SACRAMENTO, THE GOLD COUNTRY AND THE AMERICAN RIVER, CALIFORNIA
Best Time to Visit Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the main travel reference in the Gold Country, a region that includes local towns such as Sonora, Columbia, Nevada City or Gross Valley, all deeply connected to the historic Gold Rush.
Also relevant in the region is the American River. Its three main forks flow through the Sierra Nevada hills and converge east of Sacramento.
See:
Best time to visit Sacramento and the Gold Country
When not to go to to Sacramento and the Gold Country
What to visit in Sacramento and the Gold Country
Hotels and flights to Sacramento and the Gold Country
Lake Lahoe
MAIN GEOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES
WHAT TO VISIT IN SACRAMENTO AND GOLD COUNTRY, CALIFORNIA
Map of Sacramento and the Gold Country
Explore the map below for details:
Larger Map
The Gold Country includes several historic towns where visitors can find some fine signs and restorations - old saloons, mining camps, and historic sites... - of the Gold Rush. Much of the Gold Rush signs have been carried along by time, but there still are some visible ones in Sacramento and towns like Sonora, Columbia, Jamestown, Mariposa, Nevada City or Downieville...
The South Fork of the American River is an excellent and a very popular option for boating. There are many river trips, (ranging from half a day to two-days) and local experienced river guides, just a couple of miles out of Sacramento.
For American River rafter expeditions and and rafting, see Earthtrek Expeditions.
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO SACRAMENTO, THE GOLD COUNTRY AND THE AMERICAN RIVER
The best time to visit Sacramento and the Gold Country is Spring and Fall. July and August are too hot (temperatures of 100°F/38ºC are common) unless you want to enjoy paddling in the American River. In this case, summer is an excellent time.
Winters have many chilly and rainy days, and isn't a popular time to visit the region.
For details on Sacramento and Gold Country weather, see Sacramento Weather Map.
Spring is a very agreeable season, and the country much more beautiful then in other periods: wildflowers in bloom constitute a spectacle that you may enjoy in mid-March and early April.
Autumn is also a good bet, due to agreeable temperatures.
WHEN NOT TO GO TO SACRAMENTO AND GOLD COUNTRY
Avoid, if possible, the hotter months (Summer) unless you want to boat on the American River. Also avoid the rainy and chilly Winter months. See weather details in the table below.
SACRAMENTO Weather Map
HOTELS AND FLIGHTS TO SACRAMENTO AND GOLD COUNTRY
Sacramento, Nevada City or Sonora have a reasonable range of hotels and logding options.
