We spent a day exploring Folsom. This quaint little town of near Sacramento, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in central California. Taking a walk through the Folsom Historic District is like taking a walk back in time to an era when the Gold Rush was in full swing and the main form of communication was the Pony Express. On the edge of town, you will find one of California’s oldest prisons, immortalised in song by Johnny Cash.
How to get to Folsom
Folsom is 20 miles north east of the Californian capital, Sacramento, just off the US-50. We stopped here en route from Lake Tahoe to San Francisco – it’s about half way between the two, so makes an excellent stop off point.
Getting around Folsom
The Historic District is best explored on foot. There’s a free car park near the station. From here, it’s 2 miles to the prison and another 2 miles to the lake (a round trip of around 7 miles). We opted to drive, but there is a trail if you prefer to walk/cycle.
Where to Stay in Folsom
Accommodation in Folsom itself is somewhat limited and expensive. There are several hotels just outside town, close to either the US-50 or US-80. We opted to stay at the Motel 6 Sacramento, CA – North, 11 miles west of Folsom. I’ve stayed in nicer hotels. But if you’re just passing through, it’s conveniently located and the rooms are clean and comfortable. Note: You do need to pay a $100 deposit in cash upon check in.
Folsom in 1 Day Itinerary
| Day 1 | Drive to Folsom Folsom History District Folsom History Museum Wine Tasting at Crystal Basin Station Lunch at Riley’s on Sutter Folsom State Prison Folsom Prison Museum Johnny Cash Trail Folsom Lake State Recreation Area Accommodation – Motel 6 Sacramento, CA – North |
Drive to Folsom
Today, we descend the Sierra Nevada and head for the outskirts of the Californian capital of Sacramento, where we are meeting a friend, who has offered to show us round the historic town of Folsom. It’s definitely a day for layering, as it’s minus 3 degrees as we depart Lake Tahoe and 17 degrees by the time we reach our destination two hours later, rising to 26 degrees by mid afternoon.
Folsom History District
We meet our host who takes us on a walking tour of the old town, known as the Folsom History District. This runs along Sutter Street, where many of the buildings date from the 1850s. This area was the hang out of gold prospectors and a stop on the Pony Express. Nowadays, the buildings mostly house touristy shops and restaurants.
Folsom History Museum
The Folsom History Museum tells the town’s history through a range of artifacts. It is housed in a former stable block, once forming part of the Pony Express.
The museum is open from Thursday to Monday between 11 am and 4 pm. Entry costs $7 ($4 for concessions).
Folsom Depot
The Folsom Depot station dates back to 1856, when it was a stop on the state’s first passenger railway, the Sacramento Valley Railroad. Today, it houses a Visitor’s Center, where can obtain tourist information or purchase souvenirs.
Wine Tasting at Crystal Basin Station
A little way up Sutter Street, you will will find Crystal Basin Station. Here, can taste wines from the Crystal Basin Winery, which is situated some 30 miles east in Apple Hill in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Wine tasting is available from Thursday to Monday. Tasting costs $15 per person, which is waived if you purchase a bottle of wine. We chose a white wine flight; a selection of really good wines, but she included some equally tasty rosé and some Pommie (sparkling pomegranate wine) too.
Lunch at Riley’s on Sutter
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from along Sutter Street. Try Riley’s on Sutter, which offers American and Mexican dishes and great cocktails.
Rainbow Bridge
Take a drive across the Rainbow Bridge to Folsom State Prison. I was disappointed to find out that the bridge is so-called due its rainbow shaped concrete arches, not because it’s multi-coloured. Nonetheless, the century old bridge across the American River is a symbol of the town.
Folsom State Prison
Built in 1878, Folsom State Prison is California’s second oldest prison. Since that time, it has served as a maximum security facility and almost 100 prisoners have been executed here. It was made famous in a song by country singer Johnny Cash, entitled Folsom Prison Blues, which he composed in 1953 after watching a film about the prison. A decade later, Cash performed a series of live concerts at the prison.
Folsom Prison Museum
Members of the public can’t visit the prison, but adjacent to the site is the Folsom Prison Museum, where you can learn about the prison’s history and Cash’s concerts here. The museum is open from Saturday to Monday from 10 am until 4 pm. Entry costs $2.
Johnny Cash Trail
From here, you can access the Johnny Cash Trail. The trail runs from the prison to the Historic District or Folsom Lake. It connects various places connected with the singer’s life. There are plans to install public art along the route.
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
We round the day off with a visit to Folsom Lake State Recreation Area; a reservoir created by damming the American River, which flows down from the Sierra Nevada. It’s very pretty and we also spot plenty of wildlife, including ground squirrels and a coyote.
The park is open during daylight hours. Entry costs $10-$12 per vehicle.
Accommodation – Motel 6 Sacramento, CA – North
Our accommodation for the night is the Motel 6 Sacramento, CA – North, on the interstate a few miles out of town. It’s presumably in a less than salubrious area, as security is tight. But once we’re in, it’s a perfectly clean and comfortable motel.
I hope you found the above information useful. For guides to more destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full list of Independent Travel Itineraries here.
- Trip taken: April 2022
- Updated: December 2024
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