Discover secret springs, romantic vineyards, and charming towns.

The rolling foothills along this 300-mile route take on an amber glow in the early morning light and at sunset, reminding visitors that they truly are in the Golden State. Much of the historic highway is still composed of a two-lane road that winds leisurely through tiny towns full of reasons to park the car and explore. At the northern portion of the route, bike along forest trails around the town of Downieville, and relax sore muscles at Sierra Hot Springs . The picturesque Gold Rush-era towns of Nevada City and Placerville offer world-class dining and bed & breakfasts. Explore the Amador wine region , and don’t miss Columbia State Historic Park , widely recognized as the state’s best-preserved Gold Rush town. Farther south, thrill seekers can get their fix by rappelling into Moaning Caverns or taking the zipline over the rugged foothills. For a perfect finish, the highway ends in the quaint town of Oakhurst , the gateway to majestic Yosemite.

February 23, 2012 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
In honor of Sacramento’s designation as “Camellia Capital of the World,” volunteers from the State Capitol Museum will create and distribute complimentary camellia corsages to State Capitol visitors, California State Legislators, the Governor’s office and Capitol staff. And these are no ordinary flowers -- the camellias will be cut from Capitol Park bushes and trees by the Department of General Services groundskeepers. Camellias have bloomed in Sacramento since the 1850s when pioneers brought and planted seeds from Boston.