Overview
Folsom is a city of 82,000 people (2019) in Sacramento County in California. Folsom is home to Folsom Lake College, Folsom Dam, Folsom Prison and a historic district. Folsom is also home to the largest private employer in the Sacramento area, Intel.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 4 places to eat · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Folsom
Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park
Vintage generators are still in place at the powerhouse, as is the control switchboard, faced with Tennessee marble. Visitors touring the powerhouse can see the massive General Electric transformers, each capable of cond…
Historic Sutter Street
A narrow street but beautiful trees and a lot of restaurants and other businesses.
Folsom Prison Museum
The prison was built in 1880 to handle the overload from San Quentin. Tours of the prison are not offered; however, the displays in the museum offer a realistic view of what life is like on the inside. Especially frighte…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Feb–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 94°F; winter lows dip to about 41°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Sacramento)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SMF Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento — 22 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SCK Stockton Metropolitan Airport, Stockton — 54 mi away. Directions
U.S. Route 50 connects the town on its eastern and western sides.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Historic Sutter Street, Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park
- Lunch BJ Cinnamon
- Afternoon Folsom Prison Museum
- Dinner La Fiesta Taqueria
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
U.S. Route 50 connects the town on its eastern and western sides.
Public transportation
Go Historic Folsom Station
Served by the Sacramento Regional Transit Gold light rail line, with service approximately every half-hour to and from Downtown Sacramento.
Get around
Folsom has its own bus line that is serviced with the Folsom Stage Line buses. Reloadable bus passes are available at the city hall. There are also several car rental locations throughout the city.
See
See Historic Sutter Street
A narrow street but beautiful trees and a lot of restaurants and other businesses.
See Folsom Prison Museum
The prison was built in 1880 to handle the overload from San Quentin. Tours of the prison are not offered; however, the displays in the museum offer a realistic view of what life is like on the inside. Especially frightening is the display of weapons prisoners have made from everyday items. You can purchase crafts and other items made by prisoners.
Do
There's always the option to go to Folsom Lake, a reservoir north of the Folsom city itself.
Do Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park
Vintage generators are still in place at the powerhouse, as is the control switchboard, faced with Tennessee marble. Visitors touring the powerhouse can see the massive General Electric transformers, each capable of conducting from 800 to 11,000 volts of electricity, in addition to the forebays and canal system that brought the water from the dam.
Buy
Folsom has a historical downtown with lots of interesting shops and excellent restaurants. Outlet malls are located just out of town.
Eat
Eat Scott's Seafood Bar and Grill
Excellent and delicious food, very nice site overlooking the river, though a bit expensive.
Eat BJ Cinnamon
Small shop serving donuts and breakfast pastries with excellent customer service; will occasionally throw in some extra donut holes to your purchase if you have children.
Eat La Fiesta Taqueria
Mexican restaurant with good tostadas, taco salads and tacos. Clean environment and friendly staff.
Eat Sacramento Pizza Company
Locally owned build-your-own small pizza restaurant with many toppings and a good crust. Seating is limited here, with only a few small tables.
Sleep
Go next
- Placerville — 50 East. About 20 minutes away.
- Sacramento — is just 20 minutes to the west on 50.
Nearby
El Dorado Hills
City / town · 1 listings · 5 mi away
Gold River
City / town · 4 listings · 5 mi away
Citrus Heights
City / town · 8 listings · 6 mi away
Roseville
City / town · 15 listings · 8 mi away
Rocklin
City / town · 14 listings · 8 mi away
Rancho Cordova
City / town · 13 listings · 9 mi away
North Highlands
City / town · 1 listings · 11 mi away
McClellan Park
City / town · 1 listings · 12 mi away
My experience
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