El Dorado

El Dorado County Historical Museum

Exhibits include one of the largest displays on Maidu culture and basketry, Miwok and Washoe basketry, and American settlement and mining history
Museum Research Library contains a large collection of historical photographs, documents, computerized research data, historical records, and books relating to El Dorado County
Location: 104 Placerville Drive on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville
Open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. The research room (only) is open to the public for research on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: free
Call (530) 621-5865
Visit https://www.edcgov.us/Government/Museum/homenew

Fountain-Tallman Museum

In the oldest building in downtown Placerville, which housed the Fountain Tallman Soda Works, built in 1852
Features historical artifacts from Placerville and memorabilia from the Stella Tracey collection
Location: 524 Main Street in Placerville
Open April to October, Friday through Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m.; November to March, Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Call (530) 626-0773
Visit https://www.eldoradocountyhistoricalsociety.org/?page_id=30

Gold Bug Park and Mine

Enter the actual Gold Bug Mine or a stamp mill
The Museum houses many tools and other artifacts from the locale.
Interpretive and educational panels surround the room showing the local geology and the process of prospecting for gold.
The gift shop provides books recounting the history of the local gold rush, as well as California.
Location: 1 mi. north of Highway 50 on Bedford Avenue in Placerville
Open year round from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; mine, stamp mill, museum, and gift shop are open April to October, daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the mine is open November to March, weekends only from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Admission to mine and stamp mill: $3 adults, $1 children (5-16), children under 5 are free. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Call (530) 642-5207
Visit http://www.goldbugpark.org

Lake Tahoe Museum

Features displays that chronicle the development of the Lake Tahoe Basin from earliest occupation by Native American through its nineteenth century development to the present time
Artifacts include Washoe Indian basketry; logging, shipping, and railroad objects; and pioneer and farm displays
Location: 3058 Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe
Open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, daily
Call (530) 541-5458

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

Learn about the discovery of gold and the California gold rush era at the site of discovery
Features exhibits on the gold rush era and its impact on the region
Visit a replica of Sutter’s Mill, the site where gold was first discovered in Northern California
Location: 310 Back Street in Coloma, approximately 8 mi. north of Placerville on Highway 49
Open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset
Entrance fee $5 per car; museum open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission: free
Call (530) 622-3470
Visit https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=484