Quick Summary:

  • Question: What is Placerville known for?
  • Answer: Most visitors come to Placerville to tour the many vineyards and wineries, but even if you are not a wine lover you will find plenty to do in and around Placerville.
  • Question: What are some attractions in Placerville for non-wine lovers?
  • Answer: You can tour a real gold mine at the Hangtown Gold Bug Park, take the kids to pick apples, or spend some time hiking and exploring in Eldorado National Forest.
  • Question: What other attractions can visitors explore in Placerville?
  • Answer: Other attractions include the Community Observatory, the Sherwood Demonstration Garden and El Dorado County Fair & Event Center.
  • Question: How far is Placerville from San Francisco?
  • Answer: Placerville is a 2 hr 20 min weekend getaway from San Francisco (129 miles via I-80 E and US-50 E/El Dorado Fwy).


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Go star gazing at the Community Observatory ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Attractions
Go star gazing at the Community Observatory | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Community Observatory

2. Take a tour of The Gold Bug mine at Hangtown’s Gold Bug Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tours
Take a tour of The Gold Bug mine at Hangtown’s Gold Bug Park | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Courtesy of bendicks - Fotolia.com

3. Go wine tasting at Lava Cap Winery

Category: Food & Drink
Go wine tasting at Lava Cap Winery | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Lava Cap Winery

4. Visit Holly’s Hill Vineyard

Category: Food & Drink
Visit Holly’s Hill Vineyard | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Holly’s Hill Vineyard

5. Taste Boeger Winery wines

Category: Food & Drink
Taste Boeger Winery wines | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Boeger Winery

6. Relax surrounded by nature at Eldorado National Forest

Category: Activities
Relax surrounded by nature at Eldorado National Forest | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Courtesy of haveseen - Fotolia.com

7. Try your luck at the Red Hawk Casino

Category: Entertainment
Try your luck at the Red Hawk Casino | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Courtesy of Fotolia.com

8. Step back in time at El Dorado County Historical Museum

Category: Attractions
Step back in time at El Dorado County Historical Museum | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© El Dorado County Historical Museum

9. Stop by the bakery at the Larsen Apple Ranch and Barn

Category: Food & Drink
Stop by the bakery at the Larsen Apple Ranch and Barn | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Larsen Apple Barn

10. Pick up delicious lunch at Boa Vista Orchards

Category: Activities
Pick up delicious lunch at Boa Vista Orchards | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Boa Vista Orchards

11. Have breakfast at High Hill Ranch

Have breakfast at High Hill Ranch | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© High Hill Ranch

12. Book a vineyard tour at Miraflores Winery

Tours
Book a vineyard tour at Miraflores Winery | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Miraflores Winery

13. Tour the David Girard Vineyards

Tours
Tour the David Girard Vineyards | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© David Girard Vineyards

14. Lear about sustainable gardening practices at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden

Category: Activities
Lear about sustainable gardening practices at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Courtesy of Ashley - Fotolia.com

15. Attend an event at Narrow Gate Vineyards

Category: Food & Drink
Attend an event at Narrow Gate Vineyards | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Narrow Gate Vineyards

16. Enjoy mountain views from the Sierra Vista Winery and Vineyards

Category: Food & Drink
Enjoy mountain views from the Sierra Vista Winery and Vineyards | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Sierra Vista Winery and Vineyards

17. Take an informative orchard tour at Grandpa’s Cellar

Tours
Take an informative orchard tour at Grandpa’s Cellar | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Grandpa’s Cellar

18. Visit El Dorado County Fair

Visit El Dorado County Fair | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© El Dorado County Fair

19. Hike along El Dorado Trail

Category: Activities
Hike along El Dorado Trail | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Courtesy of ssmalomuzh - Fotolia.com

20. Dine at Casa Los Abuelos

Category: Food & Drink
Dine at Casa Los Abuelos | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Courtesy of chandlervid85 - Fotolia.com

21. Have lunch at Sweetie Pie’s

Have lunch at Sweetie Pie’s | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Sweetie Pie’s

22. Have a romantic dinner at The Independent

Have a romantic dinner at The Independent | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© The Independent

23. Dine at Bricks

Category: Food & Drink
Dine at Bricks | Things to Do in Placerville, California
© Bricks

Summary & FAQ Go star gazing at the Community Observatory Take a tour of The Gold Bug mine at Hangtown’s Gold Bug Park Go wine tasting at Lava Cap Winery Visit Holly’s Hill Vineyard Taste Boeger Winery wines Relax surrounded by nature at Eldorado National Forest Try your luck at the Red Hawk Casino Step back in time at El Dorado County Historical Museum Stop by the bakery at the Larsen Apple Ranch and Barn Pick up delicious lunch at Boa Vista Orchards Have breakfast at High Hill Ranch Book a vineyard tour at Miraflores Winery Tour the David Girard Vineyards Lear about sustainable gardening practices at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden Attend an event at Narrow Gate Vineyards Enjoy mountain views from the Sierra Vista Winery and Vineyards Take an informative orchard tour at Grandpa’s Cellar Visit El Dorado County Fair Hike along El Dorado Trail Dine at Casa Los Abuelos Have lunch at Sweetie Pie’s Have a romantic dinner at The Independent Dine at Bricks

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