Top Reasons to Go to Sacramento and the Gold Country

Golden opportunities: Marshall Gold Discovery State Park and Hangtown's Gold Bug & Mine conjure up California's mid-19th century boom.

Capital connections: The old saying "Sacramento is a nice place to live, but you wouldn't want to visit here" seems rather snarky now, with the city's downtown and midtown resurgence.

That festive feeling: Sacramento is home to the California state fair in August and many ethnic food festivals. Nevada City and environs are known for summer mountain music festivals and Victorian and Cornish winter holiday celebrations.

The next Napa: With bucolic scenery and friendly tasting rooms, the Shenandoah Valley is like Napa, without the traffic.

Back to nature: Moaning Cavern's main chamber is big enough to hold the Statue of Liberty, and Calaveras Big Trees State Park is filled with giant sequoias.