How to Enjoy Gold Country in California

The Gold Country outdoors hasn't changed much since the mid-1800s.

The region known as Gold Country in northern-central California is an often-overlooked area that is actually worth exploring. Historic old towns and rugged countryside that include some of the Sierra Nevada mountain range offer a taste of the Golden State that is refreshingly different from big cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Instructions

1. Try to arrange your accommodations along Route 49, which will put you within easy reach of most of the towns and attractions in the region. Placerville, near the heart of Gold Country, is a solid choice.

2. One of the most enticing slices of the region is a bit south of Placerville, where you'll find charming little towns like Jackson and Sutter Creek. Jackson is an idyllic stop to wile away an afternoon, with a cute park, some historic old mines, and a rustic main street that looks like it hasn't changed much since the Gold Rush.

3. Heading farther south, you'll want to explore the towns of Angels Camp (famous as the site of a wildly popular Jumping Frog Jubilee every May) and Murphy, a bit east on Highway 4. Murphy is especially memorable, with quaint Victorian homes, inviting historic hotel with a cool brewery, and inimitable Ironstone Vineyards about a mile south of town.

4. A great way to beat the heat or snub the snow is Mercer Caverns, only a few minutes north of Murphy. The three-million-year-old caves showcase spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, and you'll get a real workout on the 45-minute tour.

5. For an exceptional evening of dining delight, make reservations at Nevada City's Citronee Bistro and Wine Bar. Serving delicious French country fare with a California twist, the menu runs the gamut from elegant tapas to entrees like sautéed black cod and braised rabbit.

6. Nearby Grass Valley might not have quite the charm of Nevada City, but it does have perhaps the best historic attraction in the region--the Empire Mine State Historic Park. The Grass Valley Museum and North Star Mining Museum are nice little stops as well, and you won't find a better place to take a break from it all than the saloon at the Holbrooke Hotel on Main Street.

Tips & Warnings

• Check weather reports and driving conditions before making a wintertime visit to the region.