On an abnormally cool June weekend, I decided to spend some time in and near Auburn, California. Auburn was selected as the County Seat for Placer County long ago after an election in which more people voted yes than actually lived in the county! Although the cities near Sacramento are now much bigger, Auburn remains the main location for county government and an interesting gold country city to visit.
Main Entrance to County Courthouse
Every Saturday morning, the Placer County Museum has a walking tour of Old Town Auburn. After a quick stop at the popular Farmers Market next door, I joined the large group to learn about the history of the town. You may recognize the courthouse as it is very visible from Interstate 80. It was not the original courthouse as the first several burned down due to fire. Who would guess buildings made of wood would catch fire with people using fireplaces and candles? This version used bricks and stone from local quarries to avoid that pesky problem. And yes, it is still a fully functioning courthouse.
Old Town Auburn
The docents of the museum host an informative and entertaining walk around the courthouse and old town area. Both are immediately off the freeway with lots of parking. The free one hour tour includes history of the region and ends on the main street for a convenient lunch. Auburn is similar to other gold country towns with lots of hills and old buildings for a quaint, if not exhausting, stroll through the streets. Old Town Auburn also has several restaurants and bars, the latter are still on the premises of historic saloons.
The main reason for my trip to the area was to go hiking in the Hidden Falls Regional Park. I have been hiking here since they first opened the park several years ago. The park has really evolved into a fine regional destination with a nice variety of hiking trails for exploring the area. Mild weather attracted large crowds, but there always seems to be a place to stop and enjoy nature with hawks floating above and goats being used for weed control. The falls are always a treat and are especially fun with recent average rainfall. This place is highly recommended.
Out of Bounds Brewery in Placer County
A good hike deserves a good beer, and Placer County is now home to several excellent breweries. Auburn has Knee Deep and Auburn Ale House. South Placer has Out of Bounds, Dragas, and Monk's Cellar. Out in the farm country lies the amazing GoatHouse with lots of goats as one would expect. There are some wineries in the area too, but I have not been too impressed with their quality. Plus, kicking back a Cabernet after a three hour dusty hike just does not feel right.
Hiking Trail at Hidden Falls Regional Park
If you enjoy the outdoors and history, or just a good beer, Auburn and Placer County are a great destination or a perfect stopover between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. Please enjoy the rest of my pictures below.
California has a strong gold rush history as many people know. The entire Gold County stretches over most of the eastern part of California above the Central Valley. I recently had the blessing to attend my cousin's wedding in Sonora, California and took advantage of the opportunity to spend time with my family and explore the region. Sonora is a large town on the southern end of the main gold fields and has a rich heritage with a present day tourism industry providing a great escape from Stockton and the Bay Area.
Back Porch View
To make thing easier and more fun, we decided to rent a large and wonderful house. It was the center of our activities nestled in the foothills with expansive views and lots of space for a huge family. Having a huge porch was wonderful for morning and evening leisure and made a great backdrop for the weekend. You can also rent this fine property or just view the great pics here. Do not forget your golf clubs!
Interior of Moaning Caverns
Before the family arrived, I had the opportunity to explore the region. Since I have so many friends from the Murphys area, I have been to the region many times and was excited to do a little caving on the trip. Moaning Caverns is not the best in the region, but it is very convenient and close to Sonora. The name comes from an early sound heard within the cave of moaning sounds likely caused by wind at the surface, but modifying the cave over time eliminated the sound. It is a vertical cavern with a good amount of cave features, but many visitors enjoy the zip lining and gold panning at the surface. You can also rappel down into the cave for an added treat. Most visitors opt for the massive iron spiral staircase which was a good way to burn off all the calories from lunch.
Before the wedding, I had to drive down the road to Jamestown for a ride on a classic steam locomotive. The Number 3 locomotive at the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park and the surrounding facilities have been featured in many television shows and movies. It may be most famous in its co-starring role in Back to the Future Part 3. The excursion train takes about an hour chugging through the back country and is fun for the whole family. Arrive early as the first train was packed before the afternoon heat.
Wedding Chapel at the Union Hill Inn
It was finally time for the big event. After a whirlwind of activity dressing up and getting the kids ready, it was time to head to the Union Hill Inn near Sonora for my cousins wedding. This very popular facility is rustic chic and perfect for young couples. The ceremony was short and intimate and everyone loved the facility and the reception including all-you-can-eat prime rib. Even with all the hassle, it turned out nice. After the wedding cake, it was time to bow out gracefully before the sun sets leaving the wedding party to dance the night away!
Wagon and Buildings at Columbia State Historic Park
After waking up to the wonderful view of the foothills, it was once again time to leave the homestead and explore the region. Staying close, I ventured to Columbia State Historic Park just north of Sonora. This restored gold rush era town is still active with several small businesses including gold panning, stagecoach rides, blacksmithing, and various food and drink options. The town was great with a fun atmosphere and lots of cool history and excellent photography. Admission is free so you have more money to spend on ice cream!
Highway 49 in honor of the 1849 Gold Rush
After a whirlwind weekend with family, I was able to do a little wine tasting and see my friends in Murphys on the way home. The region including Sonora, Murphys, Calaveras Big Trees, and some great fall color has so many different vacation options - camping, caving, parks, reservoirs, shopping, wine tasting - its a destination in and of itself. Being on the way to Yosemite National Park also helps. Please enjoy the rest of my photos below.
