Located in north-central California’s Placer County, Roseville is a city of about 140,000 residents that’s officially part of the Sacramento Metropolitan Area.
Roseville’s location along Interstate 80 offers guests relatively easy access to many of the state’s premier attractions. It’s equidistant between the Pacific Ocean to the west and Reno, Nevada, to the east.
For much of the year, the weather in Roseville is perfect for outdoor activities, though in the winter, it’s mostly cold and wet.
Below are 15 fun and engaging things to do in and around Roseville, California that warrant a look when in the area.
1. Roseville Historical Society Carnegie Museum
Source: YankeeSpirit / Wikimedia | CC BY-SA 3.0Though they often get overlooked in favor of more touristy attractions, local historical society museums are great places to spend an hour or two for those looking to familiarize themselves with a new area’s history.
The Roseville Historical Society’s Carnegie Museum is located on Lincoln Street and features an impressive collection of memorabilia relating to Roseville and Placer County’s past.
Items on display include vintage maps and photographs and first-hand accounts of those who lived, worked, and died in the area in ages long past.
Check their hours online or give them a call before making a special trip.
2. Miner’s Ravine Trail Loop
Source: FolsomNatural / Flickr | CC BYLocal parks and hiking trails are great options for activity-minded travelers looking to experience the great outdoors without spending an arm and a leg and traveling to large state and national parks in faraway parts of the state.
Miner’s Ravine Trail Loop is located along Sierra College Boulevard in Roseville. It is flat enough to accommodate baby strollers and walkers of most ages and levels of physical ability.
Despite its convenient urban setting, it’s common to see a variety of birds and wildlife from the trail. Since it’s a loop, first-time visitors don’t need to worry about getting lost.
3. Denio Swap Meet
Source: Robert Couse-Baker / Flickr | CC BYThe Denio Swap Meet has been one of Roseville’s most iconic attractions since it was founded by a local entrepreneur more than 70 years ago.
Though it started small with just a few vendors selling mostly produce, over the years, it has expanded into one of the region’s largest swap meets.
The meet is comprised of numerous vendors selling everything from fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables and prepared food items, to arts, crafts, and housewares.
Denio’s is located on Vineyard Road in Roseville and is a fun, family-friendly activity that’s worth checking out – even for those who aren’t particularly interested in buying anything.
4. Diamond Oaks Golf Course
Source: Kati Finell / shutterstockUnlike its traditional 18-hole counterparts, Diamond Oaks Golf Course features two distinct courses popular with rookie and experienced golfers of all ages.
The Timber Creek course features 18 scenic holes that meld the area’s stunning natural beauty with sand and water hazards, treed areas, and well-manicured fairways and greens.
There’s also a more recent 9-hole addition that’s perfect for the elderly, those playing with kids, and diehard golfers without the three to four hours it typically takes to play a full round.
The clubhouse is located on Del Webb Boulevard in Roseville. Lessons are available for those who need professional guidance before hitting the links.
5. Fountains at Roseville
Source: ZikG / shutterstockWhether you’re looking to fill your empty stomach after a long day on your feet, or want to treat yourself to a few impulse purchases to satisfy that retail therapy yen, you’ll likely find what you’re looking for at the Fountains at Roseville.
One of the area’s premier retail attractions, it’s a great place to spend a few morning, afternoon, or evening hours out of the often harsh California elements.
The Fountains’ retailers include trendy clothes shops like Chicos and Anthropologie, and popular national chain eateries serving everything from classic steaks and burgers to pizza, salads, seafood, craft beers, and gourmet coffee.
6. Maidu Museum & Historic Site
Source: Rojer / Flickr | CC BYEspecially for out of state visitors, learning about the Golden State’s Native American cultures and history is a fun, educational, and engaging activity.
The Maidu Museum and Historic Site are two of the area’s most prominent attractions. They include archaeological ruins as well as a variety of items on display that give visitors interesting glimpses into the lives of Native Americans in centuries past.
Previous guests have noted that the museum’s staff and docents were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and helpful, and that even children with short attention spans had a great time.
The facility is located on Johnson Ranch Drive in Roseville, and includes a one-mile outdoor loop interpretive trail.
7. Dutch Bros. Coffee
Source: ErvenK / shutterstockFor diehard caffeine junkies who prefer to enjoy their coffee on the run, Dutch Bros. Coffee on Baseline Road in Roseville is a great fit.
Dutch Bros. has multiple locations in many of the country’s western states. They’re particularly well-known for their hip young staff, abundant menu items, and efficient drive-thru service, which accounts for most of their business.
If you’ll be in the area for a while, you’ll want to ask about their loyal customer cards. They offer a big selection of non-coffee drinks, including juice, tea, soda, and smoothies.
Dutch Bros. was established in 1992 and donate a portion of all proceeds to worthwhile charitable causes.
8. My Thai Kitchen
Source: My Thai Kitchen / FacebookFor immigrants from all over the world, California represents the epitome of the American Dream.
The Golden State is home to an amazing diversity of cultures and ethnicities. Even in relatively rural areas, it’s common to find restaurants that feature exotic cuisines from far-flung corners of the globe.
My Thai Kitchen is located on Eureka Road in Roseville. It sports a delectable assortment of Thai and Southeast Asian-inspired dishes made with fresh local ingredients.
The restaurant’s executive chef has worked in exclusive restaurants in both Thailand and India, so expect to be wowed with vibrant dishes incorporating both traditional and contemporary elements.
9. Moksa Brewing Co.
Source: Moksa Brewing Company / FacebookLocated just a few kilometers northeast of Roseville along Interstate 80, Rocklin is a quaint town that’s home to one of the area’s most popular craft breweries.
Though it’s small compared to many of its competitors, Moksa Brewing Co. produces nearly two dozen distinct beers in its microbrewery. They run the gamut from hoppy IPAs and refreshing lagers to dark and hearty porters and stouts.
Since it was established in 2017, Moksa has attracted a loyal following for its hip and laidback environment, use of traditional recipes and innovative production methods, and the tasty food served from several gourmet food trucks that often grace the parking lot.
10. Crocker Art Museum
Source: imageAllan / shutterstockOver the years, the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento has grown into one of the state’s most impressive collections of historic art.
It all started in the late 1860s, when a well-to-do local judge and his wife began collecting individual works from around the state, country, and overseas.
In addition to its permanent collection, the museum offers other programs throughout the year, so it’s a good idea to check out their website’s calendar of events before making the 30-minute drive from Roseville.
Most guests choose to experience the museum as part of one of the regularly scheduled guided tours led by experienced docents.
11. Beat the Room
Source: graletta / shutterstockFor those looking for a unique and fun-filled activity in which they’ll use teamwork, problem-solving skills, and amateur sleuth tactics to solve crimes, Beat the Room in Rocklin is just the ticket.
Beat the Room can accommodate teams of up to nine participants, but special arrangements can be made for much larger groups.
The facility is less than five kilometers from Roseville and includes a number of distinctly themed rooms, one of which mimics Sherlock Holmes’ immortalized London apartment on Baker Street.
Sessions usually take about an hour. They are great activities for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, team-building exercises, and multi-couple date nights.
12. California State Railroad Museum
Source: Sundry Photography / shutterstockDuring the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the railroads played significant roles in California’s development.
Now, the state’s economy is the largest in the country, and the railroads still handle a significant portion of its freight, which ranges from locally grown produce to millions of tons of imported goods that pass through its busy ports every year.
The California State Railroad Museum is located on I Street in Sacramento, about 25 minutes southwest of Roseville. It features more than 200,000 square feet of exhibit space.
Included are restored locomotives and rolling stock, interactive exhibits, and Old West memorabilia from when the state was largely undeveloped.
13. California State Capitol Museum
Source: Sundry Photography / shutterstockAs California’s state capital, the city of Sacramento offers abundant options for visitors interested in learning about the area’s history.
The California State Capitol Museum is located downtown on 10th Street. Depending on traffic, it is usually just a 30 or 40-minute drive from Roseville.
The facility’s grounds include the California Legislature building that dates back over 150 years, a visitor’s center and theater, and dozens of acres of gardens featuring plants, trees, and flowers from around the world.
Guided public tours are offered regularly, and large group and school tours can be arranged as well.
14. Westfield Galleria at Roseville
Source: ZikG / shutterstockThough California is most well-known for its ultra-swank shopping districts in LA, Beverly Hills, and Malibu, it does have its fair share of shopping venues suitable for average working people of relatively modest means.
Westfield Galleria at Roseville has been described as contemporary, spacious, and clean. It features a variety of stores selling everything from baby clothes, sporting goods, and women’s shoes, to books, electronics, and housewares.
Macy’s and Nordstrom are a few of the more notable anchors, and there are many dining options and a movie theater onsite.
Westfield Galleria is conveniently located near the junction of Interstate 80 and California Route 65 in the downtown area.
15. Maidu Regional Park
Source: ray_explores / Flickr | CC BYAt more than 150 acres, Maidu Regional Park offers energetic and outdoorsy types a variety of recreation options.
Though it’s probably most well-known as the home of the aforementioned Native American museum and historic site, it also features lots of wide-open spaces and sports amenities, like batting cages, basketball courts, playground equipment, and a dedicated skate park.
The park is located in central Roseville. It includes several well-marked paths that are open to walkers and bikers, covered seating areas, a Veteran’s Memorial and rose garden, and a library and community center.
