As Spring Break ends most of us begin looking towards the next big break from our daily routine. This means summer and summer vacations.
I'm as tired as anyone of hearing about the economy and what people are not doing. So let's talk about what can be done. California is an amazing State, there is plenty to do, right here.
The saying, the grass is always greener, got its start somewhere and I guess we Californians are just as guilty when it comes to neglecting what's right here in front of us in our very own State.
From the oldest standing redwood grove, to massive ports of call, to one of the deepest lakes in the world, some of the best rivers to be rafted and surf to be rip-curled, California is as good as it gets and tens of thousands of people flock to its land yearly.
In this article well look at a specific region of Northern California and explore some of the experiences awaiting you on your Sierra Nevada Foothill getaway.
Lets begin with the area largely responsible for the greater area developing, because of the Gold Rush, the Coloma River Valley and El Dorado County.
El Dorado County is host to the American River Valley and Coloma, it's only 2-hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, 1-hour from South Lake Tahoe and thus has some excellent vacation choices. This is a good choice for a cost friendly break from the daily grind and one that offers a bounty of vacation options. Within a reasonable drive from anywhere in the State, this is a solid option rich in US history as well.
The History:
James W. Marshall discovered gold in 1848 on the South Fork of the American River in the valley the Nisenan Indians knew as Cullumah. This event led to the greatest mass movement of people in the Western Hemisphere and was the spark that ignited the spectacular growth of the West during the ensuing decades. The gold discovery site, located in the still visible tailrace of Sutter's sawmill, in present day Coloma California, is one of the most significant historic sites in the nation - Excerpted from the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park website.
So often its easy to overlook whats right here in our backyard, but truly, the epic Gold Rush took place right here. The park is as good a place as any to begin your local getaway. Onsite are many artifacts from the Gold Rush era, including a replica of the mill, still-standing buildings from the day, a museum and a nature trail wherein you can have a park ranger lead a walk through history.
As always it's a good idea to take measure of your intentions so your trip can go as smoothly as possible. Are you planning a quiet little break for yourself, perhaps just for two? Or, are you in charge of planning an entire family reunion. Fortunately the area can accommodate either option and most in between. There are no motels or hotels in the Coloma valley; however, there are larger towns nearby with chain motels etc.
For bring-your-tent style sleeping and or RV, there are campgrounds and an RV park in the area. Ponderosa Park in Coloma is the RV park but it's a very specific park and you must have membership in the national club, call ahead. Camp Lotus on Bassi Road is a beautiful campground as well there is American River Resort on River Road. An historic hotel may suit your needs better or a bed and breakfast: The Albert Shafsky House in Placerville is a Bed and Breakfast, The Sierra Nevada House is right in Coloma and is an old hotel. Once you're here you have plenty of one and two day excursions to choose from, for example, rafting and or wine tasting?
The Viticulture Society has recognized the lands in South East El Dorado County as some of the best areas for wine production. If you're into wines you must take a wine tour, stop into my favorites Oakstone (just about anything they produce if phenomenal) and Windwalker (specifically the Barbera and Sangiovese!)
Perhaps you'd like to work off the day leisure and kick up the adrenaline a bit, some whitewater rafting on the American River should be just right.
There are a number of rafting companies in the area. There are considerations to be made when booking your trip, but all in all, the whole host of companies is pretty darned good and customer oriented.
You can raft for one, two or three days and we strongly suggest you not pass up this opportunity. Not only is it exciting, it's absolutely empowering to paddle your way through such beauty and power. If you're here with the family and you have folks who don't want to raft, fear not, as there are plenty of things for them to do while the others are rafting.
Placerville is the main town in El Dorado County and it's steeped in history: it's also known as Hangtown and Dry Diggins. Walking it's sidewalks you'll pass the Mountain Democrat, oldest newspaper in the west and the oldest hardware store, established in the 1800's. Placerville is also home to the first Toyota dealership, Stancil's Toyota.
Want to really mix it up? Make plans to get up early and shoot up US 50 and spend a day in the beautiful South Lake Tahoe basin home to the Lake, hiking, biking, Desolation Wilderness, gaming, shopping, entertainment and the like.
While the Mediterranean cruise may be on hold for a while, you're visit to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada can be a fulfilling and exciting vacation option.
I'm as tired as anyone of hearing about the economy and what people are not doing. So let's talk about what can be done. California is an amazing State, there is plenty to do, right here.
The saying, the grass is always greener, got its start somewhere and I guess we Californians are just as guilty when it comes to neglecting what's right here in front of us in our very own State.
From the oldest standing redwood grove, to massive ports of call, to one of the deepest lakes in the world, some of the best rivers to be rafted and surf to be rip-curled, California is as good as it gets and tens of thousands of people flock to its land yearly.
In this article well look at a specific region of Northern California and explore some of the experiences awaiting you on your Sierra Nevada Foothill getaway.
Lets begin with the area largely responsible for the greater area developing, because of the Gold Rush, the Coloma River Valley and El Dorado County.
El Dorado County is host to the American River Valley and Coloma, it's only 2-hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, 1-hour from South Lake Tahoe and thus has some excellent vacation choices. This is a good choice for a cost friendly break from the daily grind and one that offers a bounty of vacation options. Within a reasonable drive from anywhere in the State, this is a solid option rich in US history as well.
The History:
James W. Marshall discovered gold in 1848 on the South Fork of the American River in the valley the Nisenan Indians knew as Cullumah. This event led to the greatest mass movement of people in the Western Hemisphere and was the spark that ignited the spectacular growth of the West during the ensuing decades. The gold discovery site, located in the still visible tailrace of Sutter's sawmill, in present day Coloma California, is one of the most significant historic sites in the nation - Excerpted from the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park website.
So often its easy to overlook whats right here in our backyard, but truly, the epic Gold Rush took place right here. The park is as good a place as any to begin your local getaway. Onsite are many artifacts from the Gold Rush era, including a replica of the mill, still-standing buildings from the day, a museum and a nature trail wherein you can have a park ranger lead a walk through history.
As always it's a good idea to take measure of your intentions so your trip can go as smoothly as possible. Are you planning a quiet little break for yourself, perhaps just for two? Or, are you in charge of planning an entire family reunion. Fortunately the area can accommodate either option and most in between. There are no motels or hotels in the Coloma valley; however, there are larger towns nearby with chain motels etc.
For bring-your-tent style sleeping and or RV, there are campgrounds and an RV park in the area. Ponderosa Park in Coloma is the RV park but it's a very specific park and you must have membership in the national club, call ahead. Camp Lotus on Bassi Road is a beautiful campground as well there is American River Resort on River Road. An historic hotel may suit your needs better or a bed and breakfast: The Albert Shafsky House in Placerville is a Bed and Breakfast, The Sierra Nevada House is right in Coloma and is an old hotel. Once you're here you have plenty of one and two day excursions to choose from, for example, rafting and or wine tasting?
The Viticulture Society has recognized the lands in South East El Dorado County as some of the best areas for wine production. If you're into wines you must take a wine tour, stop into my favorites Oakstone (just about anything they produce if phenomenal) and Windwalker (specifically the Barbera and Sangiovese!)
Perhaps you'd like to work off the day leisure and kick up the adrenaline a bit, some whitewater rafting on the American River should be just right.
There are a number of rafting companies in the area. There are considerations to be made when booking your trip, but all in all, the whole host of companies is pretty darned good and customer oriented.
You can raft for one, two or three days and we strongly suggest you not pass up this opportunity. Not only is it exciting, it's absolutely empowering to paddle your way through such beauty and power. If you're here with the family and you have folks who don't want to raft, fear not, as there are plenty of things for them to do while the others are rafting.
Placerville is the main town in El Dorado County and it's steeped in history: it's also known as Hangtown and Dry Diggins. Walking it's sidewalks you'll pass the Mountain Democrat, oldest newspaper in the west and the oldest hardware store, established in the 1800's. Placerville is also home to the first Toyota dealership, Stancil's Toyota.
Want to really mix it up? Make plans to get up early and shoot up US 50 and spend a day in the beautiful South Lake Tahoe basin home to the Lake, hiking, biking, Desolation Wilderness, gaming, shopping, entertainment and the like.
While the Mediterranean cruise may be on hold for a while, you're visit to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada can be a fulfilling and exciting vacation option.
About the Author:
Christopher Pyle is the owner of Action Whitewater, long a river lover, Christopher has been commercially guiding for 24-years and has grown up in El Dorado County. Action Whitewater has offered California whitewater rafting trips for the past 20-years on the South and Middle Forks of the American River. Feel free to follow these links to see video, photos, maps and information on rafting.
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