California Official Visitor's Guide 2021 - 115

boating, outlet shopping, and Folsom Prison Museum.
800/377-1414; visitfolsom.com See ad, pgs. 111-113

that make for outstanding recreation year-round.
530/265-4531; fs.usda.gov

Johnny Cash Trail. Honoring the legendary
musician who once spent time in the town's notorious
penitentiary, this almost three-mile bike and pedestrian
trail goes from the Folsom Historic District toward
the Folsom Lake Crossing Trail. You'll see artwork,
architecture, and bridges along the way. 916/355-7200
folsomcasharttrail.com

Yuba-Donner Scenic Byway. Winding through the
Tahoe National Forest, follow this stunning 160-mile
loop through the Sierra foothills and mountains, along
the North Yuba River, into pine forests, and across the
valley north of Lake Tahoe. sierranevadageotourism.org

GRASS VALLEY
Empire Mine State Historic Park. Learn about the
history of one of the oldest, deepest, and richest gold
mines in California. Guided tours of the mine yard,
restored gardens, and owner's estate are offered
throughout the day. The park also offers 856 acres
with more than 14 miles of trails for easy hiking and
mountain biking. 530/273-8522; parks.ca.gov

MARIPOSA
Yosemite/Mariposa County Tourism Bureau.
Mariposa County & Yosemite National Park. Welcoming
visitors year-round-four seasons of stunning splendor!
Outdoor recreation paradise, rich cultural & Gold Rush
history, authentic Western towns. Home of Yosemite
National Park. yosemite.com See ad, pgs. 111-113

MOUNTAIN RANCH
California Cavern State Historic Landmark. Find a
Trail of Lights and the Trail of Lakes cave walking tour
through this limestone cavern. Groups learn about
the history and geology of the cavern as well as the
surrounding countryside. Take a professionally guided
cavern spelunking trip. 888/488-1960; cavetouring.com

MURPHYS
Mercer Caverns. Descend 160 vertical feet to see
this subterranean wonderland discovered by Walter
J. Mercer in 1885. Take a 45-minute walking tour and
learn about the history and geology of the caverns.
209/728-2101; mercercaverns.net
Murphys Old Timers Museum. Experience Gold Rush
history through the Native American baskets, old pictures, and household articles on display from Murphy's
early days. Walking tours offered on Saturday mornings.
209/728-1160; murphysoldtimersmuseum.com

NEVADA CITY
Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District. These
twin cities, famous for their Gold Rush pasts, have
transformed into cultural hubs where more than
100 arts-related organizations. 916/322-6584;
caculturaldistricts.org/grassvalley-nevadacity
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park. Site of
California's largest " hydraulic " mine. View cliffs carved
by mighty streams of water, the result of the goldmining technique of washing away entire mountains to
find the precious metal. 530/265-2740; parks.ca.gov

PENN VALLEY
South Yuba River State Park. Swim, bird watch, and
pan for gold along 20 miles of the South Yuba River's
rugged canyon. Throughout the park, look for various
bridges dating back to the Gold Rush era through the
mid-20th century. 530/432-2546; parks.ca.gov

PINE GROVE
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park. This park
gets its name from 1,185 mortar holes ground into the
marbleized limestone by early Native Americans. Don't
miss the Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum. 209/2967488; parks.ca.gov

PLACERVILLE
Eldorado National Forest. Located in the Sierra
Nevada Mountain range, this forest varies in elevation
from 1,000 to more than 10,000 feet above sea level.
Popular for hiking and camping. 530/622-5061;
fs.usda.gov
Gold Bug Park. Step back in time and pan for gems
at this gold mine and museum, which also features
a historic stamp mill and working blacksmith shop.
530/642-5207; goldbugpark.org
Visit El Dorado. 542 Main St. Experience El Dorado,
where the Gold Rush began. Award-winning wine,
whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, gold panning, snow
sports, and more! 530/621-5885; visiteldorado.com See
ad, pgs. 111-113

RANCHO CORDOVA

California today. The collection includes a wealth
of international ceramics, sculpture, and works by
contemporary California artists. 916/808-7000;
crockerart.org
Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park.
Tour the opulent 19,000-square-foot mansion, built in
1856 for Gold Rush merchant Sheldon Fogus and later
purchased by the soon-to-be governor of California,
Leland Stanford. 916/324-0575; parks.ca.gov
Old Sacramento State Historic Park. View a cluster
of noteworthy, early Gold Rush-era structures and
historic buildings, including the 1849 Eagle Theater and
the one-time home to the California Supreme Court.
916/445-7387; parks.ca.gov
State Indian Museum State Historic Park. Learn
about the history and culture of the Native people
who prospered in California for thousands of years.
View examples of traditional baskets, ceremonial
beadwork, and a dugout redwood canoe. 916/3240971; parks.ca.gov
Sutter's Fort State Historic Park. Take a self-guided
tour through a trade colony established in 1839 by
Swiss immigrant John Sutter. After prospectors overran
the colony during the Gold Rush, only the fort remained.
916/445-4422; parks.ca.gov
Visit Sacramento. In America's Farm-to-Fork Capital,
enjoy Michelin-rated restaurants, a vibrant downtown
and great family fun in Old Sacramento Waterfront for
an authentic Sacramento experience.
visitsacramento.com See ad, pgs. 111-113

SIERRA CITY
Sierra County Chamber of Commerce. Where
meadows meet forests and rivers run wild: Sierra
County is a recreational playground. Visit historic towns,
go shopping, and enjoy fine dining. 800/200-4949;
info@sierracountychamber.com; See ad, pgs. 111-113

Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area. At the
base of the Sierra Nevada foothills, this area offers
flat, open grasslands and trails with rolling hills for
motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and four-wheel drive
vehicles. 916/985-7378; ohv.parks.ca.gov

SONORA

Rancho Cordova Travel & Tourism. Located on the
American River, Rancho Cordova offers the best of city
and rural in the Capital Region. Easy access to the State
Capital, Gold Country, and Sierra Foothills Wine Country
and the Barrel District. 916/290-5166;
visitranchocordova.com See ad, pgs. 111-113

Visit Tuolumne County. Wander freely in Tuolumne
County. Explore uncrowded Yosemite, authentic
California Gold Country, and scenic High Sierra in one
amazing road trip, 2 ½ hours east of the San Francisco
Bay Area. Find affordable lodging for all tastes.
209/533-4420; visittuolumne.com See ad, pgs. 111-113

Sacramento Children's Museum. With hands-on
exhibits designed for children from infants to age 8,
SCM engages youngsters in meaningful discovery. Bring
the kids for a few hours of imaginative play. 916/7305079; sackids.org

SACRAMENTO

Miners Foundry Cultural Center. Discover a California
Historical Landmark at this cultural arts and community events center, the first manufacturing site of the
Pelton wheel. Check website for events. 530/265-5040;
minersfoundry.org

Aerospace Museum of California. Find a world-class
opportunity to learn about and celebrate aviation's
past, present, and future. Discover more than 40 history
aircraft, including a U.S. Navy Blue Angels fighter, and
get hands-on by piloting your own STEM adventure.
916/643-3192; aerospaceca.org

Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum.
Learn about local transportation history and view
artifacts from the narrow-gauge railroad era. Visit on
Saturdays to take a ride on the railbus. 530/470-0902;
ncngrrmuseum.org

California State Capitol Museum. Explore the history
of the State Capitol building, home to the California
state legislature since 1869. Visit restored offices of the
governor and enjoy a picnic in Capitol Park. 916/3240333; capitolmuseum.ca.gov

Tahoe National Forest. Located northeast of
Sacramento in the Sierra Nevada, this national forest
offers rivers, snowcapped peaks, and dense forests

Crocker Art Museum. The first public art museum
founded in the Western United States, the Crocker
Art Museum is still one of the leading museums in

Stanislaus National Forest. Marked by more than 800
miles of rivers and streams, this nearly 900,000-acre
forest is a popular spot to fish, swim, canoe, and
whitewater raft. 209/532-3671; fs.usda.gov

SUTTER CREEK
Amador Council of Tourism. Memorable road trips
with boutique hotels, shopping, wineries, year-round
recreation, historic site tours, fine dining, art galleries,
underground adventure and casino gaming. 209/2679249; hello@visitamador.com; visitamador.com

YUBA CITY
Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary. Over 190 species of
birds have been observed here. Walk along a mature
oak forest and through woodland on five miles of grassy
trails. sacramentoaudubon.org
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge. This 2,600-acre
refuge typically supports wintering populations of more
than 175,000 ducks and 50,000 geese. fws.gov/refuge/
sutter
Visit Yuba Sutter. Explore the outdoors of Yuba and
Sutter Counties! From fishing and hunting to wine
tasting and hiking, there is something for everyone.
visityubasutter.com See ad, pgs. 111-113

VISITCALIFORNIA.COM

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California Official Visitor's Guide 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of California Official Visitor's Guide 2021