Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
al legends is 'Snowshoe' John A Thompson, a postal carrier who regularly delivered 80lbs
of mail on skis from Placerville over the Sierras to Carson Valley during the winter.
Sights
Main St is the heart of downtown Placerville and runs parallel to Hwy 50 between Canal
St and Cedar Ravine Rd. Hwy 49 meets Main St at the west edge of downtown. Looking
like a movie set, most buildings along Main St are false fronts and sturdy brick structures
from the 1850s, dominated by the spindly
Bell Tower
, a relic from 1856 that once rallied
volunteer firemen.
Gold Bug Park and Mine
HISTORIC SITE
(
www.goldbugpark.org
; 2635 Goldbug Ln; adult/child $6/4;
10am-4pm Apr-Oct, noon-4pm Sat &
Sun Nov-Mar)
The best museum in Placerville, about 1 mile north of town on Bedford Ave. The park
stands over the site of four mining claims that yielded gold from 1849 to 1888; you can
descend into the self-guided Gold Bug Mine, do some gem panning ($2) and explore the
grounds and picnic area for free. Guided tours cost $100 for up to 15 people.
El Dorado County Historical Museum
MUSEUM
(
http://museum.edcgov.us
; 104 Placerville Dr; entry by donation; 10am-4pm Wed-Sun)
On the El Dorado County Fairgrounds west of downtown (exit north on Placerville Dr
from Hwy 50), is this complex of restored buildings, mining equipment and re-created
businesses that tell the story of Old Hangtown.
Sleeping
Chain motels can be found at either end of the historic center of Placerville along Hwy 50.
National 9 Inn
MOTEL
( 530-622-3884;
www.national9inns.com
;
1500 Broadway; r $50-89; )
This mid-century motel, recently renovated by a young couple, is the best bargain in Pla-
cerville, even if it lies at the lonely north end of town. The building's exterior is ho-hum,
but the rooms are sparkling with refrigerators, microwaves and remodeled baths. It's a
