How to get to Bernie Sanders’ Sacramento-area rally at Folsom Lake College

Those planning to attend a rally featuring Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., in Northern California Tuesday evening should plan ahead for parking, event organizers say.

Between 10,000 and 15,000 people are expected to attend the Sacramento-area stop of Sanders’ ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour, which will take place at Folsom Lake College’s athletic track, located at 10 College Parkway in Folsom. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and speeches begin at 6 p.m.

Recent rallies in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, Utah have drawn crowds of tens of thousands. The Northern California event was moved from Auburn to Folsom Lake College to accommodate a larger crowd, according to organizers.

“Parking is going to be challenging,” said Kristy Hart, Communications and Public Information Officer for Folsom Lake College. “People should expect to do a little bit of walking to get into the venue.”

Parking on the Folsom Lake College campus will be limited and organizers recommend taking public transit, carpooling or ridesharing if possible.

Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents more than 800,000 federal workers, will join Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez at the event.

Local musicians dogpatch and The Philharmonik will play beginning at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are not required but an RSVP is recommended.

Food, water and bag policies

No bags, backpacks, signs or firearms will be allowed in.

The event will be held outdoors and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets.

Outside food and beverages will also not be permitted, though free water will be provided. Six food trucks will also be onsite for food purchases, Hart said.

Driving and parking at Folsom Lake College

Free parking will be available at Folsom Lake College on a first come, first served basis.

Hart predicts that on-campus parking will fill up by 3 p.m., before doors open.

Street parking will also be available within walking distance. Attendees can park in nearby neighborhoods and shopping centers.

“A lot of our partners are really being open to letting people park and walk in, so wear comfortable shoes,” Hart said.

Public transportation to the Sanders + AOC speech

Folsom Lake College is accessible by Sacramento Regional Transit and El Dorado Transit, as well as paratransit for both agencies.

Attendees can take RT’s Gold Line to the Iron Point or Historic Folsom Light Rail stations, which both have bus service to Folsom Lake College. Both stations also have Park-and-Ride lots.

“We are asking attendees to ride to Historic Folsom instead of Iron Point to catch bus route 10 to the college, and we will be providing extended service hours for the bus route 10 as well to make sure everyone who takes transit gets back to light rail,” RT Vice President for Communications and Partnerships Devra Selenis said in an email.

Bus route 10 will operate expanded service, running about every 20 minutes beginning at 2:30 p.m., Selenis said. The last bus of the evening will depart Folsom Lake College at 9:33 p.m. Light rail service runs until 11:30 p.m.

SacRT fares can be purchased online or at fare kiosks at all light rail stations.

El Dorado Transit’s 50 Express bus line runs weekdays from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. A stop at Folsom Lake College will be closed Tuesday due to the event, according to the agency. As an alternative, riders will use the Broadstone Parkway at Palladio Parkway bus stop.

This story was originally published April 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM.