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Wine Tasting, Local Farms, Apple Hill El Dorado’s family-owned wineries beckon visitors with a wide diversity of award winning wines, friendly tasting room staffs, and idyllic views of snow-capped mountains and oak-studded foothills – and no tasting fees! Within minutes from the Inn, you will find Venezio Winery, Gold Hill Winery, and David Girard. Travel a little further afield, and you will find over 40 more wineries. More information can be found at the El Dorado Winery Association or at Wineries in El Dorado County. The best source for local farms and Apple Hill can be found at Farm Trails. Look for their signs as you travel the valley! Among our local favorites is Gold Hill Olive Oil and Hooverville Orchards. Whitewater Rafting One of the nation’s most popular rivers for whitewater rafting, the South Fork of the American River, flows right through Coloma, about 1 ½ blocks from the Inn. Ideal for beginners and intermediates, the river offers both excitement and challenge along with spectacular scenery. Class IV excitement is available on the Middle Fork of the American River. Information on the river and local programs can be found at The American River and California Whitewater Rafting. Want to book a trip? Choose from among our favorite rafting companies: Adventure Connection: Half day, full day, or two day river adventures for kids 7 to 75! All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting: Guiding people on California rivers for over 45 years. American Whitewater Expeditions: Join us for a fun outdoor adventure! ARTA River Trips: A non-profit corporation, Dedicated to preserving wild rivers and canyons. Mother Lode River Center: Thirty years experience, perfect safety record. Youth outdoor education, environmental programs, challenge ropes course. O.A.R.S.: First-class rafting on California's American, Tuolumne, Merced, Klamath and Stanislaus rivers since 1969 W.E.T. River Trips: - Nirvana is found on the river. Raft with us and see why W.E.T. is the premier California white water rafting company for California whitewater rafting trips. Hiking Day hikes are plentiful within the State Park. The Monroe Ridge Trail features vistas of the historic towns of Coloma and Lotus. The shorter Monument Trail meanders through oaks and pines to the Marshall Monument and picnic area. The American River Nature Center, 1/2 block from the Inn, offers natural history programs, exhibits and guided tours. Coloma is known for excellent wildlife viewing; field guides and binoculars are available for our guests. Antiques/Shopping/Restaurants Shopping can be found close by in Placerville and Auburn. We will be pleased to offer recommendations for our favorite antique stores – some of them off the beaten track! Hungry? There are local deli's, pizza, café's; a more complete listing can be found on the Coloma Valley website. The Sierra Nevada House has a wide range of dining options, along with special programs (movie and game nights, dance instruction) throughout the summer. Our favorite for dinner is the not-to-be-missed Café Mahjaic, which rivals some of the best restaurants in San Francisco. Wish we could eat there more often ourselves… Monday nights is our “challenge” night when it comes to restaurants, with many of our local restaurants closed. We maintain a “Monday Night Restaurant” list and will be happy to provide you with recommendations. Whatever your questions, whatever your needs, we are here to help! |
