Enjoy California's Gold Country

History of Placerville & the California Gold Rush

El Dorado County Museum - Exhibits include displays on the Gold Rush, local Native American baskets, life styles, wagons, and artifacts from the mining, agricultural, and lumbering industries. The Museum also holds a collection of narrow gauge railroad equipment including a Shay locomotive currently under restoration.

The Museum has a large research and archival collection focusing on local history and geneology.

Empire Mine in Grass Valley - The Empire Mine is the site of the oldest, largest, and richest gold mine in California. From 1850 to its closing in 1956, it produced 5.8 million ounces of gold.This 5.8 million ounces of gold would fill a box 7 feet on each side. It is estimated that this represented only 20% of the available gold...80% remains.

Gold Bug Park - Capture gold fever once again! This well-preserved min is located only minutes from the Blair Sugar Pine Bed & Breakfast. Come experience gold rush history, a most important historical era in the west.

Marshall Gold Discovery SHP - James W. Marshall discovered gold in 1848 on the South Fork of the American River in the valley the Nisenan Indians knew as Cullumah. This event led to the greatest mass movement of people in the Western Hemisphere and was the spark that ignited the spectacular growth of the west during the ensuing decades. The gold discovery site, located in the still visible tailrace of Sutter's sawmill, in present day Coloma California, is one of the most significant historic sites in the nation.

Sutter Gold Mine Tour - Sutter Gold Mine is a modern hard rock mine located on historic Highway 49 just north of Sutter Creek at the site of several historic mines. These include the Lincoln Mine from which Leland Stanford made his fortune enabling him to found Stanford University and to partner in financing the Central Pacific Railroad.

The Coloma Valley - The Coloma Valley lies in California's Sierra foothills, in the fabled Gold Country. Through its center flows the South Fork of the American River, made famous in 1848 when California's first gold was discovered in its stream bed at Sutter's Mill. Today this river is also known throughout California for its inviting and exciting whitewater rapids.

Skiing

Heavenly

Kirkwood

Sierra-at-Tahoe

Whitewater Rafting

All Outdoors California Rafting Company - A wonderful rafting company for the American River.

EarthTrek Expeditions. - Raft with EarthTrek Expeditions on the best rivers in California, including the American River, the most popular rafting trip in the West. EarthTrek has been offering superb rafting adventures since 1977, so we know how to do it right.

OARS - "O.A.R.S. - First-class rafting on California's American, Tuolumne, Merced, Klamath and Stanislaus rivers since 1969"

W.E.T. - Another great rafting company with trips on the South Fork of the American River.

Wineries & Breweries

Boeger Winery - In the three decades since Boeger Winery was founded, they have been committed to only one standard: quality.

El Dorado Wines

Jack Russell Brewing Co. - Jack Russell Brewing Company, located in the Sierra Foothills of California, is modeled after an English Farm Brewery. Located near the small town of Camino, California, midway between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe, the beautiful rural setting of the brewery invites visitors to the area to stop and enjoy the fresh ales and fresh air.

Madrona Vineyards - Madrona Vineyards takes its name from the majestic old madrone tree which still stands in the middle of the vineyard. The warm days and cool nights of the historic El Dorado grape-growing region have proven to produce fruit with excellent balance and intense varietal character. At an elevation of 3,000 feet (one of the highest vineyards in California), it can truly claim the distinction of offering mountain-grown wines.

Mount Aukum Winery - We encourage you to take a few minutes to learn about Fair Play's exciting new winery. We offer tastings of our delicious wines in a beautiful setting, complete special events packages for your wedding or business meeting, and tours of the winery.