trails are suitable for all types of uses.
Further resources: DiscoverFolsom has a detailed list of the over 32 miles of paved bike/recreation trails running throughout Folsom. A map of the trails is also available from the City of Folsom’s Parks and Recration Department.
More Photos
Folsom Valley Railway (J. Brown)
Nimbus Fish Hatchery (J. Brown)
E. Bidwell McDonalds (J. Brown)