I’ll be honest.  When I first saw Folsom, California on a map, I didn’t think much of it.  As far as I knew, Folsom was a prison, right?  My mind immediately conjured up images of Johnny Cash singing “I walk the line”.  I was traveling home from Sacramento one day and thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to drive through Folsom and take a picture on front of the prison for my scrapbook?”  Wasn’t I in for a surprise?  There is a famous prison in Folsom and Johnny Cash did perform there in 1968, but little did I know I was about to be introduced to one of my favorite cities in California.  

Folsom, California has boomed in recent years to become one of the top shopping, dining and outdoor adventure destinations in Northern California, offering something for everyone in your family.  For the outdoor adventurer in your family, Folsom offers great water sports and hiking.  Between Folsom Lake, Lake Natoma and the American River, anyone who enjoys being on the water will be able to find their pleasure.  Whether you like waterskiing, wakeboarding, swimming or just hiking along the waterfront, Folsom is a sportsman’s paradise.  

For the shopper in your family, Folsom is also home to the Folsom Premium Outlets which is a bargain shopper’s oasis.  With nearly 100 designer clothing outlet stores, it is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon walking through the outdoor mall in the comfortable California sunshine.

Best of all, Folsom is the perfect destination for families.  I recently took my two year old to Disneyland and he didn’t enjoy it half as much as he loved Folsom.  Sometimes the major tourist destinations can be overwhelming and tiring for little ones, but Folsom is full of outdoor adventure, parks and attractions perfect for little children.  As for accommodations, we stayed at the Residence Inn by Marriott which offers a military discount and rooms perfect for families with one or two bedrooms.  Centrally located and offering a full breakfast buffet for free every morning, it’s the perfect place to stay with the kids.

Despite the small size, the Folsom Zoo & Sanctuary is one of the best zoo experiences I’ve ever had.  While only a fraction of the size of larger zoos, the Folsom Zoo & Sanctuary offers a much more intimate encounter with both exotic and native California wildlife, and can be comfortably experienced in an afternoon.  My son particularly loved the peacocks and roosters that room the grounds free.   An afternoon at the zoo would be incomplete without a ride on the adjacent Folsom Valley Railway.  This train is a huge hit among children (and the adults in my family).  The Folsom Valley railroad is pulled by a 12 inch narrow gauge 4-4-0 steam locomotive (a miniature locomotive for those that don’t speak ‘train’) that is just the right size for kids to relate to.  If you travel with your children, it’s something that can’t be missed, and at a cost of $4 per person for the zoo and $2 per person for a train ride, it won’t break the bank.

Folsom is also home to a vast variety of restaurants that cover everything from east to west.  Fat’s Asia Bistro is an unforgettable culinary experience, gathering a broad spectrum of Eastern cuisine under one roof.  For those hankering western food, Texas West BBQ is my personal favorite.  As a native Texan, I can tell you that it is not only authentically Texan, but mouthwateringly scrumptious as well. 

Folsom is a destination that shouldn’t be missed.  I have found my home away from home!

Fun in Folsom, California