Folsom
Looking for a year-round Northern California dog-friendly destination with fun activities for the entire family? Spend a weekend in Folsom exploring with your dog on miles of paved walking, hiking and cycling trails along shady wooded corridors and scenic waterways.
The American River Parkway and Folsom Lake State Recreation Area are pleasantly dog-friendly, with parks, beaches, trails and more. Also check out Folsom's dog park, Fido Field at Cummings Family Park, which offers separate fenced areas for small and large dogs as well as shade and seating for family members.
Is your dog "water crazy?" The options are endless, from paddling a kayak and exploring the natural waterways of Lake Natoma to enjoying high-energy water sports like wakeboarding and swimming.
Water sports, scenic views, historic attractions, cycling, good food and dog-friendly... that's Folsom in a nutshell.
Ideally located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe and close to the Sierra foothills wine country, Folsom could be described as the Mecca of Northern California outdoor recreation. Folsom is most recognized worldwide through Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" and historic Folsom Prison.
There's lots for you and your family to do. The community hosts fun events such as the Folsom Pro Rodeo and Folsom LIVE!, as well as Folsom Premium Outlets and historical sightseeing.
Image courtesy of Visit Folsom
Just up Highway 50 from Sacramento, the city of Folsom is a superb dog-friendly destination with a handsomely renovated Old Town just a block or two from the Sacramento River. Cuddle up in dog-friendly lodging and spend a weekend exploring with your four-legged friend. Get your bearings on Sutter Street (the main drag), where you can soak up some local motion at a dog-friendly taproom or restaurant. more »
American River Bike Trail - Robert Couse-Baker (cc)
Folsom isn’t only a convenient destination for Northern California visitors, it’s also diverse, offering many options for “socially distanced” outdoor recreation. Start by stepping out on a segment of the 32-mile American River Bike Trail, which runs from downtown Sacramento to downtown Folsom. The multi-use path hugs the river of the same name, offering endless opportunities to wander down to the water and let Fido make a splash. more »
Red Bus Brewing Company - Photo Credit: @doodthepood
Just a blink up Highway 50 from Rancho Cordova, Folsom is a Gold Country gateway rich in pioneer history. It boasts tons of recreational opportunities, a captivating Old Town district with vibrant dining options, and four beer trail havens for DogTrekking brew lovers craving a taste of local ale. more »
Meats exploring the Johnny Cash Trail - Photo Credit: @finnifsk8
History, a vibrant dining scene and outdoor recreation options galore beckon in this gateway to California Gold Country. Folsom’s nucleus is its handsomely revitalized Old Town district, centered on Sutter Street and great for an anytime stroll or sit-down with your four-legged friend. more »
Visitors know Folsom for the song made famous by the Man in Black, but no one sings the blues once they get to this historic little city at the western gateway to California Gold Country. Folsom makes a great launching pad for forays into El Dorado County wine country and the Apple Hill region, where many dog-friendly adventures await. But it also has much to offer DogTrekkers in its own right—including a new, 2.5-mile trail and sculpture park named for Johnny Cash.
The Johnny Cash Trail connects to an extensive network of paved paths shared by cyclists, joggers and dog-walkers, while just outside town, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, which includes the separate Lake Natoma, have their own sets of pathways along with miles of shoreline where Sparky can swim and fetch sticks to his heart’s content. And that’s not to mention the American River Bike Trail hugging the river of the same name for 32 miles, all the way to downtown Sacramento. more »