Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
old-fashioned saloons. Hwy 49 also passes through little-known wine countries such as
Amador County, where old-vine Zinfandel grapes grow. When the heat of the blistering
summer sun gets to be too much, hop into a swimming hole, go underground and explore a
cave or climb aboard a raft for a white-water river-adventure.
When to Go
Sunshine is almost guaranteed from May to October, with daytime highs spiking over
100°F (38°C) during July and August. A few rain showers in April and November
shouldn't deter you much.
The Route
Start following Hwy 49 from either its southern end in Jamestown, just down the road
from Sonora, or at its northern finish line in Nevada City. Don't count on driving any faster
than 35mph along much of this twisting route.
Best Detour
Hwy 49 crosses US Hwy 50 at Placerville and the I-5 Fwy at Auburn; from either place,
it's under an hour's drive west to Sacramento (
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)
. Spend the day at the state capit-
al's museums and riverside historical sites. In July, join the crowds at the California State
Fair.
Time & Mileage
Three to four days, 200 miles
Route 66
For a classic American road trip, nothing beats Route 66 (
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)
, connecting small-
town streets and rural byways. What California novelist John Steinbeck nicknamed the
'Mother Road' triumphantly ends in SoCal, rolling through the Mojave Desert to the Pacif-
ic Ocean. You'll know you've finally found this legendary road when you're cruising by
neon-lit diners, drive-in movie theaters, 20th-century motor courts and kitschy roadside at-
tractions.
