Enjoy Gold Panning in the American River and learn about the historic California Gold Rush

January 24th, 1848 is an important date in the history of California. It is the date when gold was first discovered by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Lumber Mill in Coloma. It was not long before when people started flocking to Placerville, the nearest city to Coloma in search of gold with high hopes—and they did not get disappointed! Early prospectors could just pluck the gold from the stream. Because the Gold Rush runs through El Dorado County, gold panning is a popular activity here. A modern-day Gold Rush has unfolded in El Dorado County as people from all over the world are coming here in search of gold. If you want to learn about the history and events that led up to this incidental discovery and find gold, you should visit El Dorado County for Gold Rush tours and gold panning in the American River.

 

 Where to find gold in the American River

When you have got a pan or two, it’s time to go gold panning and get a little dirty. The best place to find gold is in a creek than a fast-moving part of the river—around forks or at the tributaries. Before you start panning, make sure that the area you are going to is not already claimed. If you want to pan in the middle fork of the American River, take a look around the Michigan Bluff area. The south fork also provides good opportunities to find gold. Lessons are also provided by experts to help you brush up on your gold panning techniques.

There’s much more to explore!

Overlooking the beautiful river canyon is California's first historic monument and the final resting place of James Marshall—the Marshall Monument. The statue looks down on the American River and points to the site of the gold discovery. Visitors coming to El Dorado County for gold panning also have the opportunity to take a walk around the museum at the globally popular Gold Rush Park and visit the Gold Bug Mine to know more about the history of California Gold Rush and what led to its discovery. You can enjoy hikes and picnics with your family under the riparian oak woodlands. Living History Day, and other special events are also planned regularly throughout the year to add more fun to your visit.

Enjoy Gold Panning in the American River and learn about the historic California Gold Rush—Visit El Dorado County!

3 Must-Visit Spots in Apple Hill During Autumn

As Fall arrives in El Dorado, mother nature casts her spell on trees and leaves to bring out mesmerizing shades of Orange. When you want to celebrate autumn, what would be better than visiting beautiful Apple Hill? This amazing destination is known for satisfying tastebuds of visitors with delicious apple pies, donuts, pumpkins, wine, cider, and more. Here are our top picks stops in Apple Hill that you must visit to embrace the fall season.

Abel’s Apple Acres

Abel’s Apple Acres - a place where you find fun for all ages. This family ranch has to offer a wide variety of baked goods. To relish the taste of apple pies, doughnuts, fritters, and bread, head straight to this picnic spot. Homemade candies, made of different flavors including vanilla fudge and cappuccino, are not only loved by children but appreciated by adults as well. To extend the family fun time, there are pony and horse rides and an amazing maze. Another reason to visit this rach in Apple Hill is a pumpkin patch orchard, where pumpkins of different sizes are available for sale during October. 

Boa Vista Orchards

Open round the year, Boa Vista Orchard is another must-visit place in Apple Hill. This family-friendly orchard offers award-winning apple and red wines, delicious baked goods, and apple cider. The surprising fact about this spot is the family has been farming the land for more than 100 years now. During your visit be sure to pick berries, pears, and apples from the seasons’ harvest. Also, you can plan your visit before Halloween to explore varied sized pumpkins for your ultimate jack-o-lantern. 

Wofford Acres Vineyards

"Come for the wine and stay for the view!" Wofford Acres Vineyards is one destination where you enjoy a beautiful view of the American River canyon with a glass of wine. Picnic tables are placed purposefully at the edge of the canyon for wine and peace lovers. This 5-acre farm is fish-friendly and opens throughout the year for visitors and locals. So, when you want to explore wineries in Placerville, Apple Hill is the destination. 

Your visit to these places, especially during the fall, will not go in vain as you bring delicious baked goodies, wines, and pumpkins along with unforgetful memories with you. 

Packing Essentials Before A River Trip To California

Your rafting essentials may be enough to ensure a smooth river trip, but adding a Sarong (a thin, lightweight piece of garment) to your bag can save your excitement for a whitewater rafting trip in the American River from turning into a disappointment. How, you may ask? To help you know how this simple piece of fabric can be a game-changer, we have pulled together a few things to consider:

Cooling Tool

You probably aren’t aware of this but many survivalists such as Bear Grylls use a sarong to keep themselves cool during brutally hot days. Just dip it in water and drape it over your shoulder, legs, head, or any body part that’s under fire. The soaked cotton will keep you cool for longer than you imagine during whitewater rafting in California.

Sun Protection

California’s weather can be scorching hot and the sun may cause skin burn as you hike or paddle through the waves. But you can use a sarong to cover your body parts and provide your skin with much-needed relief from the sun. 

Rapid-Dry Towel

When you plan a river trip in California, river baths are inevitable. While it’s best to bring a bath towel, it can take hours to dry off. This is where a sarong comes in handy as it dries off quickly, enabling you to take a much-needed bath even when your regular towel is wet. 

Final Thoughts

Planning a whitewater rafting trip in the American River is only good when you come prepared and if you add a sarong to your packing list, the better. 

For more tips on whitewater rafting in California, consider browsing visit-eldorado.com.

3 Must Do Activities on Your Next Visit to El Dorado County

On your next visit to El Dorado, make sure you don’t miss out on certain “must do” activities. The place is home to significant cultural history and a plethora of outdoor activities, which include: hiking, rafting, gold panning, and biking. The county is also known for its local wineries, which can be seen by attending fair play wineries events that are happening from time to time. If you have a few days to visit this beautiful place, here what you definitely shouldn’t miss out on:

Go for Gold Panning

El Dorado County is not just filled with breathtaking mountains, forests, and rivers; there are also ancient stream beds of gold along the Highway 49 corridor. The Mother Lode is approximately one to four miles wide and 120 miles long and stretched from Georgetown through Amador, Calaveras, and Tuolumne counties and then south to Mormon Bar in Mariposa County, and it is one of the best places to pan gold. There are also other places to pan gold such as the Pi-Pi campground, Gold Bug Park & Mine, and more.

Visit Vineyards and Wineries

If you aren’t really into the gold rush, wine tasting is another activity linked in El Dorado County. The county name also means “the golden One”. It all started when locals figured that they could make more money by selling wine to miners. Rather than panning gold themselves, these industrious individuals decided to plant vines, which led to the popularity of wine. Today, you’ll find many vineyards and wineries where you can spend a day walking and tasting delicious wines.

Enjoy Hiking

There are many hills and trails where you can enjoy hiking with your friends and family. You can visit The Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park which is one of the best places in El Dorado. Home to twelve miles of hiking trails, the park also has options for ever skill level. You can take a stroll in the shade of beautiful trees or conquer more challenging routes. 

So, what are you waiting for? Get your backpack ready, and go for a fun trip to El Dorado where you can enjoy hiking, gold panning, attending fair play wineries events, and more.