El Dorado County is one of the most diverse, beautiful places you’ll ever visit. Sierra scenery is nothing short of spectacular, spanning across more than 1800 square miles with elevations ranging from just a few feet to more than 10,000 feet above sea level. The 1848 discovery of gold in Coloma touched off the largest gold rush in history. Today we are much more than rustic mining towns and historic sites. We are a year-round vacation destination overflowing with outdoor adventure, a welcoming wine and agricultural scene, enriching family activities, and a proud Gold Rush history.
Gold! The cry went up from Sutter’s Mill and brought tens of thousands stampeding into California from the four corners of the world. These ’49ers established hundreds of instant mining towns along the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Many of these historic and picturesque towns still exist, linked by California Highway 49, The Gold Rush Trail, and retain their early architecture and charm, living reminders of the rich history of the Mother Lode. You can still discover historic hotels and 19th-century saloons, stagecoach rides and places to pan for gold and keep the nuggets.
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