Visit Folsom, California
Made famous by Johnny Cash's song, "Folsom Prison Blues", Folsom, CA is a city filled with museums, historic sites, more than 50 miles of bike trails, a prison, and 2 lakes (Lake Folsom and Lake Natoma.)
The Best Time to Visit Folsom, California
Folsom, CA experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. Summers are long, hot and dry, while winters are generally mild, with little rainfall. The hottest months fall between June and August, with highs averaging at around 96°F. The coldest months fall between December and February, with lows averaging at around 36°F.
Hotels in Folsom, CA are busiest between June and August. Hotels in Folsom, CA are cheapest in December.
Getting Around Folsom, California
The nearest airport to Folsom, CA is the Sacramento International Airport (SMF), approx. 25 miles away from downtown Folsom. The most convenient way to get from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to downtown Folsom is via taxi. On-demand taxi service is available at the Ground Transportation Area, adjacent to Baggage Claim. The journey takes around 35–40 minutes, and costs between US$150–US$180.
Driving is a popular way of getting to and around Folsom, CA. Car rental companies have desks located at the Rental Car Terminal, accessible via shuttle. Alternatively, Trip.com offers a wide selection of cars to book, with free cancellation and no credit card fees. You can explore car rental options here.
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) operates the Folsom Stage Line, a public bus service within the city of Folsom. Bus service runs from 05:25–19:55, on Mondays–Fridays only. Single ride fares cost US$2.50, and day passes cost US$7.
Things to Do in Folsom, California
Spend the day boating or fishing at Folsom Lake, a reservoir on the American River, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California. The lake is accessible via the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, and also consists of designated areas for hiking, camping, biking, and even horseback riding. The most prominent hiking/biking trail at the park is the 32-mile Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, which connects to state capitol, Sacramento, CA. Granite Bay and Beal's Point sits on the western shores of Folsom Lake.
Ever wondered what life was like behind bars? Folsom State Prison, just under 2 miles from downtown Folsom, is California's second-oldest prison. The prison was made famous by legendary singer, Johnny Cash's song "Folsom Prison Blues", written to reflect his perception of prison life. The prison is home to Folsom State Prison Museum, featuring exhibits of the prison's history, as well as the experiences of the prison's correction officers, since the 1880's. Exhibits include photographs, artifacts, contraband items, and most notably, a 6-foot-tall Ferris wheel made with toothpicks by an inmate. The museum, also known as Big House Museum, is accessible via the paved Johnny Cash Trail, and opens daily from 10:00–16:00. Admission costs US$2.
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