1. Folsom Valley Railway

    1. Folsom Valley Railway

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    Folsom, CA

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    Folsom Valley Railway

    4.7 (19 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Folsom Valley Railway Photos

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    Cassandra B.

    Cute little train ride. It was the first time bringing my little one and he loved it. It was longer than expected too which was a plus. You start towards the front of the grass area then it runs parallel to the back side of the zoo sanctuary and loops around. My only complaint is pricing went up and it has not been updated anywhere except when you are in person to pay. Their website says $3 per person but it's actually $4 now. Plus they charge a $1 surcharge if you pay with card...

    Love this vintage sign, a bargain to ride!
    Rachelle P.

    All aboard! It's become a fun weekly tradition for my fiancé, my daughter and I to climb aboard this little train, conveniently located next to the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, Folsom Public Library, the Friends of Folsom Library and Veterans Memorial inside Folsom City Lions Park! For ages 2 and up tickets are just $3.00 a piece, meaning it cost just $9.00 for the 3 of us, definitely a bargain for us parents and the ride lasts about 10 minutes round trip! It's a blast for all ages, you'll enjoy the scenery of Folsom City Lions Park as you ride! And don't forget to pack a lunch to eat at one of their picnic tables located next to this historic Train Station! I would HIGHLY recommend paying a visit to this local train, why not make a whole day out of it, with so many things to do all in 1 park, honestly I think it's one of the best/affordable things Folsom has to offer for families alike! We continue to come back, as well as recommend it to our friends, family and visitors! In fact we may just pay a visit this morning if we have time! The train operates February-September, weather permitting, closed only in January for maintenance! *Fun Fact: This 12 inch gauge railroad is the only one in the US, in fact it's 1 of 7 mini replica steam powered railroads in CA! SYOY! :-)

    This is the only remaining 12-inch track railway still in operation!

    We had a great time riding the Folsom Valley Railway! It's powered by a diesel locomotive and has plenty of open-air seating. People of all ages can ride the train, which runs smoothly and comfortably. Would recommend for everyone and plan to come back again and again with our infant granddaughter.

    Train ride at the Zoo
    Stacy M.

    Always have a blast on this mini real life steam engine! Kids are now 5&7 and have been enjoying this since they were babies. Tickets are only $3 a piece and 2 and younger are free. Entire ride takes only 5-10 minutes and it's a great activity to do before we hit up the zoo. Be sure to check in in their hours before you go as they are closed certain days, and hours vary depending on the season. Also good to know if it gets too hot during summer hours, the train also closes so be sure to check out their website. The man who runs the train is AMAZING, patient, kind, helpful to get little ones in and out of the train and a great photographer who is always happy to give photo tips and will offer to take your family photo- no charge! Worth every penny!

    John D.

    "I hear the train a comin'; It's rolling 'round the bend"-- Johnny Cash, "Folsom Prison Blues" Located inside the Folsom City Lions Park, the Folsom Valley Railway (FVR) has been running the last 12-inch gauge railroad in the US since 1970. The FVR is also one of only seven miniature-scale replica steam-powered railroads still in public operation. I found this place while looking for something to do with my 4-year-old while we visited relatives here in Folsom. We....errrr....he is a huge fan of trains. So, this seemed like a perfect way to kill some time. Here are the details: Parking- There is plenty of street parking available, if you can find it. Otherwise, there are two free parking lots: the primary one by the library and zoo, and there's an overflow lot also available by Rodeo Park at the end of Stafford St. Once you're parked, just follow the signage and enjoy. Train Ride: Cost- The ride cost is $3/person--cash, or credit (with a 75¢ processing fee). Duration- The website claims that the ride is 10 minutes long, but I actually timed it -because, I'm awesome!- and from opening whistle to final whistle it was just under 6 minutes (5:53.24, if you must know). Length- The track is, purportedly, 3/4-mile long, and unfortunately, I didn't pack my survey-grade GPS unit with me, so I'll have to take their word for it. Employees- There seemed to be only one gentleman running the whole show; he was the ticket booth operator, ticket checker, Train Engineer, and maintenance. He was a really nice guy who was working his butt off to ensure a nice time was had by all. He's also a former photography teacher, so don't be afraid to ask him to take a pic of you--and if you're really nice he might even show you a trick, or two, with your phone. The FVR was cool, but the ride was way too short and not as good a value as others we've been on; Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad (Los Gatos) and McCormick-Stillman (Scottsdale) are still the cream of the crop, but the FVR is still solid choice. I'd give it a 3-star, but my son would definitely give it a five--so we'll split the difference. All aboard!

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    6 days ago

    I rode this as a kid back in the 80s and love taking my son now. Staff/owners are very friendly.

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    3 months ago

    So fun. Quick. Kids will want to ride multiple times! We spent a good amount of $ there but well worth it!

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

    $3 each for me and my 11 months old so $6. The ride is awesome in so many ways. The conductor has a huge personality

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    Ask the Community - Folsom Valley Railway

    What are your days open and hours?

    Thu Fri Sat Sun 09:00 - 3:00

    Do we need to buy tickets online or can we pay cash there?

    for small groups you can buy them at the train station

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Folsom Valley Railway

    From the moment we arrived, he was excited just seeing the train, and once we got on, he was completely hooked.

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

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    The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary - Linguine the California Kingsnake

    The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary

    4.3(292 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    The Folsom Zoo is a charming hidden gem located near Old Town Folsom. At just $10 for admission, it…read moreoffers great value and is a wonderful place to spend a few hours enjoying a leisurely walk while getting up close to a variety of animals. What makes this zoo unique is its collection of rescued wild and domestic animals that you may not typically encounter at larger commercial zoos. It's both educational and enjoyable, making it a great destination for animal lovers of all ages. If you're looking for a relaxing way to spend the morning before heading to brunch, this is an excellent stop. Both kids and adults will find plenty to enjoy, and you might even learn something new along the way. As an added bonus, the public library is located right next door, making it easy to turn your visit into a quiet, family-friendly outing. Overall, it's a peaceful and enjoyable attraction that's well worth a visit when you're in Folsom.

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    4.8(69 reviews)
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    I heard about this spot a couple years back from my SIL but never made the time to go. Now that my…read morethree youngest kids eat strawberries like they're candy and it was Mother's Day it seemed like the best time to go! Although, it was a bit of a drive for us coming from Sacramento/Elk Grove we were able to maximize our time there. The strawberry farm is family owned and located not too far from other businesses in the area if you wanted to find something to eat or find somewhere else to hang out afterwards. There was a food truck, Laopino, that had delicious lumpias, music, a bubble machine, plus a few games and activities to keep the little ones occupied, and shaded tables to enjoy your fresh harvests. :) Tickets are only available online. Weekend tickets are released on Thursdays at 7 pm. When choosing our date and time it shows we only had an hour to pick but really we got to take our time and enjoy our morning. I feel they show you have a one hour slot to help stagger guests in. I love how they had a little gift shop set up, another tent with fresh flowers, drinks, and beautiful cookies at the register to purchase. The strawberry fields had plenty to choose from. We saw lots of bright red ones varying from all sizes. The staff also informed us there were 6 types of strawberries being grown! My kids enjoyed only for a short while and mainly wanted to stay in the kid area. There are also plenty of photo ops on the farm too! We would absolutely return in the future. Highly recommend!

    I saw Granny Mays on an Insta ad and I immediately clicked on it to make a rezie! My daughter…read moreLOVES, I'm talking about lovesssss strawberries so picking fresh berries is right up our activity alley. Being able to include her in picking the strawberries then taking them home to eat fresh off the vine was everything and more. On the day we went (reservation on a Saturday from 10-11am) the cost for adults was $12 per person. This includes a small basket per person. They offer 6 different varieties of strawberries, yup you read that right. I had no idea there were more than one variety, so this educational part was cool. The farm can get crowded and with this Sac heat, I highly recommend scheduling your reservation early and on a weekday. The farm is family owned and everyone is so nice. Would absolutely recommend this idea to families with your kiddos.

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    Folsom Valley Railway - zoos - Updated September 2026

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