Looking for unique guided tours in and around Folsom, California? Folsom makes a great home base for exploring stories you might otherwise miss. Beyond the well-known trails, lakes, and historic districts, the region is filled with guided tours that open the door to Gold Rush landmarks, haunted streets, working farms, wineries, and one of a kind historic sites. These experiences are perfect for curious locals, weekend visitors, group outings, or anyone who likes to go a little deeper than the usual stop and see.
Gold Discovery Tour at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park - Coloma
Step back to the moment that changed California forever with a guided walking tour at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. This 45-minute tour shares the story of the Coloma Valley before and after James Marshall’s discovery of gold, which sparked the California Gold Rush. Along the way, visitors learn about the events leading up to the discovery, the history of the Gold Rush, and the town of Coloma. Tours are offered daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., weather and event schedule permitting.
Wakamatsu Farm Tours - Near Coloma
Just south of Coloma, Wakamatsu Farm offers a powerful look at California’s Japanese American history. Established in 1869, the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony was the first Japanese colony in the United States. The historic site is also known as the birthplace of the first Japanese American and the gravesite of the first Japanese immigrant woman buried in the United States. Visitors can explore the property through private docent-led group tours or during seasonal Open Farm Days, with proceeds supporting the preservation of Wakamatsu Farm.
Moonlight Ghost Tours - Folsom & Placerville
For visitors who like their history with a mysterious twist, Moonlight Tours offers several guided experiences throughout the region. The Folsom Ghost Tour: Shadows of Sutter Street explores Historic Folsom at sunset with ghost stories, railroad history, local legends, and tales from the city’s mysterious past. In Placerville, guests can choose from haunted Main Street tours, interactive paranormal experiences at Placerville Union Cemetery, or the Wicked Wednesday Wine Walk, which pairs local wine with chilling stories of haunted buildings and unexplained encounters.
Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park Tours - Folsom
Go behind the scenes at one of the oldest and best-preserved hydroelectric plants in the United States. Docent-led tours at Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park explore the turbines, generators, control boards, and engineering that helped transmit alternating current electricity over long distances to Sacramento. Tours may also include rarely opened areas such as the machine shop and Lower Powerhouse. It’s a fascinating stop for visitors interested in innovation, history, engineering, and the early days of electricity in California.
Wise Villa Winery Wine Education Tours - Lincoln
Wine lovers can take a deeper dive into the winemaking process with educational tours at Wise Villa Winery. The winery tour, led by Dr. Lee, offers a fun and engaging look at the long history of wine, from Europe thousands of years ago to the modern bottle. Guests can also join a vineyard tour led by Vineyard Manager Cleveland Speece, walking among the vines to learn about the seasonal life cycle of the vineyard and the hands-on farming practices behind each bottle. Tour topics change throughout the year based on what is happening in the vineyard. Guest will never look at another bottle of wine in the same way again.
La Bella Vito Farm Tours - Loomis
Step into the beauty and rhythm of farm life with a guided tour at La Bella Vito Farm. Visitors can walk through seasonal flower fields, meet goats, pigs, and chickens, and get a behind-the-scenes look at daily farm life. Tours share how the farm grows flowers, cares for animals, and creates a welcoming experience for families, flower lovers, and curious visitors of all ages. It’s a charming, hands-on outing designed to educate, inspire, and delight.
Old Town Auburn Walking Tour - Auburn
Explore the Gold Rush-era stories of Placer County on a free docent-led walking tour of Old Town Auburn. Offered every Saturday at 9:30 a.m., this one-hour tour begins inside the Historic Courthouse on Maple Street before heading into the historic district. Trained volunteers from Placer County Museums share stories of the people, places, and events that shaped the area, using historic photographs to bring each stop to life. No reservation is needed for individuals, though groups should call ahead.
**Tour times, pricing, and availability may change, so be sure to check directly with each location before you go.
