Every trip to Gold Country turns up new treasures, and springtime is a great time for you and your dog to paw your way around the historic, seven-county, two-city region pressed against the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. For a quick getaway from the Bay Area, consider heading “up the hill” on Highway 50, crossing from Placerville to Auburn on Highway 49 and heading back on Interstate 80.
Sacramento and Folsom are the gateways to Gold Country, and either makes a great place to pause. In Sacto, stop for lunch at Oak Park Brewing Co., just off Interstate 80/Highway 50 (take the 34th Street exit), where you can pair a delicious meal with carefully crafted brews and enjoy both on a dog-friendly patio. In Folsom, Karen’s Bakery & Café, a block from historic Sutter Street and strolling distance to the 32-mile American River Parkway, is a regionally known fast-casual eatery popular with cyclists and dog walkers.
Continuing up Highway 50, ditch the familiar for new sights galore along the El Dorado County Adventure Loop, a 45-mile driving route that leads through a string of history-laden towns—Pilot Hill, Cool, Georgetown, Garden Valley, and Coloma—tucked between the north and south forks of the American River. Hikers, both canine and human, can immerse themselves in rolling, spring-green landscapes at 35,000-acre Auburn State Recreation Area, where leashed dogs are welcome on all trails. Alternatively, head to Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park, 1,418 hilly acres laced with 12 miles of paths leading to the American River. (It’s OK to unclip your dog here providing she has a solid recall and stays away from cyclists and horses.) Insider tip: From mid-February into April, the emerald hills at both preserves are splashed with colorful wildflowers.
Back on Highway 50, make time for shopping along Main Street in “Old Hangtown” Placerville. At Winterhill, your dog can watch as you sample extra-virgin olive oils and browse a beautifully presented selection of vinegars, honeys, jams, jellies, salsas, and artisan crafts. Just down the street, the two of you can wander the aisles at Placerville Hardware, in business since the Gold Rush and stocking a fascinating combination of gold-mining equipment and traditional wares. The historic Cary House Hotel, also on Main Street, is reasonably priced and accepts dogs at no extra fee (but book early, as only two pet rooms are available).
A few miles east of Placerville, the Apple Hill growing region sports five dog-friendly wineries as well as dozens of farms selling fresh fruit and baked goods. For an off-season introduction, take the Camino exit off Highway 50 and head for the Chevron station on the north side of the road. Next door is the dog-friendly Crystal Basin Cellars tasting room, and adjacent to that is Crystal Basin Bistro, serving surprisingly creative, shared-plate cuisine that the two of you can enjoy at an outdoor table. Five miles up Carson Road, Boeger Winery is known for its big reds and expansive picnic area. Sniff your way through a vineyard and peek into the 19th-century stone cellar before claiming a table and ambling up to the new (and dog-friendly) tasting room, where you can pick up cheese, crackers, and cold cuts to accompany your Barbera.
Highway 49, the “Golden Chain Highway,” isn’t really a highway at all, but a two-lane byway winding 28 miles between Placerville and Auburn. Take a break at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, where the Gold Rush began with a nugget fished from the American River. You and your canine companion are welcome to contemplate the repercussions of that discovery while strolling along the river and amid a cluster of historic buildings. The welcoming Argonaut Farm to Fork Café provides water bowls for dogs as well as menus for those on the other end of the leash.
Janet Fullwood is the senior writer/editor for DogTrekker.com. She also pens the DogTrekker newsletter and travels often with Bodacious, a Brittany spaniel, and Bonnie, an English setter. DogTrekker also notes you’ll find more dog-friendly wineries, craft breweries, restaurants, art galleries, farms, and B&Bs ready to set tails a wagging all along the Adventure Loop. Check out the entire road trip at DogTrekker-ElDoradoAdventure.
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Main article photo by: courtesy of DogTrekker.com
