California

Photos from six blog posts with text overlay: Most viewed posts 2019

Most Viewed Posts of 2019

It's that time again when I get to write one of my favorite posts -- the most viewed posts of ...
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Yellow daffodils with text overlay: Daffodil Hill Farewell to a Landmark in Volcano, CA

No More Views of Spring at Daffodil Hill in Volcano

I've been reading a lot lately about overtourism but who would think a sleepy little place like Volcano, CA, could ...
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Black Chasm Cavern: Amador County Hidden Gem

UPDATE: This post was originally published on April 18, 2017 and has been updated on May 24, 2019 to reflect ...
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river with white water and text overlay: best things to do in Amador County

25 Extraordinary Things to do in Amador County from a Local

Beautiful Amador County, with an elevation range of 250 feet to over 9,000 feet, is in the heart of the ...
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Epic 40-day California to Texas RV Itinerary

When I finally pulled away from the home I had lived in for the past four years in Pine Grove, ...
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This is one of my favorite posts to do during the year. It is so fun to look back over articles and see what was popular and resonated with my readers.

Most Viewed Posts 2018 Edition

This is one of my favorite posts to do each year. It is so fun for me to look back ...
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When you think of Bakersfield, do you think of a place to visit and explore? No? Me neither! But there is more to do there than you might imagine.

Things to do in Bakersfield in Three Days

When you think of Bakersfield, do you think of a place to visit and explore? No? Me neither! When I ...
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If my first weekend on the road as an RV newbie is any indication of how things are going to go for the next few weeks, I’m truly going to love this life.

Notes from an RV Newbie’s First Weekend on the Road

If you have been following my blog, you know that just before my birthday I made a life changing decision ...
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Murphys, CA, in Calaveras County is home to Mercer Caverns, one of four fantastic caverns in Northern Caifornia's Gold Country. Learn about the fascinating history and amazing geology on an entertaining guided tour.

Mercer Caverns: A Top Attraction in Murphys, CA

My friend Joy and her husband were here visiting for a few days from Southern California so I planned some ...
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Although Amador City is the smallest incorporated city in California, covering less than a square mile, it has lots to offer. It has a hotel and four great places to eat. Main Street is also dotted with unique shops, a wine tasting room or two and a museum.

Amador City: Where to Eat, Stay and Play

Although Amador City is the smallest incorporated city in California, covering less than a square mile, it has lots to ...
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When you visit Murphys, it will be obvious why it was voted one of the top ten coolest small towns in America. Take a trip back to the 1800s while enjoying great food, shopping, art galleries, outdoor activities and more.

Things to do in Murphys CA — More than Wine Tasting

If you haven't been to Murphys, you should definitely add it to your list of places to go in California's ...
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Small Town Wine Bar in California’s Smallest Incorporated City

When I learned that another eating and drinking establishment was opening in Amador City, I have to admit, I was ...
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Amtrak -- Sacramento to San Francisco -- who knew? Certainly not me. At least not until recently. I've lived here for more than three years and didn't know you could take Amtrak from Sacramento to San Francisco.

Amtrak from Sacramento to San Francisco

Amtrak -- Sacramento to San Francisco -- who knew? Certainly not me. At least not until recently. I've lived here ...
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The first time I went to Jamison's Ale House and Oyster Bar in Amador City, CA, I knew I would be going back often and would want to share it with you. You'll find things on the menu you won't find anywhere else in the county.

Oysters and Smoked Meats at Jamison’s Ale House

The first time I went to Jamison's Ale House and Oyster Bar in Amador City, CA, I knew I would ...
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Take a look at this post on Sutter Creek Heritage Days for a glimpse into the history of Sutter Creek, the gold rush era and the old West.

A Glimpse into Local History during Sutter Creek Heritage Days

Sutter Creek Heritage Days I think I saw more of Sutter Creek in a few hours during Heritage Days than ...
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The Roaring Camp Saturday Night Cookout is an evening full of adventure, food, fun, entertainment, education and history for the whole family.

Roaring Camp Saturday Night Cookout Experience

Of all the things I've done so far in Gold Country, one of my favorites is the Roaring Camp Saturday ...
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exterior of Imperial Hotel i Amador City

Imperial Hotel Amador City: Nobody Famous Slept Here

Amador City, population 200, was a booming town during the California gold rush. The Keystone Mine was one of the ...
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Dragon Gourmet Mushrooms in Sloughhouse, CA, practices sustainable farming to raise many exotic varieties on their mushroom farm. Farm-to-Fork.

Mushroom Farm Tour — Dragon Gourmet Mushrooms

UPDATE 2/15/22: Dragon Gourmet Mushrooms is permanently closed! Ryker retired in August and sold his equipment. Mushrooms are one of ...
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Take a motorcar ride in a vintage railroad maintenance-of-way work car in Ione, CA. You'll want to bring your camera for this 6 mile round trip ride into the beautiful foothills of Gold Country.

Riding the Rails by Motorcar in Amador County

When I first saw information about the motorcar ride in Ione, CA, I was intrigued. The stable where I had ...
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It's been two decades in the making but Troy and Cyndi Harrell's dream has finally come to fruition. They recently hosted a thank you/open house celebration for their Dog & Pony Ranch in Jackson, California. They officially became residents of Amador County the end of last year but waited for better weather to have the celebration for the completion of their home and luxurious Gold Country vacation rental.

Dog & Pony Ranch: Luxurious Gold Country Vacation Rental

It's been two decades in the making but Troy and Cyndi Harrell's dream has finally come to fruition. They recently ...
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For such a small hamlet, Volcano, CA, has a surprising number of places to eat, sleep and play. Here's the rundown to help you visit Volcano like a local.

Volcano, CA: Where to Eat, Stay and Play

Volcano is located in Amador County in the sierra foothills of Northern California's Gold Country. It is surrounded by natural ...
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Wildflowers to Snowshoeing in 30 Minutes or Less

When I lived in Southern California, I lived near the beach and loved that I could be in the mountains ...
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You can ride the train at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park every weekend April through October. The Wildflower Train is a special event in April.

Wildflower Train: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

I have always been fascinated by rail travel and just love riding a train any chance I get. That hasn't been ...
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The Electra Road wildflowers are spectacular this time of year and offer an added bonus to any hike along the road and the Mokulemne River.

Electra Road Wildflowers Take a Hike from Ordinary to Extraordinary

Hiking on Electra Road is not a very traditional hike or much of a challenge, but it is an excellent ...
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The Sacramento Zoo had a special animal enrichment event in celebration of Valentine's Day. The orangutans made the most of it. Check them out.

Animal Enrichment at the Sacramento Zoo

I have always loved going to the zoo. When I lived in Southern California, I went to the San Diego ...
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Did you know that the giant sequoias are the largest living thing to ever have existed on earth? You can visit them at several locations in Gold Country.

Awe Inspiring Giant Sequoias in Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Seeing the giant coastal redwoods (sequoia sempervirens) has always been on my bucket list. You would think that someone who has ...
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The Saucy Sisters cooking group recently took a foodie field trip to Allspicery, a new spice shop in downtown Sacramento. We were like kids in a candy store.

Everything Nice at Allspicery

Recently, the Saucy Sisters cooking group took a foodie field trip to Sacramento to visit, among other places, Allspicery. When Jan, the ...
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Lumberjack Day, held the first Saturday in October, is a day-long celebration of the history and traditions of the logging industry in Calaveras County.

Lumberjack Day in West Point, CA

You never know what you are going to run into when you are traveling around Gold Country. Yesterday I was ...
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View of crowd from stage at Scofield's Cowboy Campfire - Experience the old American West at Scofield's Cowboy Campfire in Fiddletown, CA, with a chuck wagon dinner and cowboy music from world-renowned performers.

Old West Music at Scofield’s Cowboy Campfire

Back in March I went to see Dave Stamey at The Call in Pine Grove. I had been wanting to see him ...
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Amador Flower Farm Daylilies

I've said it before, but I just have to say it again. I'm discovering that plants from bulbs have the most spectacular ...
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Volcano, CA is an amazing little town in the Sierra Foothills. It is a living history lesson and is the perfect place for a walking tour.

Volcano, CA: Perfect for a Walking Tour

How Volcano Got its Name When I first moved to Pine Grove in beautiful Gold Country and learned there was a ...
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We enjoyed a day of natural beauty a camaraderie on our Cronan Ranch trail ride. Cronan Ranch is part of the 25-mile South Fork American River Trail.

Cronan Ranch Trail Ride on Multi-Use Trails

When it comes to getting up and getting out, the one thing I did a lot of in Southern California ...
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Northern CA's Gold Country encompasses ten counties that lie along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains, reaching into the Sacramento Valley.

Gold Country: What and Where Is It?

Northern California's Gold Country, also known as the Mother Lode, encompasses ten counties that lie along the western slope of ...
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