Placerville is the perfect day trip for retirees. Also known as Hangtown, Placerville is located directly off Highway 50 and conveniently on the way to South Lake Tahoe. Retirees can enjoy all four seasons and a variety of cultural, recreational, and sporting activities.

As you stroll down Placerville’s Main Street, you’ll be transported back in time. Officially established in 1854, Placerville is only eight miles from the gold mining town of Coloma. A prosperous logging, agriculture, and gold mining town, Placerville still embraces its rich history today.

Known for its unique and diverse shopping, Placerville is also home to some of the oldest businesses west of the Mississippi. Some date back over 100 years! One-of-a-kind restaurants, antique shops, craft stores, olive oil and cheese markets, and art galleries line Main Street.

Autumn is one of our favorite seasons in Placerville because the town is bustling with activity and the beautiful rolling hills are covered in colorful fall foliage. It’s also apple season! Retirees will love living so close to Placerville because it’s also the home of the famous Apple Hill (http://www.applehill.com) farms. After a hearty breakfast in Placerville (we highly recommend Sweetie Pies Restaurant and Bakery – www.sweetiepies.biz), head on up to some of the more than 50 apple and fruit farms, wineries, bake shops and Christmas tree farms that line the winding roads throughout Placerville and beyond. For more than 50 years, these farms have attracted visitors with the aroma of fresh fruits, homemade baked goods, and good old-fashioned hospitality. We highly recommend visiting any of the Apple Hill farms!

Placerville also hosts a number of monthly and seasonal activities throughout the year. We highlighted just a few of our favorites below. For more information about events in Placerville, check out their events page at www.placerville-downtown.org/events.

Third Saturday Stagecoach Rides: Enjoy a free stagecoach ride down Placerville’s Historic Main Street every 3rd Saturday (except June and September) from 12pm-3pm. Call (530) 672-3436 for more information.

Third Saturday Art Walk: Every third Saturday from 5pm-9pm, art enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the art galleries and merchants along Main Street. Highlights include late night shopping, refreshments, music, and demonstrations. Call (530) 672-3436 for more information.

Saturday Farmers Market: Placerville hosts a wonderful farmers market from mid-May through mid-October. It runs from 8am-12pm and features fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, and more! The market is located on Main Street in the Ivy House lot near Cedar Ravine.

One of the reasons the Sacramento area is a wonderful place to live and retire is because of its proximity to Placerville and other charming small towns. So, are you ready to escape for the day? Head on up to Placerville. You won’t be disappointed!