20 Things To Do In Roseville, CA

The most populated city in Northern California’s Placer County, Roseville is a culturally and historically rich destination in the Golden State that’s just an 18-mile (29 km) journey from the state’s capital city, Sacramento. Roseville forms part of the larger Sacramento Metropolitan Area and gets to enjoy the world-class entertainment options, shopping destinations and state-of-the-art landmarks of Cali’s capital while retaining its small-town feel. 

The city is home to top-notch travel spots such as the Golfland Sunsplash amusement park, Folsom Lake and the All-American Speedway, and is the perfect place from which to launch once-in-a-lifetime road trips to downtown Sacramento and the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Roseville, California

20 Things To Do In Rosevile

1- Stop By The Maidu Museum & Historic Site

The Maidu Museum & Historic Site is a state-of-the-art interpretive centre on the exact site where the Nisenan Maidu people lived for well over 3,000 years.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, the museum is one of only a few institutions in the world dedicated to the culture and impact of the Nisenam Maidu people. 

The museum features exhibits on native basket weaving and acorn processing traditions, as well as bedrock mortars and ancient petroglyphs, which visitors can enjoy completely free of charge.

Maidu Museum & Historic Site is at 1970 Johnson Ranch Dr, Roseville, CA 95661.

2- Explore Downtown And Old Town Roseville

Sandwiched between Pacific Street, Lincoln Street, Main Street and Washington Blvd., Downtown and Old Town is a unique section of central Roseville that’s renowned for its cultural attractions, lively bar scene and important landmarks.

The district spans an area of about 158 acres (64 ha) and is a remnant of Roseville’s early history as an important railroad town, with the old town’s storefronts and cultural institutions preserved for current generations to experience.

Among the district’s many notable attractions and landmarks are the Tower Theatre, the city’s eclectic art galleries and the famous mailboxes which can be found lining Vernon Street.

3- Experience Live Music At The Vernon Street Town Square

Situated right next door to the Roseville Civic Center, Vernon Street Town Square is the city’s unofficial community gathering place, hosting everything from open-air concerts to public events.

The square sits firmly within the borders of Downtown and Old Town Roseville and is jam-packed with virtually every public park amenity one can imagine.

Swing by the town square whenever a community event is scheduled to take place to experience the energy and culture that makes Roseville the enviable California travel destination it is.

Vernon Street Town Square is at 311 Vernon St, Roseville, CA 95678. 

4- Spend An Afternoon At Golfland Sunsplash

With over 30 unique amusement rides and attractions, Golfland Sunsplash waterpark is Roseville’s go-to destination for families. 

The park combines water fun with an award-winning miniature golfing experience to offer something interesting and exciting to do no matter the weather.

Among the park’s most popular attractions are its wave pool, lazy river indoor laser tag course.    

Golfland Sunsplash is at 1893 Taylor Rd, Roseville, CA 95661.

5- Tour The Imposing California State Capitol

One of the Golden State’s most important landmarks is the California State Capitol, which is an impressive Neoclassical Revival-style building in downtown Sacramento.

The state capito is only 20 miles (32 km) southwest of downtown Roseville and worth a visit. 

The building was designed by architects Gordon Parker Cummings, M. Frederick Butler and Reuben Clark, and completed in 1874. 

It’s open to the general public for tours and well worth looking at as it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

The California State Capitol is at 1315 10th St, Sacramento, CA 95814.

6- Get Creative At Blue Line Arts

Blue Line Arts is an important visual arts hub for Roseville and the surrounding area, organising several workshops and initiatives to continue growing Roseville’s local creative arts scene.

The centre opened in 1966 as the “Roseville Community Projects Incorporated” and moved into its current 5,000-square-foot (465 m2) home several decades later in 2008. 

In the heart of downtown Roseville, the centre is free to visit and is a fairly intimate venue that plays host to a wide breadth of community events and special gatherings throughout the year.

Blue Line Arts is at 405 Vernon St #100, Roseville, CA 95678.

7- Check Out The Denio’s Farmers Market & Swap Meet

First organised in 1947 by Jim and Marilee Denio, the Denio’s Farmers Market & Swap Meet has developed into a mainstay community event in Roseville where shoppers can pick up fresh produce grown locally. 

The market is held Friday through Sunday and is renowned for its rare treasures and bargain finds which observant visitors can take advantage of.

Still owned and managed by the Denio family, the market is free to enjoy and attracts dozens of vendors and sellers from across the region.

The Denio’s Farmers Market & Swap Meet is at 1551 Vineyard Rd, Roseville, CA 95678.

8- Enjoy The Picturesque California Outdoors At Folsom Lake

Roughly 15 miles (24 km) east of downtown Roseville is Folsom Lake, one of the city’s most popular outdoor recreational spaces. 

The freshwater lake spans an area of more than 11,500 acres (4,700 ha) and forms part of the Folsom Lake State Recreational Area, one of the California Park System’s most-visited destinations.

Formed in 1955 following the construction of Folsom Dam, this man-made outdoor landmark has over 75 miles (121 km) of lakefront and is a refuge for wildlife species such as black-tailed deer, grey foxes and mountain lions.

9- Shop and Dine At The Westfield Galleria at Roseville

The Westfield Galleria at Roseville is a two-story shopping centre with over 190 independent storefronts anchored by retail giants JCPenny, Nordstrom and Macy’s.

Among the shopping mall’s attractions is a 14-screen Cinemark theatre, a range of dining options and unique amusement centre.

Westfield Galleria at Roseville is at 1151 Galleria Blvd, Roseville, CA 95678.

10- Discover Roseville’s Past At The Carnegie Library Museum

The Carnegie Library Museum became Roseville’s first public library in 1912.

It was built using the generous funds donated by tycoon and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

In 1988 the Roseville Historical Society moved in and turned the former library into their new home, creating one of the city’s most fascinating historical institutions in the process.

The museum features several eye-opening exhibits for travellers to discover the region’s rich history through, including railroad displays, military memorabilia and musical entertainment modes.

The Carnegie Library Museum is at 557 Lincoln St, Roseville, CA 95678.

11- Plan An Afternoon Picnic At Maidu Regional Park

The sprawling Maidu Regional Park is a 152-acre (62 ha) outdoor attraction that’s as much a scenic natural recreational space as it is an important historic and cultural site.

The park has attractions like the Maidu Community Center, the Veterans Memorial Rose Garden and the Maidu Branch Library, as well as a compact on-site museum.

Among the park’s most popular amenities are basketball courts, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, dedicated picnic spots and pathways cutting through the park’s thick forests.     

Maidu Regional Park is at 1550 Maidu Dr, Roseville, CA 95661.

12- Hike Or Bike The Miners Ravine Trail

The Miners Ravine Trail is a scenic 8-mile-long (13 km) paved pathway that’s accessible to hikers, cyclists and dog walkers in eastern Roseville.

Fairly easy to navigate, the trail follows the westernmost edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and gets its name from the miners who used the nearby stream to sift for gold during the 1849 Gold Rush.

Several species of native fauna and flora can be observed along the trail, making it a fun outdoor activity to do that’s free to enjoy year-round.

13- Swing By The Informative Roseville Telephone Museum

Covering an area of about 4,500 square feet (418 m2), the Roseville Telephone Museum is a unique institution in Roseville that boasts one of the most extensive antique telephone collections of any museum in the United States.

The museum opened in 2012 and chronicles the tale of the Roseville Telephone Company, which was established by William Doyle in the same building now occupied by the museum in 1912.

There’s no shortage of attractions and notable exhibits on display throughout the museum, however, the functioning magneto switchboard, insulator collection and interactive rotary phones are definitely among the museum’s highlights.

The Roseville Telephone Museum is at 106 Vernon St, Roseville, CA 95678.

14- Check Out The Compact Olympus Pointe Sculpture Park

Home to Roseville’s eye-catching “Cosmos” sculpture, the Olympus Pointe Sculpture Park doubles as the trailhead for the Miners Ravine Trail and was created by the City of Roseville in 1990.

The sculpture park is pretty compact, making it ideal for grabbing a bite to eat before or after hiking the Miners Ravine Trail, and is a good place to snap some memorable pics to remember your trip to Roseville.

The Olympus Pointe Sculpture Park is at 350 N Sunrise Ave, Roseville, CA 95661.

15- Tour The Roseville Utility Exploration Center

The Roseville Utility Exploration Center is an educational institution and museum that specialises in teaching visitors of all ages about efficient water use, watershed protection and energy conservation. 

The centre was opened in 2008 and boasts about 3,000 square feet (279 m2) of total exhibition space that’s occupied by displays such as an interactive Learning Lab.

Housed inside the Martha Riley Library Building in downtown Roseville, the centre regularly updates its exhibits and displays, and is renowned for its informative workshops and programs.

The Roseville Utility Exploration Center is at 1501 Pleasant Grove Blvd, Roseville, CA 95747.           

16- Catch A Movie Or Theatre Performance At The Tower Theater

Completed in 1940, the Tower Theater in downtown Roseville is an iconic landmark of the city that’s regarded as one of the premier venues in town to catch a movie or two.

The theatre was officially opened to the public when it screened “Too Many Girls” starring Lucille Ball on November 7, 1940, and boasts a maximum seating capacity of about 1,100 patrons.

Upgraded and renovated several times since its grand opening, the theatre houses an art gallery that was established by the Roseville Arts Center and features an eye-catching Art Deco design.

The Tower Theater is at 417 Vernon St, Roseville, CA 95678.

17- Go Shopping At The Fountains

While notably smaller in size than the large Westfield Galleria at Roseville, The Fountains is still among the most popular shopping destinations in the region and offers shoppers a more relaxed and compact shopping experience without sacrificing retail options.

The shopping centre houses about 40 stores and approximately 10 different eateries, and was the first “lifestyle shopping centre” in the Sacramento area when it opened in 2008.

With more than 330,000 square feet (2,787 m2) of total retail space available, The Fountains is a fantastic venue to explore if you’re in the mood to shop when visiting Roseville.    

The Fountains is at 1013 Galleria Blvd, Roseville, CA 95678.

18- Enjoy NASCAR-Sanctioned Racing At The All American Speedway

The All American Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned racetrack that hosts year-round high-octane racing spectacles right in Roseville’s backyard. 

The short 0.3-mile-long (536 m) track held its first event in 1954 and played host to NASCAR’s Winston Grand National West Series between 1977 and 1982.

Renovated and modernised in 2008, the track is a stopping point during the annual SRL Southwest Tour and has held more than a dozen ARCA Menards Series West racing events.

The All American Speedway is at 800 Event Center Dr, Roseville, CA 95678.

19- Plan A Visit To The World-Class California State Railroad Museum

Regarded as one of the premier railroad museums in the United States, the jam-packed California State Railroad Museum in downtown Sacramento is well worth the short 18-mile (29 km) trip to visit.

The museum was established in 1981 and houses several exhibits detailing the role that the railroad played in connecting the state of California with the rest of the United States.

There’s no end to the museum’s star-studded collection of railroad memorabilia, which includes locomotives dating back to 1862 and displays detailing the process behind the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad through the Sierra Nevada Mountains.    

 The California State Railroad Museum is at 125 I St, Sacramento, CA 95814.    

20- Stop By Historic Magic Circle Theatre

Initially established in 1987, the Magic Circle Theatre is a non-profit community theatre that hosts over 300 productions annually.

The theatre also serves as a valuable institution for growing and promoting the performing arts in and around Roseville, organising a variety of informative workshops and programs to get all ages interested in the magical world of theatre. 

 The Magic Circle Theatre is at 421 Vernon St, Roseville, CA 95678.

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