Many of the museums and festivals throughout this region celebrate their Gold Rush past. In the state capital of Sacramento you’ll find collections of Native American, railroad, and aviation artifacts, as well as fine art exhibits. The nearby college town of Davis also has a lively arts scene. Mark Twain fans shouldn’t miss the annual Calaveras County Jumping Frog Jubilee, inspired by the tall tale.

The state capital of Sacramento owes its unique blend lobbyist watering holes, ultra hip lounges and 18+ dance clubs to a blend of politicians, pro basketball players, and college kids from various nearby universities. A few newcomers have upped the ante in recent years with red carpet events and sleekly designed interiors.

The rivers where ‘49ers panned for gold provide much of the recreation in this area, including kayaking, whitewater rafting, house boating and fishing. In the surrounding Sierra foothills, you can spend your days mountain biking, spelunking, hiking and climbing, and your nights camping — or relaxing with a remote in a hotel in one of the area’s many gold rush towns.

You may not have heard of the wines from Amador, El Dorado, or Calaveras, which makes the delight of discovery all the better. This region is home to more than 20 award-winning wineries. Some of the oldest productive grape vines in California are here in vineyards that survived prohibition, and new ones are popping up all the time. Restaurants reflect the area’s Gold Rush history and proximity to the state’s famously fertile farms, with lots of ethnic diversity and fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Nestled in the foothills of the High Sierra, Gold country offers plenty of opportunities for winter sports enthusiasts. Enjoy the winter versions of the area’s summertime diversions, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the area’s many hiking trails, and snow camping. This area offers some of California’s best hunting and snowmobiling.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s the site of the Gold Rush enjoyed a Golf Rush. With the unspoiled Sierra Nevada foothills to build upon, many of the top designers made claim to the Gold Country with a variety of interesting courses. Today, the Great Golf Rush of new courses is over, but the good news for golfers is that they will be enjoying these spectacular tracts for decades to come.

California has family-friendly fun for every member of your brood, young or old. From theme parks galore with the latest rides and roller coasters, to up-close encounters with animals and history alike, grab the relatives and hit the road for a groovy California getaway!