Summer is nearer and for many of us, this means some time off: time off from packing lunches for the kids, time off of work, time off of carpool or simply some time off from the daily grind that is our routine.
Perhaps you're not headed to Europe or off to the Caribbean but you'd still like to get a way for a while, then why not look right here in California? Tens of thousands of tourists do each year, there must be something to see, let's have a look around.
It seems we often take for granted what we see on a regular basis, be it loved ones or our own beautiful State.
Think about it, many people flock to Northern California for their vacation! Here we have a gorgeous mountain range, The Sierra Nevada, we have some of the best wine country in the entire world, we have coastal hideaways and tourist oriented cities, the great redwood forest, world-class resorts and restaurants.
Here are some adventures you can have in the Sierra Nevada Foothills.
We'll start with the area responsible for the Gold Rush, The Coloma / Lotus American River Valley.
Hosting some great vacation spots in all the State is El Dorado County. Only two hours from San Francisco, located between US Hwys 80 and 50, access to both North and South Shores of Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County is a great choice for an affordable and diverse vacation. Being only a day's drive from anywhere in the State makes this super area to explore and vacation.
The History:
As noted on the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park website -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.
Unfortunately we often look right past that which is in front of us, not fully appreciating the bounty within our daily reach. The epic Gold Rush took place right here. We are all made to study this time in US history and it's right here. And so, the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is as good a place as any to begin your exploration. The grounds are filled with artifacts from the Gold Rush era, including a replica of the mill, buildings that have stood the test of time, a museum, a nature trail, a blacksmith shop etc.
Before you make your way to Coloma and the Gold Rush site, you have a decisions to make. Are you making a day of this? Is it just you and the family coming into town for a little history and picnic on the banks of the South Fork of the American River or are you planning a big family get together, reunion style, and youre planning to employ some of the built in barbeques they have available for your use. Is the family going to stay a day or multiple days?
For bring-your-tent style sleeping and or RV, there are campgrounds and an RV park in the area. Ponderosa Park in Coloma is the RV park but it's a very specific park and you must have membership in the national club, call ahead. Camp Lotus on Bassi Road is a beautiful campground as well there is American River Resort on River Road. An historic hotel may suit your needs better or a bed and breakfast: The Albert Shafsky House in Placerville is a Bed and Breakfast, The Sierra Nevada House is right in Coloma and is an old hotel. Once you're here you have plenty of one and two day excursions to choose from, for example, rafting and or wine tasting?
The Viticulture Society has recognized the lands in South East El Dorado County as some of the best areas for wine production. If you're into wines you must take a wine tour, stop into my favorites Oakstone (just about anything they produce if phenomenal) and Windwalker (specifically the Barbera and Sangiovese!)
Maybe you want more than wine tasting, maybe you want wine tasting AND something else there is so much to do but one of the greatest, most fulfilling options you can chose is whitewater rafting.
You'll definitely have your choice when it comes to a rafting outfitter, there are some 33-companies on the river. The best way to chose which is right for you is to go with the one you feel most comfortable with when you book. There are differences between the companies but the environment is so competitive they all have to mind themselves pretty well.
You really shouldn't pass up the opportunity to raft. The majesty of the river canyon is cathartic in so many ways. Since there are so many things to do in the area, if you do come on a large family outing, there are plenty of things to do for those that absolutely won't raft.
Ever wonder what the oldest hardware store in the west looks like? Or perhaps you're into newspapers and you've long pondered where the home of the oldest western newspaper is. Well, wonder no more, visit historic Hangtown, now known as Placerville. The main street is lined with shops, eateries and real life local businesses.
Stretch yourself a bit more by driving up to South Lake Tahoe and visit the beautiful lake, play a few games, hike through Desolation Wilderness.
Perhaps wed all love to cruise the Mediterranean for a few weeks but its simply not in our cards right now. You can head to the foothills of Northern California from anywhere in the State and be there within a days drive. Once here, with some simple planning, you can have as fulfilling and diverse holiday as nearly anywhere in the world. Tens of thousands of people a year come to visit, shouldnt you? Happy holidays! - 22873
Perhaps you're not headed to Europe or off to the Caribbean but you'd still like to get a way for a while, then why not look right here in California? Tens of thousands of tourists do each year, there must be something to see, let's have a look around.
It seems we often take for granted what we see on a regular basis, be it loved ones or our own beautiful State.
Think about it, many people flock to Northern California for their vacation! Here we have a gorgeous mountain range, The Sierra Nevada, we have some of the best wine country in the entire world, we have coastal hideaways and tourist oriented cities, the great redwood forest, world-class resorts and restaurants.
Here are some adventures you can have in the Sierra Nevada Foothills.
We'll start with the area responsible for the Gold Rush, The Coloma / Lotus American River Valley.
Hosting some great vacation spots in all the State is El Dorado County. Only two hours from San Francisco, located between US Hwys 80 and 50, access to both North and South Shores of Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County is a great choice for an affordable and diverse vacation. Being only a day's drive from anywhere in the State makes this super area to explore and vacation.
The History:
As noted on the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park website -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.
Unfortunately we often look right past that which is in front of us, not fully appreciating the bounty within our daily reach. The epic Gold Rush took place right here. We are all made to study this time in US history and it's right here. And so, the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is as good a place as any to begin your exploration. The grounds are filled with artifacts from the Gold Rush era, including a replica of the mill, buildings that have stood the test of time, a museum, a nature trail, a blacksmith shop etc.
Before you make your way to Coloma and the Gold Rush site, you have a decisions to make. Are you making a day of this? Is it just you and the family coming into town for a little history and picnic on the banks of the South Fork of the American River or are you planning a big family get together, reunion style, and youre planning to employ some of the built in barbeques they have available for your use. Is the family going to stay a day or multiple days?
For bring-your-tent style sleeping and or RV, there are campgrounds and an RV park in the area. Ponderosa Park in Coloma is the RV park but it's a very specific park and you must have membership in the national club, call ahead. Camp Lotus on Bassi Road is a beautiful campground as well there is American River Resort on River Road. An historic hotel may suit your needs better or a bed and breakfast: The Albert Shafsky House in Placerville is a Bed and Breakfast, The Sierra Nevada House is right in Coloma and is an old hotel. Once you're here you have plenty of one and two day excursions to choose from, for example, rafting and or wine tasting?
The Viticulture Society has recognized the lands in South East El Dorado County as some of the best areas for wine production. If you're into wines you must take a wine tour, stop into my favorites Oakstone (just about anything they produce if phenomenal) and Windwalker (specifically the Barbera and Sangiovese!)
Maybe you want more than wine tasting, maybe you want wine tasting AND something else there is so much to do but one of the greatest, most fulfilling options you can chose is whitewater rafting.
You'll definitely have your choice when it comes to a rafting outfitter, there are some 33-companies on the river. The best way to chose which is right for you is to go with the one you feel most comfortable with when you book. There are differences between the companies but the environment is so competitive they all have to mind themselves pretty well.
You really shouldn't pass up the opportunity to raft. The majesty of the river canyon is cathartic in so many ways. Since there are so many things to do in the area, if you do come on a large family outing, there are plenty of things to do for those that absolutely won't raft.
Ever wonder what the oldest hardware store in the west looks like? Or perhaps you're into newspapers and you've long pondered where the home of the oldest western newspaper is. Well, wonder no more, visit historic Hangtown, now known as Placerville. The main street is lined with shops, eateries and real life local businesses.
Stretch yourself a bit more by driving up to South Lake Tahoe and visit the beautiful lake, play a few games, hike through Desolation Wilderness.
Perhaps wed all love to cruise the Mediterranean for a few weeks but its simply not in our cards right now. You can head to the foothills of Northern California from anywhere in the State and be there within a days drive. Once here, with some simple planning, you can have as fulfilling and diverse holiday as nearly anywhere in the world. Tens of thousands of people a year come to visit, shouldnt you? Happy holidays! - 22873
About the Author:
Christopher Pyle is the owner of Action Whitewater, long a river lover, Christopher has been commercially guiding for 24-years and has grown up in El Dorado County. Since 1989 Action Whitewater Adventures has offered quality rafting on the on the South and Middle Forks of the American River. Curious, want to see rafting video, then please, click on over to our home on the web.
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