Vacationers looking for an thrilling city essential in California Gold Rush historical past, a frontrunner in historic preservation, full with retailers, wonderful eating and river-side surroundings are smart to decide on Folsom as a vacation spot.
When gold was found on the American River in 1848 in Coloma, simply 25 miles upriver from Folsom, Capt. Joseph Libby Folsom of the U.S. Military turned all for buying California land wealthy with the promise of gold. He bought the Rancho Rio de los Americanos from William Leidesdorff’s heirs for $75,000, then employed Theodore Judah to survey the land for a city named Granite Metropolis.
He went on to pioneer the Sacramento Valley Railroad, from Folsom to Sacramento, the primary railroad west of the Mississippi. After dying unexpectedly in 1855, the city was renamed Folsom in honor of its founder.
Folsom would prosper because the gateway to the Mom Lode mining area, as a transportation heart and a provide heart to 1000’s of minors passing via on the best way to their fortunes. The city will develop into a significant participant within the Pony Categorical, the transcontinental telegraph and transcontinental railroad and has managed to protect a lot about historical past in one of the vital quaint gold rush cities.
All through the town, huge piles of previous cobblestones abound, proof of the dredge mining on the American River flood-plain for elusive gold.
The Folsom Historic District gives a compact preservation footprint: The Sacramento Valley Railroad’s recreated roundtable sits outdoors the reimagined roundhouse, now dwelling to Scott’s Seafood Grill. Consistent with the rail theme, previous Folsom is serviced by the Gold line of Sacramento’s gentle rail system, simply blocks to the west.
The district is a eating and purchasing mecca with a 4 block-long stretch of historic buildings, retailers and boutiques and a wealth of eating places. Take a look at the second story shaded deck of the Hacienda Del Rio for Mexican dishes, the Hop Sing Palace close by for Chinese language favorites and Snooks Chocolate Manufacturing facility for killer chocolate concoctions.
Scott’s Seafood Grill gives beautiful meals within the re-created Roundhouse Constructing on Sutter Avenue, and one of the best view from a restaurant comes from the Cliff Home on Dollar Lane throughout the American River, trying again on previous city and the historic Rainbow Bridge.
The compact historic districts gives the Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park, preserving the ability which opened in 1895 utilizing water from the American River to energy generators and ship electrical energy 22 miles into Sacramento — a distance unprecedented at the moment.
The town additionally boasts the Railroad Museum within the Sacramento Valley Rail station and a roundtable, whereas the Folsom Historical past Museum within the close by Wells Fargo constructing was the western terminus of the short-lived Pony Categorical.
Folsom is an immensely walkable and bikeable neighborhood, with the Jedidiah Smith Bike Path following the scenic American River, a connector path into previous Folsom, and the brand new Johnny Money Bike Path heading from the previous city easterly alongside the river and into the close by foothills. The bike path additionally continues east to Folsom Lake, and the town additionally gives 50 miles of extra biking trails connecting the neighborhood.
Right here, the American River flows just under Folsom Lake Dam, coursing via a gorge lined with granite boulders, crossed by the previous Rainbow Bridge and the newer Lake Natoma Crossing bridge. Take a stroll all the way down to the Lake Natoma Inn on the river, and discover the pedestrian pathway alongside this beautiful stretch of the American, long-ago found by swimmers, kayakers and fishermen.
Lake Natoma is simply west; the Sacramento State Aquatic Middle, on Hazel Avenue subsequent to the Lake Natoma Dam, gives a wonderful alternative of water actions. Run by California State College college students, the ability is a stunning advanced with shaded picnic areas, sunny seaside, leases of kayaks, small and bigger sailboats, stand-up paddle boards (SUPs) and classes, if wanted. Our grandkids enjoyment of paddling round Lake Natoma on kayaks and SUPs.
Folsom boasts an energetic arts scene together with the month-to-month Artwork Hop on Sept. 4, the Folsom Peddlers Truthful, Sept. 19, and the Folsom Renaissance Truthful, Sept. 25-26. The historic Sutter Avenue Theatre and the brand new Zittel Household Amphitheater supply performs, concert events and musical choices (see visitfolsom.com for listing).
The town additionally gives the acclaimed Folsom Metropolis Zoo and the Folsom Aquatic Middle with swimming pools and water slide and loads of stores sprinkled all through the historic and enlarged city. The town has additionally grown shortly on its outskirts within the final 25 years; providing the very upscale Palladia Purchasing Middle simply three miles to the southeast.
The right way to get there: From Stockton, go north on Interstate 5 or Freeway 99 to Sacramento, then east on Freeway 50 to Folsom; it’s about 70 miles and 1.25 hours.
For extra info: Go to Folsom, visitfolsom.com, (916) 985-2698; Folsom Chamber of Commerce, folsomchamber.com, (916) 985-5555; Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park, parks.ca.gov, (916) 985-4843; Folsom Metropolis Zoo, folsomzoofriends.com, (916) 461-6629.
Contact Tim at tviall@msn.com. Completely satisfied travels within the west!
