April 29th, 2009 - Cash Easy Mini-Breaks, California Destinations
With winter falling away, summer is right on our heals. For a good number of folks, this means time off, a chance to get away from the ole grindstone.
If you cant plan that dream getaway this year, worry not, for there are many fun and mind freeing getaways right here in our own backyards.
It seems we often take for granted what we see on a regular basis, be it loved ones or our own beautiful 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.
The American River Valley in Lotus / Coloma is where it all started with the Gold Rush, and so shall we.
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:
From the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park website - 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.
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?
South East El Dorado County is recognized by the Viticulture Society as some of the best land for specific wine-grape varietals. Thus, some of the best wineries can be visited and tasted while youre right here. Personal favorites are Oakstone and Windwalker wineries both in Fairplay!
Nothing wrong with enjoying the spirits of wine tasting and relaxing into the warm; however, if you want to mix it up, check out rafting. It’s a great adventure for most age ranges and fitness levels. The local river offers great excitement for a seasoned adventurist but is not so intense beginners cannot venture onto a raft. The American River is one of the most rafted rivers in all the United States, and it’s ability to accommodate such a wide variety of guests is a big reason why.
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.
The historic town of Placerville, also known as Hangtown, and Dry Diggins, is home to the oldest hardware store in the west, a TruValue now. Too, the oldest newspaper in the west resides here in El Dorado County as well, The Mountain Democrat. You can make the 20-minute drive to Placerville and walk historic Main Street where you look up into building facades that have stood for 100+ years.
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.
Perhaps wed all love to cruise the Mediterranean for a few weeks but its simply not in our cards right now. You can head to the foothills of Northern California from anywhere in the State and be there within a days drive. Once here, with some simple planning, you can have as fulfilling and diverse holiday as nearly anywhere in the world. Tens of thousands of people a year come to visit, shouldnt you? Happy holidays!
