About Amador County

Amador County covers 568 square miles ranging from gently rolling slopes in the west to rugged mountain terrain in the east. Elevations range from 200 to 9,000 feet. The county seat is the town of Jackson, incorporated in 1905. Other incorporated communities are Amador City, Ione, Plymouth and Sutter Creek. Key state highways through Amador County are Highways 49, stretching generally north-south, and Highway 88, running east-west. A scenic area with a rich Gold Rush history, Amador County is a favorite tourist destination. It is approximately 45 miles to the east of the cities of Sacramento and Stockton, and also draws tourists from San Francisco, 147 miles to the west, as well as Southern California. Click here to read our history.

SPECIAL EVENTS

WINE TOURING

When you think of California wineries, Napa and Sonoma are, of course, the places that jump to mind. But long before Napa was the center of wine culture in California, the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevada were home to some of the most scenic and fruitful wineries in the state. Prohibition changed that -- the wineries in this former Gold Rush area folded and didn't recover for nearly 50 years.

Today it's home to more than 40 thriving wineries, many of them now producing celebrated vintages. For more information: www.amadorwine.com

GOLD FEVER

Try your hand at gold panning in the heart of the Mother Lode. Visit the historic Kennedy Gold Mine in Jackson. Season is mid-March through October, weekends only. For information and tour reservations call 209-223-9542. Sutter Gold Mine - located between Sutter Creek and Amador City is a spectacular mine filled with history and visual delight. For further information, call 1-888-818-7462, or (209) 276-5280.

DAFFODIL HILL

Enjoy 4 acres of daffodils with over 300,00 bulbs at this beautiful private farm. The season opens Mid-March through Mid-April (weather dependent). The hours are 9-5 daily when open. Call the Chamber of Commerce at 209-223-0350 to verify opening date.

GOLF

CASTLE OAKS
Location: Northwest of Ione on Castle Oaks Drive off Highway 104: Par: 71: Yardage: 6,759 yards: USGA rating: 72.7. 209-274-0167.

MACE MEADOW
Location: Highway 88 in Pioneer; Par:72: Yardage: 6,285 yards: USGA rating: 70.1. 29-295-7020.

BEING ACTIVE

Kirkwood Ski Resort, offering some of the finest downhill and cross country skiing in the Lake Tahoe Area, is at the north end of Amador County, an easy drive "up-country", (209-258-6000).

There are many lakes in the area - Lake Amador, Lake Camanche, and Pardee Lake are noted for fishing. Gently rolling hills and country roads provide many opportunities for hiking and biking.

DINING AND SHOPPING

From casual to elegant, you will find a wealth of opportunities to experience the culinary delight of this Gold Country region.

And the shopping? Here you will find a multitude of small town stores filled with fascinating goods, interesting people, one-of-a-kind antiques and collectibles.