Explore the Westfield Galleria at Roseville
Whether you want to make a few purchases, window shop, or simply get some air-conditioned steps in, the Westfield Galleria at Roseville (westfield.com/united-states/galleriaatroseville) has it all. There are over 150 stores to choose from, but we have a few recommendations: grab some threads for the whole family at Nordstrom, check out Round1 Bowling & Amusement (a state-of-the-art entertainment center that offers bowling, billiards, private karaoke rooms, and one of the largest arcades around), and then head to Lolli & Pops, a candy store that’s semi new to the mall, for a sweet treat.
 

 

Have a Museum Day
Take in some local history at Lincoln Area Archives Museum (laamca.org), which is open Tuesday-Saturday and allows visitors to explore Nisenan artifacts and learn more about the region’s early settlers and the history of ranching, mining, and military. If you go on a Saturday, the Rocklin Historical Society & Museum (rocklinhistorical.org) will also be open. Both are conveniently located within 20 minutes of one another, traffic allowing! For little ones looking to get the wiggles out, head to the Sacramento Children's Museum (sackids.org) for a day of hands-on-play with imaginative exhibits like a magnet wall, "vet office", and giant Lite Brite.

 

See a Movie
Folsom’s Palladio LUXE Cinema (cinemawest.com) offers a full bar, upscale food menu, and plush recliner seats, not to mention $5 matinee tickets on Tuesdays; Regal El Dorado Hills (regmovies.com) has comfy seats along with an IMAX theater option; and Rocklin’s Studio Movie Grill (studiomoviegrill.com) boasts nine auditoriums outfitted with the latest digital projection, newly installed recliners, as well as a full-service bar and lounge with daily specials like $5 draft beers on Tuesdays. Wondering what to see? Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, and Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse all hit theaters this month.

 

Take a Swing at Indoor Golf
If you haven’t checked out the newly renovated Red Hawk Casino (redhawkcasino.com), this is your sign to do so. This isn’t an adults-only gambling recommendation (though that would be fun too on a hot summer night), but for the Apex Golf Simulator (redhawkcasino.com/golfing). When it’s too hot to tee off outside, this is an awesome alternative that’s as close as it gets to the real thing. Golf not your thing? No worries. Hit up the go-karts, arcade, or 18-lane bowling center.

 

"Pop" Into an Ice Cream Shop
‘Tis the season for deliciously cold concoctions, aka ice pops! While we’ll never say no to anything sweet and frozen, there’s something about homemade popsicles that is extra “cool.” Save yourself the trouble of making them at home, by heading to Seasons 916 in Historic Folsom (@seasons916folsom) for a rainbow of fun, funky flavors (many vegan!), like pineapple basil, gummy bear, strawberry cheesecake, Oreo, and more.

 

Catch a Local Performance
Head to the Harris Center (harriscenter.net) for some indoor entertainment. El Dorado Musical Theatre’s The Best of Broadway (June 10) promises an evening of Broadway’s biggest hit songs, Motown Mania! (June 22) will feature hits from The Temptations and other Motown superstars, and the El Dorado Dance Academy is putting on their summer concert Metamorphosis (June 24). You can also plan ahead and get tickets for Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, which will be showing from July 8-16.

 

Explore the Rancho Cordova Barrel District
Enjoy some 21+ libations from multiple locations in close proximity at Rancho Cordova’s Barrel District (barreldistrict.com). Aside from two distilleries (Gold River Distillery and J.J. Pfister) and five breweries, you’ll also find hard kombucha and a meadery. You may briefly be outdoors while hopping from place to place, but the cool A/C and drinks that await will keep your spirits high.

 

Play Your Heart Out
Another day, (not) another playground! On those extra hot afternoons when the slides and swings at your neighborhood park are too toasty, head to BusyKids (busykidsplay.com) in Folsom or Roseville for some indoor imaginative action. Though the locations differ slightly (Folsom’s features an open café where adults can sit and sip their favorite beverage), both boast a whimsical, hands-on miniature town play area, free Wi-Fi, enrichment classes like “Yoga & Movement,” and more.

 

Go Ice Skating
While outdoor ice skating is magical during the holiday season, indoor ice skating is just as fun—and often very refreshing—in the summer months. Head to Skatetown Ice Arena (skatetown.biz) in Roseville to cool off and get some exercise in at the same time. Visit their website to make reservations and view the summer schedule.

 

Make No-Bake Cookies
When you don’t feel like leaving the house or turning on the oven, no-bake desserts are the hero of the day. Feel like being extra sweet? Do the neighborly thing and share!

 

No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Recipe courtesy of El Dorado Hills-based cottage bakery, The Cookie Boss

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

 

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

2. Add sugar, milk, and cocoa powder to the saucepan and stir until everything is well combined.

3. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.

4. Remove the saucepan from heat and add rolled oats, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt to the mixture. Stir everything together until well combined.

5. Let the mixture cool for a few minutes until it thickens and can be easily scooped into balls.

6. Scoop the mixture into balls using a cookie scoop or spoon and place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

7. Let the cookies set at room temperature until they are firm, which takes about 30 minutes.

 

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

 

Note: You can also experiment with adding different mix-ins, such as chopped nuts, dried fruit, or shredded coconut, to add more flavor and texture to your cookies. Enjoy your delicious and easy no-bake chocolate cookies!