Foothills Junction - Roseville, CA

Foothills Junction and the surrounding Roseville area grew from a small town to a major urban center following the Central Pacific Railroad’s construction of railroad tracks in the 1860s. While the move to an urban environment has changed the economy and demographics of the area, locals still retain pride in their histories.

Visit the Roseville Historical Society at Carnegie Museum, dedicated to preserving history and artifacts of the local communities. Meander around the Blue Line Arts building, enjoying a culmination of 50 years of performances and artistic demonstrations from locals and professional artists.

A variety of restaurants, both in price and flavor, dot the Foothills Junction and Roseville areas. Bring the family for a night of heavy music and atmosphere at The Place on Vernon Street. Scarf down polenta fries and mushroom bruschetta while listening to the accordion player squeeze out his latest tunes. Split a large Margherita pizza with basil and Sicilian sea salt followed by handmade tiramisu. Be sure to make reservations if you can, as this lively restaurant affords little waiting space.

Authentic Punjabi food lovers flock to Mehfil Indian Restaurant for lunch buffets and dinner specialties. Bring vegan and vegetarian friends for signature Aloo Gobhi or vegetable Korma dishes, or share a basket of naan and sides of lentil soup for appetizers. Don’t be fooled by its seemingly plain location inside a strip mall; this family run Indian restaurant packs a punch.

Roseville residents enjoy meeting at bars for weekend entertainment. Try The Trocadero on Church Street for the right mix of new-school trends and old school booziness. Sample different IPAs on tap while nodding your head to the live band. Rally the troops for happy hour, where you can find $2 draft beers and $3 well drinks. But be sure to bring your game face; The Trocadero comes complete with shuffleboards for those who love hanging out over friendly competition.

Foothills Junction residents tend to drive from their suburban communities to get to work and run errands. Locals have easy access to Highway 80 and State Route 65 for commutes to work in Sacramento. You may also park for free at any of the 600 free parking spaces in downtown Roseville.

The Roseville Transit bus system services 12 local routes, with single fares running $1.50. Buses to Sacramento run six times a day, taking approximately 45 minutes each way.

Taxis do not normally roam the streets of Foothills Junction, but you can always call a taxi service. Uber runs in Roseville, from Auburn and all the way down to Davis or Stockton.

Walk or bike the many neighborhoods of Roseville; however, be warned that bike lanes do not exist throughout all of the city. Be especially careful around Highway 80's on and off ramps.

With over a dozen parks in the area and Lake Folsom just a few miles away, Foothills Junction residents have plenty of ground from which to choose. Bring your child to Maidu Regional Park, a massive 152-acre area with playgrounds, batting cages, soccer fields and a library with free Wi-Fi. Walk or run your dog along the many trails on the back side of the park, staying on the lookout for the wild goats that nibble on the grass.

Bring your toddler to Royer Park on Park Drive for a play date with his friends. Enjoy the castle playground and sandboxes while you catch up on parent time, breathing in the smell of the old, wild trees surrounding you. Park for free or walk from downtown, but leave the pup at home, as this playground doesn’t allow dogs.

The cost of living in Roseville runs slightly higher than living in Sacramento. For example, the average rent for a one-bedroom residence is about $1,000, compared to $800 to $900 in the city’s center.

Travel to downtown Sacramento via public transportation for $4.50. A typical pint of beer at a local pub costs about $4 for regular brews and about $5 for local craft beers. Expect to pay 15 percent higher than the national average for gas, mainly due to California’s added gasoline tax.

Large malls and chain stores command most of the shopping attention from locals in Foothills Junction. Head to the Westfield Galleria for the latest fashions from Tiffany, Louis Vuitton and others, and spend a Saturday with your girlfriends sampling clothing from Nordstrom before gorging yourselves at the food court. Alternatively, visit the mall during the holidays for prime people watching.

If antiques excite you, travel to the past at Antique Trove on Harding Boulevard. Get lost in the countless aisles and outdoor booths set up by hundreds of local dealers, and try on vintage clothes from the 1960s and 1970s. Remember to bring any jewelry you need fixed as the in-house repairman provides fast fix-its at less expensive prices than those of jewelry stores.

Pick up a new mountain bike or road bike at Roseville Cyclery, which lies a short drive from Foothills Junction on Vernon Street. Local cyclists love the experienced staff and the reasonable prices. Stop in to get fitted for a new bike, or bring your existing bike to the service department for a tune-up. Roseville Cyclery also carries all the accessories and clothing items you need to ride safely.

Residents shop for most of their groceries at large chain stores such as Safeway or Trader Joe's. Try the Whole Foods on Galleria Boulevard for fresh, organic produce and bulk foods. Create your own trail mix from the nuts and dried fruit sections before heading over to the health food aisle for vegan pizza and mac and cheese options. If you get thirsty during all that shopping, sip a beer at the bar near the front of the store while you wait for traffic to dissipate.

Head to Foothill Farmer's Market at various locations around town, which opens every day except Monday. Choose from local produce and baked goods, and graze a little from each booth to create your own perfect breakfast. Remember to bring cash with you as some vendors don't take credit cards.