If You Have 1 Day
Stick to Sacramento 1–15. Begin at Sutter’s Fort 14, and then walk down J Street or take a bus to the Capitol 10 for a free tour. Its huge park is pleasant for picnics. Next, head to Old Sacramento, perhaps detouring past the new home of the NBA Kings, the Golden 1 Center. Explore the California State Railroad Museum 1, and, time permitting, take a one-hour river cruise before dining at one of Old Sacramento’s many good restaurants. End the day, if you’re so inclined, at one of midtown’s many happening nightclubs.
If You Have 5 Days
Start your trip in Sacramento 1–15, where you can visit the California State Railroad Museum 1 and Sutter’s Fort 14 and take a riverboat cruise. On the second day, head north to Auburn 30, Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley 31 and trek the hilly alleys of Nevada City 32. Day 3 takes you south to Placerville 18 to see Hangtown’s Gold Bug Park & Mine, then to Coloma 29 and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Try your luck at gold panning here. Day 4 continues south to Sutter Creek 21, the Amador County Museum in Jackson 22, and off to lunch in Murphys 24. Return to Highway 49 and continue south to Columbia State Historic Park, in Columbia 25. You can relive the 1800s by dining and spending the night at the City Hotel. Finally, make the leisurely drive back north on Highway 49 stopping at Moaning Cavern and a winery or two.