Things To Do for the Young and the Young at Heart

If you only have a few hours…

Gold Bug Mine – 2635 Gold Bug Lane Placerville. The 362-foot hard rock mine, gift shop, stamp mill, blacksmith shop, Hattie’s museum, hiking trails and gold panning. Park is situated on over 62 acres.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park on the South Fork of the American River in Coloma. It was here in 1848 that gold was first discovered touching off the largest human migration in history, the California Gold Rush.

Stroll down Placerville’s Historic Main Street and enjoy a variety of shops that include fabulous art galleries, unique antiques, museum, the oldest hardware store west of the Mississippi. Sip some of the El Dorado County’s award winning wines and savor the flavor of locally grown products.

PHOTO COURTESY: Gold Bug Mine

PHOTO COURTESY: Mountain Democrat

Visit the El Dorado County

Museum. Exhibits cover Native American culture, mining, logging, agriculture, ranching, Victorian life styles, early transportation and commerce throughout El Dorado County. Group tours can be arranged. 530/621-5865

Take a tour at Wakamatsu/Gold Hill Walk & Historic Tours. Learn about the rich history of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm, the first Japanese Colony site established in America. (Gold Hill area). Wakamatsu@ ARConservancy.org.

Ride the Rails – The El Dorado Western Railroad is the oldest railroad line west of the Mississippi River.

El Dorado Station 6000 Oriental Street

El Dorado, CA 1st & 3rd Sunday

Rides leave at 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM

PHOTO COURTESY: EDC Museum

The Community Observatory. The Community Observatory is your window to the night sky! See the stars through the 17-inch and 14-inch reflecting telescopes on a clear, dark night. Follow planets or the moon as they travel across the sky. Bring the whole family for an unforgettable experience in the foothills of El Dorado County. Friday & Saturday 9pm – 11pm

Stay for more than a day

Go whitewater rafting – one of the most popular activities in the summer. El Dorado County has more than 30 outfitters ready to guide visitors down the South Fork of the American River. Also great for kayaking, canoeing, camping and fishing. Go wine tasting at one of nearly 70 wineries sprinkled throughout El Dorado Wine Country. El Dorado’s wineries have a wide diversity of award winning wines, friendly tasting room staffs and idyllic views of snowcapped mountains and oak-studded foothills.

Come to the Apple Hill® and find a day filled with oldfashioned fun. Over 50 farms and ranches provide farm fresh fruit and vegetables, baked and canned goods, crafts and entertainment.

PHOTO COURTESY: Menka Belgal

Enjoy the Sly Park Recreation Area, offering camping, hiking, boating, fishing, equestrian trails and campgrounds.

Explore Desolation

Wilderness. Enjoy spectacular scenery, hike, cross-country ski, ride horseback, or enjoy other outdoor activities. Travel in the wilderness is restricted to hikers and packstock. No motorized vehicles allowed. Permit required.

PHOTO COURTESY: Pat Dollins Photography

PHOTO COURTESY: Jennifer Boyd

Visit the El Dorado National Forest/Crystal Basin Recreation

Area – provides diverse recreational opportunities to the public. Fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking, swimming, boating, horseback riding and cycling.

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