El Dorado Wine Country Seasons: The spring, summer, and fall seasons in the California Gold Country provide for El Dorado County and Amador County wine tasting, American River whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, fishing, antiquing, gold panning, and exploring the historic towns of Placerville, Coloma, Diamond Springs, Jackson, Grass Valley and Nevada City. Winter brings a fresh range of new activities such as snow sports at the nearby Lake Tahoe, NV resorts. Yet, because of the milder winters at our Sierra Nevada Foothills elevation, many activities are available year-round including most of the hiking and biking trails. The more than 80 wineries are always open.
Wineries
El Dorado County and Amador County is home to over 80 family-owned wineries that beckon visitors. As compared to Napa you will find much more intimate service at fraction of the cost. You can choose from a diversity of award winning wines. You’ll love the friendly tasting room staffs idyllic views vineyard and mountain views. Winter is a beautiful time of year to visit El Dorado's wine country. Weather is mild and the tasting rooms are uncrowded, giving you even more opportunities to talk with our winemaking families. Special annual events at the wineries are Passport Weekends (March/April) and Barrel Tasting Weekend (January). Some of our favorites are: DK Cellars, David Girard, Gold Hill, Venezio, Lava Cap, Dillon, Cedarville, Holly Hill, Sierra Vista, Vino Noceto, Windwalker and many more. There a so many good wines we can’t list them all.
For more information Sierra Foothills Wine visit these regional websites:
El Dorado County Wines
Fairplay Wines
Amador County Wines
Sacramento Wine Region, 197 Wineries
Specialty Shopping
Historic Main Street in downtown Placerville offers a variety of shops and will no doubt have something for everyone; tiny gift shops, art galleries, antiques shops, clothing stores and hand crafted jewelry to name just a few. Some of the more popular Placerville events have been the Art & Wine Festival, Bell Tower Brewfest, Craft and Antique Fair, Classic Car Show and the Festival of Lights that signals the start of the busy holiday season.
Make sure you especially check out: Placerville Clothing Company, Violets Are Blue Consignment, Placerville Hardware (in business since 1851 – they have everything!), The Bookery, Raven's Tale Books, Winterhill Olive Oil, Tony Matthews Housewares, Placerville Antiques & Collectables, The Lighthouse and Dedrick's Cheese.
Agri-Tourism:
El Dorado County is one of the last great places to find
family run wineries, orchards and farms. Check out these resources when planning a tour:
El Dorado County Farm Trails
El Dorado County Visitor Authority
Apple Hill
Nurseries/Gardens
Gayle is an avid gardener and has scoped out all the best in gardens and nurseries. Her garden features plants from many of them and she is more than happy to share her gardening successes and challenges. Visit the nearby Gold Hill Olive Oil Company to taste excellent olive oils and to see one of the newest agricultural ventures. For the gardener Gayle recommends visits to:
 Lotus Valley Nursery and Gardens
Lotus Bonsai Nursery
Amador Flower Farm
Golden Gecko Garden Center
Art Galleries
Many artists have come to this rich fertile area to follow their passion. You can visit several artist collectives that showcase some of the best. A few we recommend:
Gold Country Artists Gallery
El Dorado Arts Council
Bennett Gallery
Whitewater Rafting (April thru October)
Cascading down from the Sierra Nevada runs the West’s most popular whitewater river - the South Fork of the American River. An intermediate (Class III) river, the South Fork American River is suitable for kids aged 7 to 75! In nearby Coloma, on the American River is where James Marshall discovered gold. An El Dorado County white water rafting trip combines the river’s natural beauty, rich historical background, and exhilarating rapids into one great whitewater vacation experience. Half and full-day trips are available.
For more information on the river and the many good rafting companies see The American River
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Hiking, Biking and Horse Trail Riding
Cronan Ranch Regional Trails (hiking and equestrian), Monroe Ridge Trail (hiking), Auburn State Recreation Area (hiking, biking and equestrian),Tahoe Rim Trail and the Western States Trail all offer a multitude of outdoor activities within easy driving range of Eden Vale Inn.
Additional Resources:
American River Conservancy
Cronan Ranch Trail Map
Dave Moore Nature Area
Henningson Lotus Park
Monroe Ridge Trail
Tahoe Rim Trail
Western States Trail Equestrian
Western States Trail Run
Dave Moore Nature Area is located approximately two miles west of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park at Coloma on Highway 49 along the scenic and popular South Fork American River. One of the main features of the Dave Moore Nature Area is a loop trail about a mile long which goes from the parking lot trail head to the South Fork American River and back again passing through several habitat types.
Explore the spectacular Tahoe Rim Trail as it follows the ridges and mountain tops that circle Lake Tahoe. Winding for 150 miles, the TRT was built to accommodate hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians, and to showcase breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe, California's High Sierra, and the Great Basin of western Nevada.
Bring your bike to explore on road and off road adventures. Several local bike shops will help you with routes and equipment. Golden Spoke Bike Shop and Gold Country Cycling are some of the best. Check out their websites for touring maps and advice on the local area.
High Country
Desolation Wilderness in the El Dorado National Forest is 12 miles long and 8 miles wide and is accessed by 15 named and numbered trailheads. The relatively small 63,960 acre Desolation Wilderness contains many small streams with about 150 alpine and sub-alpine lakes. Many high country destinations, including the Carson Pass area are reasonable day hikes from Eden Vale Inn.
Gold Panning, Mining, and History
Rent a pan or bring your own. There is an area just across the South Fork of the American River from Marshall Gold Discovery State Park where you can settle in and try your luck. If Rodney is around, he is a fixture in the park, you might be lucky enough to get a lesson in gold panning from him. The Gold Bug Mine and Parkin Placerville hosts Hattie’s museum, a 362-foot hard rock mine, gift shop, stamp mill, hiking trails and gold panning and makes for a terrific outdoor adventure. Bring a picnic and enjoy a day of history and fun at the park.
Golfing
Apple Mountain Golf Course
18 holes over 6,450 yards with a par of 71 (Public)
3455 Carson Rd
Camino, CA 95709-9595
(530) 647-7400
Ski Resorts
Within 2 hours drive of Eden Vale Inn are a number of top notch ski resorts:
Sierra at Tahoe,
Heavenly at Tahoe,
Kirkwood (downhill and cross country)
Royal Gorge (cross country)
Nightlife
The fabulous new Red Hawk Casino is within five miles. Five restaurants are featured some with great views of the Sierras and Foothills.
Tourism Information
Check out these websites:
Coloma-Lotus Area
El Dorado County Visitor Authority
We also plan to develop packages with All Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting and ETC. |
