Sights in Gold Country
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Daffodil Hill
Between mid-March and mid-April, Daffodil Hill is blanketed with more than 300,000 daffodils. The McLaughlin and Ryan families have operated the hilltop farm since 1887 and keep hyacinths, tulips, violets, lilacs and the occasional peacock among the daffodils. The hill is open daily when the flowers are in bloom. There's no fee, but donations toward next year's planting are appreciated.
reviewed
-
Empire Mine State Historic Park
The landscaped Empire Mine State Historic Park marks the site of one of the richest mines in the state; from 1850 to 1956 it produced 5.8 million ounces of gold - about $5 billion in today's market. In summer, living-history weekends are popular; an underground tour is due to open in 2010.
reviewed
-
Apple Hill
In 1860 a miner planted a Rhode Island Greening apple tree on what is the present-day property of a family named Larsen, and thus began what is now the prolific Apple Hill, a 20-sq-mile area east of Placerville and north of Hwy 50 where there are more than 60 orchards. The miner's Rhode Island Greening tree still stands (a major gimmick for the Larsens, who operate a museum) and is flanked by Granny Smiths, pippins, red and yellow delicious, Fujis from Japan and Braeburns from New Zealand.
Apple growers sell directly to the public, usually from August to December, and some let you pick your own. At other times other fruits are in season and at Christmas several places le…
reviewed
-
Auburn State Recreation Area
The North and Middle Forks of the American River converge below a bridge on Hwy 49, about 4 miles south of Auburn. In summer this is the popular Auburn State Recreation Area for sunning and swimming, though the current can be dangerous. Numerous trails in the area are shared by hikers, mountain-bikers and horses. Boaters have an entire campground and boating trail exclusively for them.
One of the most popular trails is the Western States Trail, which connects Auburn State Recreation Area to Folsom Lake State Recreation Area and Folsom Lake. It is the site of the annual '100 Miles in One Day' horseback ride, which starts in Soda Springs, near Truckee (visit www.foothill.ne…
reviewed
-
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
To get perspective on the region's history, take Hwy 88 north toward Pine Grove to the Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park, which is sacred ground for the local Miwok Indians. The magnificent 'grinding rock' is covered with ancient petroglyphs and mortar holes called chaw'Ses. Camping in reconstructed bark houses, called U'macha'tam'ma ', provides a more tactile Miwok experience than any museum could.
reviewed
-
North Star Mine
Grass Valley's North Star Mine used the largest Pelton waterwheel ever made. The mine's 1895 stone powerhouse on the west bank of Wolf Creek, at Mill St's south end, is now a museum with a small collection of Pelton waterwheels (and their prototypes), mining equipment and artifacts. A few shady, creek-side tables behind the museum make nice picnic spots.
reviewed
-
Gold Bug Park
One mile north of town on Bedford Ave, Gold Bug Park is on the site of four mining claims that yielded gold from 1849 to 1888. You can visit the Gold Bug Mine and Stamp Mill, do some gold panning and explore the grounds and picnic area for free.
reviewed
-
Bernhard Museum Complex
The Bernhard Museum Complex, at the south end of High St, was built in 1851 as the Traveler's Rest Hotel. The museum has displays depicting the typical life of a 19th-century farm family and at times volunteers in period garb ham it up.
reviewed
-
El Dorado County Historical Museum
El Dorado County Historical Museum, on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds west of downtown (exit north on Placerville Drive from Hwy 50), is an extensive complex of restored buildings, mining equipment and re-created businesses.
reviewed
-
Black Chasm
Black Chasm, a quarter of a mile east of Volcano, is known for its helictite crystals - rare, sparkling white formations that look like an enlarged snowflake. For extra loot you can try your hand at gemstone mining.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Regional Indian Museum
Adjacent to the rock are several impressive replica Miwok structures and the Regional Indian Museum, which has interesting displays about northern Miwok culture and organizes tours of the park on weekends.
reviewed
-
Magic Theatre
This fantastic theater screens a matchless line-up of unusual films and is about a mile south of downtown Nevada City. Enjoy bowls of fresh popcorn, coffee in real mugs and hot brownies at intermission.
reviewed
-
Nevada County Historical Society Museum
Housed in Nevada City's original 1861 firehouse, the Nevada County Historical Society Museum has an extensive collection from the Chinese laborers who provided so much of mining's back-breaking work.
reviewed
-
Cemetery
Residential neighborhoods, off the north end of Washington St, are lined with restored Victorian houses, and the spooky old cemetery at the west end of Jackson St has many graves from that era.
reviewed
-
Tuolumne County Museum
Housed in the former 1857 Tuolumne County Jail, the Tuolumne County Museum, two blocks west of Washington St, is an interesting museum with around US$100000 worth of gold on display.
reviewed
-
Placer County Museum
The Placer County Museum, on the first floor of the monumental 1898 Placer County Courthouse, has Native American artifacts and displays of Auburn's transportation heritage.
reviewed
-
Placerville Historical Museum
Placerville Historical Museum, housed in the Fountain & Tallman Soda Works Building, has a small collection of soda factory relics and old Placerville photographs.
reviewed
-
St James Episcopal Church
St James Episcopal Church, a local landmark north of Elkin St, has been in continuous use since it was built in 1860 and is now simply called the 'Red Church.'
reviewed
-
Snugg House
Among the historic structures is the wood and adobe Snugg House, which was built in 1857 by a freed slave and is now under renovation.
reviewed
-
Boeger Winery
Some noteworthy wineries, all north of Hwy 50, include Lava Cap Winery and Boeger Winery. The latter makes a fine viognier.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Lava Cap Winery
Some noteworthy wineries, all north of Hwy 50, include Lava Cap Winery and Boeger Winery. The latter makes a fine viognier.
reviewed
-
Gold Country Museum
Those who really want to delve into local lore can head to the Gold Country Museum, toward the back of the fairgrounds.
reviewed
-
Bell Tower
Prominent on Main St is the Bell Tower, a relic from 1856 that was used to summon volunteer firemen.
reviewed
-
Nevada City Winery
The Nevada City Winery offers tastes of its tasty syrah and zinfandel.
reviewed
