Gold Country
Click below to explore each area . . .
Jan. 24, 1848, was one of the most significant dates in American history. That’s when James Marshall turned up a gold nugget at Sutter’s Mill near Coloma, setting off a gold rush that transformed the landscape and speeded up the march toward statehood.
The gold rush continues today in the form of tourism in a region encompassing the five counties plus the city of Folsom that we see above. Click on a picture to explore these regions. Sacramento County, which served as the main supply center for the Gold Rush, also counts itself a part of Gold Country. From a DogTrekker’s point of view, there’s lots of “gold” still to be discovered.
Mariposa, Placer and Tuolomne counties are members of the Gold Country Visitor's Association, but do not have individual pages. Lodging, chow, hikes, splashes, attractions and local services for these counties can be found through the left navigation tabs on this page.
One of our favorite destination apps for the iPhone and iPad this year is called the
NorCalGuide. This comprehensive app covers both the Gold Country as well as the Central Valley, from Sierraville in the north -- to Lake Tahoe in the east -- to Sacramento and Folsom in the west -- to Bakersfield in the south.
You'll find destination profiles, points of interest, photos, videos, maps and events in the palm of your hand,showcasing the best of Northern California in a format that's easy to use on the go. Visit the iTunes app store and search for
NorCalGuide. Check out your favorite dog-friendly Gold Country place on
DogTrekker.com, and then use this handy app to guide you to, and around, your destination. The great thing about this app, besides all the cool stuff, is that it is free!
more »
Our suggestion for an Eastern Sierra trip over a long weekend: Pick up Highway 395 in Reno or Carson City and spend the first night about 100 miles down the road at the dog-friendly Bridgeport Inn, a historic lodge in the Mono County town of Bridgeport. Two other excellent choices for travelers with pets are Walker River Lodge (also in town) and Virginia Creek Settlement, a compound encompassing a log-cabin motel, housekeeping cabins, tent cabins and campground on the shores of Virginia Creek five miles to the south. All are great jumping-off points for a “must do” visit to Bodie State Historic Park more »
A warm autumn weekend in the Apple Hill region offers a bumper crop of pup-friendly choices. Start by hanging your leash at a dog-friendly lodging such as the Mother Lode Motel, a newly renovated property with spacious grounds on the outskirts of Placerville, just five minutes from Apple Hill. more »
After a morning or afternoon of visiting dog-friendly farms and wineries, it just might be the perfect time to hit one of the dozens of dog-friendly trails you’ll find in California’s foothills and the Sierra Nevada. DogTrekker’s go-to resource for 48 of these can be found in Debbi Preston’s newest book, Dog-Friendly Trails For All Seasons. more »
Apple Hill isn’t all about apples. It’s a winemaking region, too, with 17 wineries and a brewery on the Wine Trail map.
more »
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Dog Travel Events
Folsom
Western Feed and Supply Splash Dog Dock Jumping
June 9, 2012 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2780 E. Bidwell St. , Folsom, California 95630
Map & directions
Penn Valley
4th Annual Wag ‘n’ Walk Costumed Dog Parade
June 10, 2012 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
18560 Penn Valley Drive , Penn Valley, California 95946
Map & directions
Tahoe City
Truckee Duckee Derbee
June 10, 2012 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Corner Highway 89 and Alpine Meadows Road, Tahoe City, California 96145
Map & directions
Placerville
Rattlesnake avoidance clinic
June 23, 2012 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Placerville, California
Map & directions
Emergency Services
Sonora Veterinary Group
21151 Old Sonora Columbia Road
Sonora, California 95370
Phone: (209) 532-3994
Animal Medical Center
1525 Grass Valley Highway
Auburn, California 95603
Phone: (530) 823-5166
Atlantic Street Veterinary Emergency Clinic and Hospital
1100 Atlantic St.
Roseville, California 95678
Phone: (916) 783-4655
Humane Societies/Shelters
Humane Society of the Sierra Foothills, Inc.
2945 Bell Road #175
Auburn, California
Phone: 530 823-6828
SPCA of Mariposa County
5599 State Highway 49 North
Mariposa, California
Phone: 209 966-5275
El Dorado Humane Society
777 Pleasant Valley Road
Diamond Springs, California 95619
Phone: (530) 642-2738
Veterinarians
Banfield Pet Hospital
2375 Iron Point Rd
Folsom, California 95630
Phone: (916) 817-2538
Blue Ravine Animal Hospital
1770 Prairie City Road
Folsom, California 95630
Phone: (916) 984-0990
Folsom Veterinary Hospital
803 Reading St.
Folsom, California 95630
Phone: (916) 985-4700