Stagecoach stop
Go for the gold in Auburn, California
Not only was it one of the largest settlements in California during the gold rush because of its location on the supply route between San Francisco and the best mining locations, it is also dubbed the “Endurance Capital of the World” because of its large variety of endurance sports. The Tevis Cup 100-Mile Endurance Equestrian Ride and Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run are two of the many notable events that draw thousands of athletes per year. If this type of strenuous activity isn’t for you, there are miles of paths along the old stagecoach route through the American River Canyon to hike, bike, take a dip in the perpetually cold waters, or catch a whitewater rafting tour.
The snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada look close enough to touch, and they nearly are. Lake Tahoe is only an hour and a half drive—and even shorter flight—away, yet the state capital, Sacramento, is 35 minutes in the other direction. It’s a short flight to the Bay Area or the mountains, and those wanting to check a single day “ski and surf” trip off their bucket list would find Auburn a convenient (and more affordable) home base.
The rolling and often steep hills in the Auburn area are good for more than testing athletic prowess—there are too many wineries and breweries to count within easy driving distance, and the town boasts 15 restaurants in addition to its four museums. The Park Victorian Inn, built in 1874, offers a charming mix of antique and modern flair, and is a bit of a museum itself with rooms named after influential residents in Auburn’s history. A great way to explore and learn at the same time is to take the docent-led walking tour of old town Auburn that leaves from the historic courthouse every Saturday at 10 a.m. Or grab a map from the same spot and take your own tour through the unique art installations and murals, mosey through the shops and pubs, hear some history and local legends, and stop by Old Town Pizza to grab a meat-laden “Miner” style pie. This is often a bustling town, especially when one of the many events are taking place or the Placer County Fairgrounds are in full swing, and there seems to be an event or festival for everything you can imagine.
But the adventure doesn’t have to stop here. The town of Coloma and the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, where gold was discovered in 1848, is a half hour drive away, passing through the American River Canyon and below the towering Foresthill Bridge—fourth tallest in the United States. Try your hand at gold panning at the site and mingle with the local character reenactors during living history days.
Related Articles
