California Official Visitor's Guide 2009 - UK - (Page 40) california road trip California gold and Tahoe blue Drive east from San Francisco to discover living history, alpine scenery and mountains for skiing and biking Skiing at lake tahoe N 0 0 25 mi 50 km 89 San Francisco Los Angeles 28 Downieville 5 49 Truckee 80 Nevada City 4 99 Tahoe City Lake Tahoe 6 50 Sacramento Int’l Airport 80 3 Auburn SUTTER GOLD MINE 1 49 Sacramento to Sutter 9 SFO 5 Creek 99 2 Folsom CA NE LI VA FO DA 89 R N IA 4 CALAVERAS BIG TREES STATE PARK 108 4 7 Murphys Columbia 8 COLUMBIA STATE HISTORIC PARK 6. Lake Tahoe (75mi/120km: 1hr 45min). Summer beckons with boating and hiking, but winter means snow-play at these world-class resorts. Ask about Ski Tahoe North’s interchangeable lift ticket: one ticket provides access to seven top ski resorts, including Heavenly, Northstarat-Tahoe and Squaw Valley USA. www.visitinglaketahoe.com Gateway airport: SFO, 98mi/157km: 1hr 40min west of Sacramento 2. Folsom (23mi/38km: 35min). Get a taste of the 1850s Gold Rush at Folsom History Museum and then search for your own treasures at Folsom Premium Outlets, with bargains from brands such as Kenneth Cole, BCBG Max, Nike and more. www.visitfolsom.com 7. Murphys (129mi/207km: 3hr 12min). Head south from Lake Tahoe, then west over Ebbett’s Pass to visit wineries surrounding this charming Gold Country town, where you can also find gift shops and cafes. North of town on State 4, gaze at stalactites in Mercer Caverns, or marvel at the world’s largest trees, the giant sequoias, at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. www.visitcalaveras.org 1. Sacramento Visit over two-dozen museums, including the new Hall of Fame in the California Museum for History, Women & the Arts, honouring Walt Disney and other State notables. www.discovergold.org 3. Auburn SpoTLIghT (24mi/38km: 35min). Stop by the California Welcome Center to plan your visit to this handsome town, rich in 19thCentury architecture and Gold Rush history. www.visitplacer.com 8. Columbia BOTTOM: © PICTORIAL PRESS LTD/ALAMy; TOP: BILL STEVENSON 4. Nevada City (28mi/45km: 40min). Browse antique stores and dine at friendly local cafes. Learn to fly-fish for trout at the renowned California School of Fly-fishing. www.nevadacitychamber.com (14mi/22km: 25min). Continue south to try your hand at gold-panning in this 1850s Gold Rush town, much of it now a historical state park. www.tcvb.com 9. Sutter Creek (47mi/76km: 1hr 6min). Retrace your steps from Calaveras Big Trees, then continue northwest to take a thrilling underground tour of the Sutter Gold Mine. Stroll down Main Street for gift shops, galleries and the Sutter Creek Ice Cream Emporium. www.suttercreek.org total lenGth of drive tour: 5. Downieville (42mi/68km: 55min). Cycle on wellmarked bike trails through lush conifer forests in this mountain-biking destination (check local suppliers for bike rentals and shuttles to and from bike trails). Relax at Grubstake Saloon & Grill, a local favourite. www.sierracountychamber.net Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys. Summer outdoor concerts draw top stars such as country singer Willie Nelson. 501mi/806km welcome Center SM 40 www.visitcalifornia.co.uk http://www.visitinglaketahoe.com http://www.visitfolsom.com http://www.discovergold.org http://www.gocalaveras.com http://www.visitplacer.com http://www.tcvb.com http://www.nevadacitychamber.com http://www.suttercreek.org http://www.sierracountychamber.net http://www.visitcalifornia.co.uk
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