Family-Friendly Weekend Trip to Roseville

May 27, 2021

By Gennifer Rose
https://www.genniferrose.com

A weekend getaway to Roseville is the type of vacation where you can take it slow and spend quality time as a family. Roseville is known for its family atmosphere and community with a small town feel with big city perks. The older areas of the city are filled with history and charm while the newer regions have all kinds of amusement parks, outdoor recreation and entertainment for all ages. Roseville has the perfect balance between embracing their history while still providing a modern travel experience with all the amenities visitors look for.

Being that Roseville is a 2-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area, this inland destination is an ideal place to escape the fog and warm up with higher temperatures and summer sunshine. Pleasant weather is a favorite feature of this city which makes outdoor living year round a true possibility. Roseville has a mediterranean climate with four distinct seasons, so you’ll find blossoms in the spring, hot dry summers, fall foliage in autumn and mild winters.

Roseville is the largest city in Placer County and is growing fast with new constructions and venues opening up. For families with young children this means that the walking paths are smooth and wide – very stroller friendly! For the logistical planning of your trip, you will need a car to get around because the landscape is fairly spread out. But not to worry because you won’t have to drive very far to your activities and destinations.

Roseville Amusement Parks

Roseville has no shortage of ways to keep the kids entertained. For a smaller city they have an impressive amount of amusement parks and venues for play. In the summer they have outdoor water parks and in the colder months there’s plenty to do indoors.

Below I’ve compiled a list of top locales for adventure and play:

Downtown Roseville

The downtown streets of Roseville have recently become one of the top destinations in the city with new renovations and revitalization projects.

Roseville’s Old Town is located within Downtown’s city blocks. Lincoln and Pacific were the prominent streets in the old days and they have been restored to their former glory with new shops and restaurants. The Vernon Street Town Square was revamped and opened up 2013 and has since become a gathering spot with concerts, festivals and kids programs.

Downtown also has a new Bridges and Trails Project which connects six-miles of off-street trails from Sierra College Blvd through downtown. These new walking paths make the area more walkable and connected, which means you can enjoy more leisurely strolls outside. The new pedestrian bridge connects Royer Park and the Vernon Street Town Square

Food Truck Mania is back this summer, every third Thursday from June to September featuring a delicious range of gourmet food trucks, live music and kids zone.

Where to Eat with the Kids

As a parent myself I know it can be tricky to find child-friendly places to eat, especially if your kids are picky eaters like mine! My top Roseville meal time recommendations have kids menus and some fun treats to indulge during your vacation.

  • John’s Incredible Pizza Co. – An indoor arcade and carnival alongside a pizzeria.
  • Bad Bakers – Modern bakery serving donuts, hot dogs, empanadas and more.
  • PlacerGROWN Farmers’ Market – Open year-round at The Fountains. Support local farmers and food vendors with freshly picked produce and food options.
  • Yardhouse – Located at The Fountains, this American eatery is family-friendly and offers a kids menu.
  • Cantina Laredo – Find fresh Mexican eats inside the Westfield Galleria. They have a kids menu with shirley temple drinks!
  • Burger Lounge –  Located at The Fountains, find grass-fed burgers and fries and more. Their kids menu has several options and ice cream for dessert.
  • Four Score Coffee – Get your caffeine fix at this modern downtown coffee shop. They have hot chocolate for the kiddos!
  • The Monk’s Cellar – A local microbrewery serving elated pub food and artisanal beers. If you’d like to enjoy some adult beverages with the kiddos in tow,  Monk’s welcomes families with children and they even have a kid’s menu.
  • Tandoori Nights – I have to include this hole-in-the-wall Indian eatery because it is one of my husband’s all-time favorite restaurants. He always orders the chicken biryani and I love their samosas and chana masala. My toddler daughter likes to nibble on their naan bread with a mango lassi drink in hand.

Family-Friendly Outdoor Recreation in Roseville

Roseville has been rated one of the healthiest cities in the United States. This is largely due to the fact that there’s so many outdoor recreational areas to maintain an active lifestyle. From relaxing stroller walks along the nature trails to water sports such as boating and kayaking, everyone can take advantage of Roseville’s pleasant weather.

For our outdoor picnics in Roseville we like to pick up provisions for the adults and the kids from either Whole Foods or Trader Joes. We get salads, sandwiches, snacks and water for the road.

See our favorite Roseville spots to enjoy the outdoors:

  • Folsom Lake – You can rent pontoon fishing boats or kayaks to enjoy out on the lake. There’s also swimming on the sandy beach at Beal’s Point in Granite Bay.
  • Pleasant Grove Creek Walking Trail – This trail runs for 5.6 miles and is rated easy for all skill levels. You’ll see views of the river and dogs are welcome on a leash.
  • Dry Creek Trail – This trail runs for 3.5 miles and is rated easy for all skill levels. This is a paved trail so you can easily push your stroller.
  • Maidu Regional Park – This very large park is the gem of the city with over 150 acres filled with walking trails, playgrounds, a library, and even a rose garden.
  • Miner’s Ravine Walking Trail – This trail runs for 8.8 miles and is also rated easy for all skill levels. This longer trail is ideal for family-friendly bike rides and hiking.

Where to Go Shopping in Roseville

Roseville is known as a shopping destination for the entire metro Sacramento area. Whether you prefer the traditional mall shopping experience or you’re looking for alternative options such as a swap meet, you’ll find it in Roseville.

  • The Fountains – A premium outdoor shopping center with popular stores such as Sephora, J. Crew, Anthropologie and Sur La Table. For the small children there’s train rides, a playground and the Splash Pad.
  • Creekside Shopping Center – An outdoor shopping center with brands such as Old Navy, Bath and Body Works, Burlington, Marshalls, Cold Stone and Jamba Juice.
  • Westfield Galleria – A large indoor mall with a carousel and bowling alley inside coming soon. My favorite stores include Coach, Lululemon, Madewell, Banana Republic, Crate & Barrel, H&M and more!
  • Denios Market – Open every weekend, this farmers market and swap meet is a community favorite.
  • Antique Trove – Indoor antique mall where you can shop for treasures from the past.

A Few Noteworthy Spots for the Adults

If you’re lucky enough to score some childcare during your vacation and you’re looking for more adult oriented places to visit, Roseville has world class golfing, dining and museums.

Where to Stay in Roseville

And finally we come to finding overnight accommodations during your visit to Roseville. Each hotel listed below has different amenities which families traveling with children might find useful.

  • Extended Stay America – Has a full kitchen to cook and wash dishes.
  • Hyatt Place – Upscale digs with a pool with an onsite coffee shop.
  • Hilton Garden Inn – Conveniently located across from Golfland Sunsplash and easy access to other attractions.
  • A full list of Roseville/South Placer hotels can be found here.