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We have officially reached that magical, chaotic week where the school year wraps up and summer takes over. You can practically feel the collective sigh of relief from kids across town, even if parents are scrambling to figure out camp schedules and activity calendars.
If you want to celebrate the milestone with something sweet, Cold Stone in El Dorado Hills is doing free face painting and kid friendly deals this Thursday to kick off the break. We are also tracking plenty of ways to keep everyone entertained this weekend without staring at a screen, from morning markets to some pretty unique outdoor activities. Grab an iced coffee and dive into this week's lineup.
Fair Oaks Nonprofit Earns Top State Honor
The Gist: Meristem, a Fair Oaks program serving neurodiverse young adults ages 18 to 28, has been named 2026 Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 7 by Assemblyman Josh Hoover. The 13-acre campus helps students on the autism spectrum build life skills through hands-on learning, including running a café and managing budgets.
Why It Matters: Meristem is quietly shaping futures right here in our community, giving local young adults the tools to live independently and thrive.
Palladio Heats Up With Summer Fun for All Ages
The Gist: Folsom's Palladio is rolling out a packed summer lineup of free, family-friendly events. From Saturday morning yoga and Tot Tuesday story time to weekly farmers markets and a 70s disco party on June 6, there's something for every age in the Piazza.
Why It Matters: Free, walkable community events right in the heart of Folsom mean more ways to gather, get outside, and skip the screen time this summer.
What's Next: Check the full schedule and event details at gopalladio.com.
A neighborhood standby that still hits
879 Embarcadero Dr, El Dorado Hills, CA
El Dorado Saloon & Grill feels like the kind of place people in El Dorado Hills keep in their back pocket for a reason. The restaurant calls itself a neighborhood destination for families and friends, and that tracks. It is casual, local, and set up for the kind of meal where nobody feels rushed out the door.
The menu gives you plenty to work with. El Dorado Nachos come loaded with house-made chips, beans, cheese, jalapeños, pico, guacamole, and your choice of meat, while the chili is built with Certified Angus beef, smoked tri-tip, beans, and the usual comfort-food finishers on top. That is a pretty solid start for the kind of dinner where everyone wants something different and nobody wants to overthink it.
It is also one of those places where the patio and bar make it easy to turn a quick meal into a longer evening if the mood is right.
A Folsom shop that still feels personal
2780 East Bidwell Street, Suite 300, Folsom, CA
Spotted Dog Yoga & SUP is one of those businesses that feels especially right for Folsom. It is a local studio with yoga classes in town and stand-up paddleboard yoga on Lake Natoma, which is a pretty good match for a place that already leans hard into outdoor life.
What makes it easy to feature is that it is not just a class schedule. The studio leans into movement, community, and getting people out on the water in a way that feels very Folsom instead of generic. Folsom Times also recently noted that the studio is launching its eighth season of SUP Yoga on Lake Natoma, which says a lot about how well it has found its lane.
If you know someone who likes the idea of fitness more when it involves sunshine and a paddleboard, this is probably already their kind of place.
Skip the Resort. Stay in a Centuries-Old Sicilian Village Instead.
Casa Gratteri offers beautifully restored homes in Gratteri, a hidden mountain town in Sicily with sweeping views, deep history, and zero crowds. Full concierge service, a private chef on request, and modern finishes throughout. This is the kind of trip people talk about for the rest of their lives.
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🍦 Last Day of School | Cold Stone Creamery | El Dorado Hills | 05/28 | More
Sweet scoops, free face painting, and kid-friendly deals to celebrate summer.
🎭 Shakespeare in the Park: The Taming of the Shrew | Zittel Family Amphitheater | Folsom | 05/29 | More
Bollywood-inspired Shakespeare under the stars is a pretty good sell.
🫐 Friday Night Lights | Once in a Blue Moon Berries | El Dorado Hills | 05/29 | More
Pick organic blueberries under the stars with headlamps provided.
🌊 Start of Water Season Celebration! | Folsom Lake, Browns Ravine | Folsom | 05/30 | More
A splashy lakeside gathering for Newfoundland dogs and their handlers to kick off summer.
👑 Cinderella | Sutter Street Theatre | Folsom | 05/30 | More
A fairytale matinee that feels made for this district.
🌿 El Dorado Hills Farmer's Market | El Dorado Hills Town Center | El Dorado Hills | 05/30 | More
Fresh local finds and community charm every Saturday morning.
🎸 TGIF Early Show at Powerhouse | Powerhouse Pub | Folsom | 05/29 | More
A no-fuss Friday start with a crowd that stays out.
🤠 7 Summer, a Morgan Wallen Tribute | Crawdads on the Lake | Folsom | 05/30 | More
A louder lake night if you want one.
🌴 Folkin' Reggae Night in Folsom! | Back Bistro | Folsom | 05/30 | More
Indie folk meets reggae heartbeat with raw vocals, storytelling, and wild solos.
🎵 TJ Sings: JT (James Taylor)...and Friends | The Vine EDH | El Dorado Hills | 05/30 | More
Warm acoustic covers spanning James Taylor, Eagles, Garth Brooks, and beyond.
🎲 Bingo | The Vine EDH | El Dorado Hills | 06/04 | More
Drinks, prizes, and a weeknight crowd that actually shows up.
🤠 Country Thursdays | Powerhouse Pub | Folsom | 06/04 | More
An easy Thursday night if you want music and people.
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