Looking for family-friendly fun and outdoor beauty near Sacramento? Visit Rocklin, California! With scenic parks, rich railroad history, local dining, and easy access to Sierra foothills adventures, Rocklin blends suburban charm with Northern California recreation—perfect for a relaxing weekend or a day trip off the beaten path.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Rocklin is during the spring and fall (March–May and September–November). These seasons bring mild temperatures, perfect for hiking, park days, and enjoying community events. Summers are hot but great for splash pads and indoor activities.

How to Get There

  • By Car: Rocklin is located along I-80, about 25 minutes northeast of Sacramento and 2 hours from Lake Tahoe or San Francisco.
  • By Train: Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor line stops at Rocklin Station, with service to Sacramento, the Bay Area, and beyond.
  • By Air: Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the nearest major airport, about 30 minutes away by car.

Where to Stay

  • Staybridge Suites Rocklin – Spacious rooms with kitchens, plus a pool and free breakfast.
  • Holiday Inn Express Rocklin - Galleria Area – Comfortable stay near shopping and restaurants in neighboring Roseville.
  • Rocklin Park Hotel – Quaint hotel with a rustic-lodge vibe near the Sierra College campus.

Top Attractions

Crack Codes and Race the Clock at Beat the Room

Crack Codes and Race the Clock at Beat the Room

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Beat the Room is a fun-filled family-friendly experience whereby contestants have to escape a room by using clues, tips, puzzles, and games. One of two escape rooms in the region, Beat the Room Rocklin is designed for up to eight people and include several different themed rooms, including ‘221b Baker Street’ where players have to work on a case with Sherlock Holmes and Scotland Yard; ‘Captain’s Quarters’ which features a shipwreck and pirates in the 1700s; and ‘The Initiation’ which involves a powerful secret society. A large, bright lobby provides ample comfortable seating, board games and water for players who are waiting to play and Beat the Room can cater for private parties of up to 60 people.

Beat the Room, 100, 6840 Five Star Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95677, Phone: 916-259-2432

Bowl, Game, and Chill with Friends at Strikes Unlimited

Bowl, Game, and Chill with Friends at Strikes Unlimited

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Strikes Unlimited is a family-friendly bowling alley in the heart of Rocklin that features 50 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, the Halftime Bar & Grill restaurant, live music, and a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Located on Lonetree Boulevard, Strikes Unlimited hosts a bowling league for professional players, and a national summer program called Kids Bowl Free that allows kids to bowl two free games every day during the summer. The Halftime Bar & Grill is a buzzing sports bar at the alley that serves lunch and dinner, along with an extensive list of premium liquors and beers on tap, and hosts live music and dancing at the nightclub throughout the week.

Strikes Unlimited, 5681 Lonetree Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95765, Phone: 916-626-3600

Play Scenic Rounds at Whitney Oaks Golf Club

Play Scenic Rounds at Whitney Oaks Golf Club

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The Whitney Oaks Golf Club is a par 71, 18-hole golf course in Rocklin that offers a championship layout and challenging game for all levels of golfer. Designed by professional golf legend Johnny Miller and architect Fred Bliss, the golf course is owned and operated by the United Auburn Indian Community and features an ever-changing topography of enormous granite outcroppings, well-placed bunkers, dense tracts of majestic live oaks, and large and undulating bent grass greens. Facilities at the club include a 15-station grass driving range, a practice chipping and putting green and pitching area, immaculate green and fairways, a casual restaurant serving light fare and drinks, a pro shop, and lessons from onsite pro golfers.

Whitney Oaks Golf Club, 2305 Clubhouse Dr, Rocklin, CA 95765, Phone: 916-632-8333

Bounce, Laser, and Let Loose at Xtreme Craze

Bounce, Laser, and Let Loose at Xtreme Craze

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Located in the Blue Oaks Town Center, Xtreme Craze is a premium Laser Tag and Family Entertainment Center that features a state-of-the-art 7,000 square foot multi-level laser tag arena. The 18,000 square foot double-story arena boasts enough space for up to 46 people to play the fast-paced high-tech game of laser tag, which involves hiding, seeking, tagging and capturing a flag, and the latest real-time scoring provides up-to-date scoring. The center also features a games arcade with numerous games and fun prizes, and a CrazyZone with huge inflatable slides, mazes, and obstacles for children of all ages. The CrazeCafé serves all-American fare and drinks such as fresh, made-to-order pizza, snacks, chips, candy, fountain drinks, and bottled beverages, and there are large screen televisions and high-speed wireless Internet.

Xtreme Craze , 6694 Lonetree Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95765, Phone: 916-259-2729

Climb, Explore, and Reflect at Quarry Park’s Unique Terrain

Climb, Explore, and Reflect at Quarry Park’s Unique Terrain

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Quarry Park is a tranquil urban park in the center of Rocklin that provides a gathering place for the community and a picturesque setting for a variety of events, concerts, and performances. The park is also home to an adventure park that features a wealth of fun activities such as rock-climbing, ziplining, and an elevated rope-course, as well as several nature trails for hiking and mountain biking, an amphitheater, and plenty of fantastic picnic spots. Quarry Park is open seven days a week, year-round.

4000 Rocklin Road, Rocklin, CA 95677

Take Aim and Sharpen Skills at Wilderness Archery Inc.

Take Aim and Sharpen Skills at Wilderness Archery Inc.

© Wilderness Archery Inc.

Wilderness Archery Inc. is family-owned and operated business that serves the archery enthusiast’s needs. Established in 1958, Wilderness Archery, Inc. supplies a wealth of archery-related equipment and gear, as well as apparel, accessories and more. The business also has a Wilderness Archery Academy, which offers archery training services for students of all skill levels, using the most effective and innovative training techniques and strategies to teach students and guests all about archery. Wilderness Archery, Inc has a well-lit indoor range with several lanes for visitors to try their hand at archery, members to practice and students to have lessons, and hosts an archery league.

4870 Pacific St, Rocklin, CA 95677, Phone: 916-630-8700

Raise a Glass of Bold Flavor at Moksa Brewing Co.

Raise a Glass of Bold Flavor at Moksa Brewing Co.

© Moksa Brewing Co.

Moksa Brewing Co. is a small independent craft brewery that produces a variety of complex, hop-heavy IPAs, pale ales, kolshs and endless variations of lagers, porters, and stouts in a range of styles. Established in 2017, Moksa Brewing Co. occupies a 5,000 square foot space on Pacific Street; Moksa Brewing Co. aims to produce innovative beers that draw inspiration from classic beer styles and traditional brewery philosophies. The 3,000 square foot taproom offers an enjoyable environment in which to taste and enjoy up to 24 beers made in-house and served on tap or by the bottle, along with delicious fare from several food trucks that visit the brewery on a regular basis.

5860 Pacific St, Rocklin, CA 95677, Phone: 916-824-1366

Where to Eat

Paint, Sip, and Create at The Art Bistro

Paint, Sip, and Create at The Art Bistro

© The Art Bistro

The Art Bistro is a do-it-yourself social art studio that offers an open studio for artists and budding artisans to paint, draw, make ceramics and more, along with art lessons and a casual bistro that serves light fare and drinks. The Make & Take DIY Open Studio is open for people to create artworks from painting on canvas, creating wood signs and home décor, glassware or pottery, collage, clay, and mosaics. The studio also offers guided painting classes, and other workshops in a variety of other art mediums for all ages, and is available to rent for special events and functions, such as birthdays and team-building. The Art Bistro café serves a variety of casual fare such as gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, tasty cheese plates, and artisan pizzas along with craft beers, wine and soft drinks for lunch and dinner.

6848 Five Star Blvd #6, Rocklin, CA 95677, Phone: 916-472-0252

Treat Your Tastebuds to a Culinary Experience at The Chef’s Table

Treat Your Tastebuds to a Culinary Experience at The Chef’s Table

© The Chef's Table

The Chef's Table is an intimate, unpretentious eatery and bar that serves innovative takes on standard burgers and other classic American bites in a casual and personal setting. Newly expanded with a full-service bar, the cozy eatery feels like a secret hideaway and diners can reserve a table for dinner or sit at the bar and watch the bustling goings on. The seasonal menu features dishes that focus on locally sourced farm-fresh ingredients, and include appetizers like beer-battered pesto fries, main dishes like house-smoked barbecue pork sliders and fried chicken and desserts like warm bacon brownies with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. The Chef’s Table is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday.

6843 Lonetree Blvd #103, Rocklin, CA 95765, Phone: 916-771-5656

Attractions for First Time Visitors

  • Quarry Park Adventures – Zip lines, rock climbing, paddleboats, and more in a scenic outdoor adventure park built into a former granite quarry.
  • Johnson-Springview Park – A huge community park with sports fields, a skate park, playgrounds, and nature trails.
  • Rocklin Historical Museum – Learn about Rocklin’s railroad and granite-quarrying history in this charming local museum.
  • Sierra College Natural History Museum – Family-friendly exhibits featuring fossils, minerals, and regional wildlife.
  • Folsom Lake – Just a short drive away, perfect for boating, swimming, and lakeside picnics.

More Places to Eat

  • Granite Rock Grill – Homestyle breakfast and lunch spot with generous portions and a cozy atmosphere.
  • Caffé Santoro – Casual café and coffee bar known for friendly service and excellent espresso drinks.

Local Events

  • Rocklin Quarry Park Concert Series (Summer) – Live music under the stars in a unique quarry amphitheater setting.
  • Rocklin Mini Maker Faire (Fall) – A celebration of creativity, tech, crafts, and local inventors.
  • Tree Lighting Festival (December) – Holiday celebration with music, food trucks, kids’ activities, and a Christmas tree lighting downtown.

Day Trips Within 30 Minutes of Rocklin, California

  • Roseville (10 min) – Shop at Westfield Galleria, explore museums, or dine downtown.
  • Lincoln (15 min) – Visit local wineries, golf courses, and the historic downtown district.
  • Loomis (10 min) – Stroll quaint streets, browse antique shops, and enjoy farm-to-table cafes.
  • Granite Bay (15 min) – Relax at Folsom Lake beaches, hike trails, or bike scenic routes.
  • Auburn (25 min) – Explore Gold Rush history, art galleries, and the charming Old Town Auburn.
  • Citrus Heights (20 min) – Shop, dine, or catch a show at the Sunrise Marketplace.
  • Folsom (25–30 min) – Walk the historic district, visit Folsom Prison Museum, or bike the American River Trail.
  • Fair Oaks (30 min) – Discover the village center, feed wild chickens, and enjoy local cafés and parks.
  • Penryn (10 min) – Visit the Griffith Quarry Museum and enjoy peaceful rural landscapes.
  • Rocklin Quarry Park (5 min) – Enjoy zip lines, paddle boats, and concerts in this adventure-filled city park.

FAQ

  • Question: Where is Rocklin located?
  • Answer: Located in California’s South Placer County, Rocklin boasts rolling hilly terrain with 360-degree panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada and Sutter-Butte mountains.
  • Question: What recreational opportunities does Rocklin offer?
  • Answer: Rocklin offers abundant recreational opportunities and lots to see and do. It is a short drive from Folsom Lake, Sacramento, and less than two hours from Lake Tahoe, the Bay Area, and the Pacific Ocean.

At a Glance


Best Time to Visit Places to Stay Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Pleasant temperatures and blooming wildflowers. Staybridge Suites Rocklin - Roseville – A comfortable extended-stay hotel. Explore Quarry Park Adventures – Try zip-lining, rock climbing, and rope courses in an old granite quarry.
Summer (June-August) – Warm and great for outdoor activities. Holiday Inn Express Rocklin – A budget-friendly stay with easy highway access. Cool off at SunSplash Water Park – Enjoy water slides and a lazy river in nearby Roseville.
Fall (September-November) – Mild weather, fall foliage, and seasonal events. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Rocklin – A stylish and modern stay. Visit the Rocklin History Museum – Learn about the city's granite-mining history.
Winter (December-February) – Cool temperatures with nearby winter recreation. Comfort Inn & Suites Rocklin – A cozy and convenient stay. Take a day trip to the Sierra Nevada – Go skiing or snowboarding at resorts like Boreal or Northstar.

Plan Your Trip


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