Table of contents
Where to stay?
There are plenty of Airbnbs in town - We recommend The MotoRetreat!
Winter warnings
- If you don’t have a 4x4, you’re going to need chains to get around town, and to get to town after a storm. Chain controls on US-50 are common. The speed limit is 25mph when chains are required. Read more about chain controls here.
- Sly Park Rd can be especially icy - watch out for black ice. Drive very slowly when the temperature is below freezing!
- Use our chain controls page or the “Caltrans QuickMap” app (iOS / Android) or website to see where chain controls are.
What to do?
- Visit Sly Park (otherwise known as Jenkinson Lake). Hike to the waterfall! You can see if the waterfall is flowing here.
- Go hiking or mountain biking in the Eldorado National Forest. Check out the Fleming Meadow Trail System, only 7 miles away.
- Go offroading! Mormon Emigrant Trail allows 4x4s to play in the winter (details here). The rest of the El Dorado National Forest has many trails for 4x4s, dirt bikes, and ATVs! Check out the National Forest MVUMs (Motor Vehicle Use Maps) for more information. Additionally, Pollock Pines is only 40 miles from the historic Rubicon Trail! Want a guided tour? Check out Rubicon Trail Adventures.
- Visit Bassi Falls, Ice House Reservoir, Union Valley Reservoir, Big Hill Lookout, and Loon Lake - all in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area (just up Ice House Road).
- Visit Apple Hill. Bring home a blueberry-apple-sour cream pie from Boa Vista, one of our favorites!
- Go white water rafting in Lotus/Coloma, 35 minutes away. I recommend Phil the guide at Tributary
- South Lake Tahoe is ~1 hour away
- Sierra-At-Tahoe ski resort is 45 minutes away
Restaurants in town
- 50 Grand Restaurant and Bar
- Burger Barn
- Pizza Factory
- Sportsman’s Hall
- Subway (inside the Shell Station)
- C&Ts
- South Fork 1848 Eatery & Bakeshop. Great sandwiches!
- Knott Hole (across from the Sly Park entrance)
- Knotty Pine Lanes (bowling alley & bar)
- Paco’s Mexican Restaurant (6530 Pony Express Trl, next to Pizza Factory)
Restaurants just out of town
- Highway 50 Brewing (Camino) - live music!
- Sierra Taphouse & Pizza (Camino)
- Tropics Island Grill & Ale House (Camino)
- The Forester Pub & Grill (Camino)
- Smith Flat House (Placerville)
- Solid Ground Brewing (Diamond Springs)
- Geartooth Aleworks (Placerville)
Local wineries
Did you know that El Dorado has its own AVA (American Viticultural Area)? There are many wineries in the area, and they are all excellent! Here are a few of our favorites:
- Lava Cap
- Boeger
- Miraflores
- Starfield note: reservations required
- Edio Vineyards at Delfino Farms
- Myka Estates
A full list can be found on the El Dorado AVA Wikipedia Page