20 Attractions to Explore Near Folsom Lake

The Charles C. Jensen Botanical Gardens are botanical gardens located at 8520 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Carmichael, California. They are open during the daylight hours without charge.The gardens exhibit a variety of flora including camellias, dogwoods, azaleas, and rhododendrons.

A beautiful destination for children to inspire, create and explore. SCM engages children and families in meaningful discovery experiences that instill appreciation for our community, develop foundational skills, and spark a life-long love of learning. The Museum includes hands-on activities for children using pressurized tubes, artificial currents, balls in chutes to explore gravity, as well as painting and craft art activities.

The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is an award-winning environmental and cultural education center located within the beautiful American River Parkway in Carmichael, California. Situated along a 100 acre nature preserve and the American River, the Nature Center provides educational opportunities for students and the general public.

Carmichael Park is a major 38-acre park in Carmichael, California, an unincorporated suburb of Sacramento, California. The park includes 5 ballfields, 6 tennis courts and a dog park. The Community Clubhouse, Veterans' Memorial Building, the Daniel Bishop Memorial Pavilion for the Performing Arts, and the Great Wall of Carmichael are all located within the park.

William B. Pond Recreation Area is one of the most well-established and popular parks along the river. Physically handicapped anglers can access the large, man-made fishing pond via a specialized fishing pier and ramp. Paved walking trails gently slope around the park, leaving no barrier between enjoyment of nature and every park visitor.

Features displays of authentic military and civilian aircraft as well as space vehicle replicas.

St. Philomena Catholic Church and Rectory, located in Louisiana, is a historic site embodying the area's Catholic heritage. Established in the late 19th or early 20th century, the church and rectory showcase architectural styles typical of their time, possibly reflecting elements of Gothic Revival or other prevalent styles of the era.

The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail offers the best trail access in the Sacramento area. This world-renowned trail winds from Folsom to old Sacramento, paralleling the American River and stopping at many key places along the way. The trail is considered one of the longest paved purpose-built bike trails in the country. The trail is maintained by the County of Sacramento and is painted with mile markers placed at every half-mile increment.

Paradise Beach is located near California State University, Sacramento, on a oxbow bend in the river which creates a cove where cautious swimmers and skimmers can play. The park is a popular destination for swimming families and young adults.

McKinley Park is a historically significant city park located in Sacramento, California. The Sacramento Street Railway Company built the park in 1871 to attract passengers to its line and the park continues to serve as both a recreational area and a gathering spot for residents of the greater Sacramento area.

Amador Cellars is a family-run winery showcasing Mediterranean wines, Tuscan architecture and a friendly tasting room staff. The winery produces estate-grown Zinfandel and Italian, Spanish and Rhone Valley varietals. Explore our beautiful location for a barn wedding amid the vines.

The American River Parkway is a 32-mile parkway that runs along the American River throughout Sacramento County, California and consists of many smaller parks and boat launching points.

19th-century agricultural and trade colony. The fort was the first non-Indigenous community in the California Central Valley. The fort is famous for its association with the Donner Party, the California Gold Rush, and the formation of Sacramento. It is notable for its proximity to the end of the California Trail and Siskiyou Trails, which it served as a waystation

The California State Indian Museum is a museum in the state park system of California, United States, interpreting the diverse cultures of the indigenous peoples of California. It tells the story of California’s first inhabitants– beginning here before the Spanish, explorers, and settlers arrived, and eons before the advent of the Gold Rush.

Shenandoah Vineyards is the 2nd oldest active winery in Virginia, founded in 1976. Housed in a red barn dating to the Civil War, the winery sits atop an old stone foundation which serves as the aging cellar. The winery features a picnic area with breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards. The tasting room has knowledgeable, friendly staff and an art gallery featuring contemporary art and ceramics.

The California Governor's Mansion is the official residence of the governor of California, located in Sacramento, the capital of California. Built in 1877, the estate was purchased by the Californian government in 1903 and has served as the executive residence for 14 governors. Since 1967 the mansion has been managed by California State Parks as the Governor's Mansion State Historic Park.

The World Peace Rose Garden, established in Capitol Park in 2003, was created as a sanctuary of peace, love, and inspiration for people of all nations, cultures, and religions. The garden is dedicated to women, children, and families.The rose, the official flower of the United States, serves as a silent ambassador of peace and a symbol of unity.

The California State Capitol is the seat of the Government of California, located in Sacramento, the state capital of California. The building houses the chambers of the California State Legislature, made up of the Assembly and the Senate, along with the office of the governor of California. The Neoclassical structure, designed by Reuben S. Clark, was completed between 1861 and 1874. The California State Capitol Museum is housed on the grounds of the capitol.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is considered one of three of the most historically significant buildings in Sacramento.As the mother church, it is the seat of Jaime Soto, the ordinary bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento. The Cathedral is located downtown at the intersection of 11th and K Streets. Currently, the cathedral is considered both a religious and civic landmark.

The Plaza de César Chávez is an urban plaza and park in Downtown San Jose, California. The plaza's origins date to 1797 as the plaza mayor of the Spanish Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe, making it the oldest public space in Northern California. The plaza was reconsecrated after Californian civil rights activist César Chávez in 1993.