It’s that time of year when thoughts of holiday spending are creeping around the corner—but you don’t have to spend a ton (or anything!) to have fun in our area. Check out these 10 steals, deals, and freebies to keep spirits up and wallets happy.

Burma Light

Have you ever wanted copious amounts of coupons that are local and rotate every other month? Look no further than our sister publication: STYLE Savings & Entertainment Guide (stylemg.com/sections/savings-guide). From a free yoga class to deeply discounted food and drinks—including 10% off at eateries like Burma Light and Folsom Palace—plus deals on goods and services (carpet cleaning, landscaping, and med spas, oh my!), there’s a money-saving option for all. 

Bernhard Museum Complex

The Bernhard Museum Complex (visitplacer.com/bernhard-museum-complex)—both the house and grounds—can be toured for free. The original structure, called Travelers Rest, was constructed in the 1850s, making it one of the oldest buildings in Placer County—and it’s also on the National Register of Historic Places. Peruse textiles and gowns (which rotate frequently for repeat visitors), artifacts, furnishings, and more from this bygone period. Bonus: Sign up for Visit Placer’s complimentary Explorer Pass (visitplacer.com/visit-placers-explorer-pass), check-in at featured attractions and adventures, and receive special prizes and promos. 

Teneral Cellars

Sierra foothill wineries and Visit Folsom have teamed up to bring vino lovers something special. Secure discounted tasting flights plus the possibility of custom tours, bargains on bottles, and more by signing up for the Foothill Wine Pass (visitfolsom.com/foothill-wine-pass). Choose your region (Amador, Apple Hill/Carson Road, Calaveras/Tuolumne, Fair Play/Pleasant Valley, or Placer County), purchase, receive your pass via text or email, present to each winery, and start sipping! 

Palladio 16 Cinema

Tuesdays aren’t just for tacos—it’s Discount Movie Day, too! Folsom’s Palladio 16 Cinema, Placerville Cinema, and Cinemark Roseville Galleria Mall & XD (cinemawest.com) offer plush recliner seats, full bars, and upscale food menus—along with discount matinee tickets on Tuesdays. Crown Club members of Regal Cinemas, with local locations in El Dorado Hills, Roseville, and Auburn (regmovies.com), also offer discounts on Tuesdays. This month, the fright-inducing releases are in: Listen Carefully, Salem’s Lot, and Smile 2. 

Utility Exploration Center

Life meets utilities at Roseville’s Utility Exploration Center (roseville.ca.us/residents/utility_exploration_center)—and there’s much to explore! Join the League of Explorers, a complimentary program for kiddos ages seven to 11, which provides a monthly utility mission that needs to be fulfilled. They also offer free workshops on an ongoing basis; up next is Growing Fruit Trees on October 12, where participants can learn how to plant, tend to, grow, and harvest fruit trees. 

Relish Burger Bar

Give into those weekend beer and burger cravings at Relish Burger Bar (relishburgerbar.com) in El Dorado Hills. For every adult meal purchased, receive a Free Kids’ Meal on Sundays! The little ones can choose from a cheeseburger, hamburger, grilled cheese, corn dog, or chicken (crispy or grilled) while you nosh on a Western Burger, Turkey Mushroom Swiss Burger, or Gilroy Garlic Jalapeño Burger. 

Fountains at Roseville

Do you have a “very important kid” that’s 10 years old or younger? Does a free train ride, birthday swag bag, and other fun surprises, courtesy of the Fountains at Roseville, sound appealing? Simply sign your youngster up for the VIK Kids Club at Fountains (fountainsatroseville.com/kids-club). Bonus: There are always store deals aplenty, so grown-ups can shop till they drop after the train adventure. 

Sociology Coffee Bar

Calling all foodies: Folsom Eats (folsom-eats.com) is chock-full of local deals on sips and bites. Sign up for the newsletter to get in on the action. But wait, there’s more! Currently, when you join their rewards club and text deals, you’ll receive a buy one, get one free pizza. They also offer a birthday club deal; sign up and you’ll receive a free coffee the week of your birthday from Sociology Coffee Bar. 

Community Observatory

Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life at Placerville’s shining star: the Community Observatory (communityobservatory.com). Be transported to another world when you take in the stars and planets through telescopes. Aside from a $2 parking fee, this cute date night idea is completely free. It all takes place on El Dorado County of Education’s property on Friday and Saturday nights. Pro tip: Bring jackets and blankets! 

Nimbus Fish Hatchery

Learn all about fish and spawning at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery (wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/hatcheries/nimbus) in Gold River—a fun spot for kids both big and small. Did you know the hatchery raises roughly 430,000 steelhead trout and over 4,000,000 Chinook salmon? During this time of year, Chinook salmon return and the fish ladder is opened; the steelhead trout can be seen in the winter. The hatchery is open and free for visiting daily. excluding Christmas Day. 

by Caitlin Emmett
Burma Light photo by Jyo Bhamidipati ©stylereadersmedia. Bernhard Museum Complex photo courtesy of Placer County Museums. Teneral Cellars photo courtesy of Teneral Cellars. Fish photo © randimal - stock.adobe.com. Other photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.