Neighborhood

Placerville is situated in the beautiful Sierra Mountain foothills between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe within El Dorado County. Placerville has gorgeous scenery, an abundance of shops and museums, several wineries, and is alive with a fascinating history. Placerville is a charming California “gold rush” town named after the placer gold deposits found in its river beds and hills in the late 1840’s. In addition, Placerville is the County seat and the center of financial, commercial, civic, and government activity.

Guests love to explore Placerville’s Historic Main Street with a variety of fun shops to discover. There are antique shops, craft stores, used book shops, candy shops with homemade candy and fudge, and even the oldest hardware store west of the Mississippi. Placerville’s treasured heritage is reflected in the historical, nineteenth century architecture of its downtown core. An important historic landmark that still remains on Main Street is the Bell Tower, standing as a monument to the city’s volunteer firemen. Today, the Bell Tower serves as a gathering place for parades, celebrations, and other Historic Main Street events.

The El Dorado Wine Region blends the magic of wine country with the drama of the magnificent Sierra Nevada. More than 20 wineries are just minutes from the Highway 50 corridor and downtown Placerville. One of California’s oldest wine regions, the vineyards are planted on steep hillsides, in nooks and crannies, and in breathtaking valleys. Guests find second and third generation winemakers known for a willingness to experiment and innovate, a pioneer spirit, producing a diverse selection of wines at a very reasonable price.

Gold Bug Mine is one of the area’s hidden treasures located just a mile north of Historic Main Street. A self-guided audio tour takes guests on an exploration 352 feet into a real hard rock gold mine. The park boasts more than 60 acres with picnic areas, hiking trails, and an opportunity to pan for gems. History buffs enjoy exploring both the El Dorado County Historical Museum and the Fountain & Tallman Museum.