Visitors of all ages will love the beautiful town of Auburn. Auburn is conveniently located off Highway 80, approximately 35-40 minutes east of downtown Sacramento. Bay Area residents love Auburn because it’s a great rest stop nearly halfway between San Francisco and North Lake Tahoe. Auburn boasts numerous restaurants, grocery stores, cafés, coffee shops, and convenient stores. Tahoe-bound travelers can stock up on supplies and fill their bellies before heading up the mountain.

But, Auburn isn’t just a rest point, it’s a destination all to itself. It’s is a perfect day trip for Sacramento retirees and families because it offers a little something for everyone. Start your day trip with a hearty breakfast at our favorite breakfast diner, Awful Annie’s. Whether you enjoy eggs benedict, breakfast burritos, pancakes, or their “Awful Waffles”, you won’t be disappointed. Check out their full menu at www.awfulannies.com. After breakfast, stroll through Old Town Auburn and peruse some of their unique antique shops, craft stores, and art galleries. You won’t want to miss a close-up of the town’s centerpiece, the historic courthouse. While the courthouse continues to function as one of the state’s 58 trial courts, it’s also the home of the Placer County Museum. The music includes the Placer County gold collection, the renowned Pate Collection of American Indian artifacts, and Thomas Kinkade’s famous “Auburn Centennial” painting.

History buffs will also enjoy the Old Town Walking Tour. This hour-long tour begins at the Auburn Courthouse and is available to the public every Saturday morning at 10am. The tour includes tours of the restored sheriff’s office, Placer County gold collection, restored women’s jail, and gallery exhibits on Placer County history. Auburn also boasts a number of other museums worth visiting including the Bernhard Museum (www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/Facility/Museums/LocalMuseums/bernhard.aspx) and the Gold Rush Museum (www.placer.ca.gov/departments/facility/parks/parks-content/museums/gold-country-museum).

Auburn is also becoming a hot spot for wineries. The Mt. Vernon Winery is one of our favorites. They feature wine cave dinners, a winery concert series, and of course, a large selection of award winning, hand-crafted Placer County wines. Check them out at www.mtvernonwinery.com. To sample a selection of Placer County’s finest food and wine, you won’t want to miss the annual Auburn Wine Festival. This event occurs in October and is hosted by various wineries and restaurants in downtown and Old Town Auburn. For more information, visit their website at www.auburnwinefestival.com.

Auburn is bursting with things to do! Retirees, families, and people of all ages love taking day trips to Auburn. Whether you’re looking for a delicious breakfast, a fun day of antique shopping, a gorgeous hike, a bountiful farmer’s market, or a romantic dinner, Auburn has it all. The Sacramento area is a great place to live, work, and play. Its location is perfect for day trips to some of California’s most beautiful, historic, and charming towns. For more information about Sacramento’s real estate market or to check out available listings in the area, call Witham Real Estate at 916-718-1751.