An average of 40,000 cars travel from Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe through the Sierra Nevada Foothills on scenic Highway 50 every day. But the vast majority have no idea what they missed less than a mile away from this popular route.
Gold Bug Park & Mine – Visitors can walk 352 feet into a real hard rock mine from the Gold rush days. Docents dressed in period clothing offer Guided tours of a second mine, the Priest Mine to student and groups Tucked away in 62 acre park in the heart of the Placerville just one mile north of the freeway. There is a blacksmith, stamp mill, museum, gift shop, covered picnic area and gem panning.
El Dorado County is home to more than 70 award winning wineries and 20 of the best are located just off the freeway in Placerville and Camino. Breathtaking vistas, a wide diversity of award-winning wines, and discovery and delight around every bend. Known for making vibrantly flavorful, distinctly delicious wines, grown in the dramatic elevations of the Sierra Nevada. One of California’s oldest wine-producing areas, vineyards and wineries first flourished here during the Gold Rush era. El Dorado County wineries offer outstanding value, taste, and variety with frequent opportunities to meet the winemakers and owners.
Historic Main Street Placerville – This is a charming gold rush town with unique shops and businesses and eateries woven amongst businesses that date back over 100 years like Placerville Hardware (the oldest hardware store west of the Mississippi). In the center of town stands the Bell Tower, it is the centerpiece year round events, parades, celebrations, and farmers markets and all just one block off the freeway. Historic walking tours are offered year round Self-guided and docent guided Historic walking tours of “Old Hangtown”
Apple Hill – Of the more than 50 family farms and ranches in the Apple Hill Growers association, nearly a dozen are less than a mile off highway and offer fun agricultural excursions, fresh baked pies and desserts and candies, handmade crafts and gifts, seasonal fruits and vegies. Most ranches are open only in the fall but Mill View Ranch is open year round. Along with the baked goods and gifts, they built Kids Town that is free.
Learn more about WBC17 sponsors El Dorado Wines who will be a part of Friday’s lunch.
Plan a trip to El Dorado with the help of Wine Routes –
https://www.wineroutes.com/wineroutes?geo%5B0%5D=-120.84683&geo%5B1%5D=38.68218