Driving north from Sacramento on Interstate 80 to Reno takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and to some of the most historic Gold Rush towns in the country. Following some old wagon trails, today’s Interstate 80 actually begins in San Francisco and passes through Sacramento, at the crest of Donner Summit, which was the site of the unfortunate Donner Party tragedy in the mid-1800s. The Interstate follows the main trail of emigrants to California, which many followed during the 1848-1849 Gold Rush. At the top of the beautiful Donner Lake sits a glowing gem among the towering mountains and is the site of many activities such as swimming, State Park is located here and is the site of the Emigrant Trail Museum and the Monument that commemorates them who immigrated to California in the mid-1800s.
Included in the museum are displays and information about the Donner Party, who camped in severe weather at the eastern end of Donner Lake in the winter of 1846-47, resulting in great human suffering and loss of life. Interstate 80 is the main East/West artery in Northern California and runs parallel to the railroad and to some Gold Rush towns with colorful names such as Colfax, Gold Run, Dutch Flat and Cisco. Portions of I-80, formerly US 40 and Lincoln Road, in the greater Bend-Donner Lake area, are still open as a scenic route during the summer months. During the winter, however, the heavy snow can still be so bad that roads have to be temporarily closed — portions of Interstate 80. But once the roads are cleared climbing this part of the road in winter can be one of the most beautiful times to visit. A towering pine covered in heavy snow glistened in the sun, commuting down the Interstate in a winter wonderland. The following is a brief guide to some of the most interesting towns found on California’s Northern Interstate 80.
Auburn is a historic town located just 30 miles northeast of Interstate 80 in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Among the oldest towns in California gold mining, founded in 1848, when gold was discovered in Auburn Ravine. It has retained its heritage in the beautiful “Old Town Auburn,” which is visible from Interstate 80. The historic city. the area offers tons of shops, galleries, hotels and bed and breakfast shops. The town of Auburn is located near the American River and offers some white water rafting. and kayaking in the state. You’ll also find lots of hiking and biking trails in the area, golf courses, skiing and camping. For special events, don’t miss a good time rolling at the Auburn Wild West Stampede, an annual event that has Auburn has been held since the 1800s and is one of the largest rodeos in the country. Other annual events include the Gold Country Fair and the Country Christmas Festival. If you take Historic Highway 49 south of Auburn about 18 miles, you will come to the small town of Coloma. which was the site of the first discovery of gold in the state of California on January 24, 1848. This was an event that, of course, had an impact on the entire nation. The section of Highway 49 from Auburn to Coloma runs through the rugged North Canyon and Middle Fork of the American River, making it difficult to travel with large RVs. Coloma can also be accessed via Highway 50 from Sacramento/Placerville.
Heading the other side, (north) on Historic Highway 49 from the town of Auburn, you will pass through two of the most beautiful Gold Rush cities in Northern California. The grass of the valley has crept into the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, and dates back to the mid-1800s. Nearby is the My Empire State Historic Park, which leads to my daily tours of towns, villages, and towns. and gardens. Grass Valley enjoys a unique lifestyle with a combination of small town charm, exceptional outdoor-recreation opportunities and cultural events. You can take a guided white water rafting tour of the American neighbors, the Yuba and Truckee Rivers, fishing, hiking; or camping, and in the winter, Grass Valley has easy access to all of Northern California’s ski resorts. With four distinct seasons in this part of the city, spring is also the most popular season when the hills become more beautiful and are covered with beautiful flowers. The grass valley is also filled with antique shops, museums, art galleries, theaters and live concerts.
A little farther north of Grass Valley lies Nevada City, one of the gold rush towns of California. Nevada City oozes old fashioned charm and elegance. The town started as a mining camp in 1849, and quickly grew to become the wealthiest gold mining town in California. At one time it was the third largest city in the state and is considered the best preserved gold mining town in the west. Central region in Nevada City listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Nevada City has become a haven for artists, writers, and musicians. The town also offers live theater and music, antique and specialty shops, art galleries and museums. The town square is one of the most interesting attractions with its historical treasures; Victorian-architecture and ancient street lamps. As Nevada City borders Tahoe National Forest, you are only minutes from mountain lakes, streams, and rivers that are filled with fishing. , boating, hiking, biking and fitness opportunities. From Nevada City, you can travel east on Highway 20, which eventually connects with Interstate 80 above Emigrant Gap and continues through the High Sierra Truckee mountain range and into Reno, Nevada.
Back in Auburn, if you continue north on Interstate 80, (before you venture onto Historic Route 49,) you will see the exit for the town of Colfax. It’s a quaint little town at an elevation of 2,400 feet, which is below the heavy snow line, but above the winter fog in the valley below. Located between the Bear River and the North Shore of the American River, Colfax offers biking and hiking trails, park access to rivers and lakes Ask someone in town for directions to the Bear River (a secret retreat that won’t let you down). The history of Colfax is closely tied to the gold rush and the original transcontinental railroad. A wooden-sided caboose is on display along Colfax’s historic downtown Main Street and other attractions include an original 1905 passenger train, which is now being restored. Just outside of Colfax is the famous Cape Horn, known as one of the most difficult and dangerous sections of construction for the Transcontinental Railroad. From Colfax, you can continue east on I-80 to Truckee and Reno, or take highway 174 to Cedar Ridge, which eventually connects to Highway 49 in Grass Valley.
