American River and Northern California Vacation

The American River runs from the Sierra Nevada to the San Joaquin Valley, eventually emptying into San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

History The Maidu peoples inhabited the American River for thousands of years before foreigners settled the region. They utilized the vast river resources for shelter, clothes, baskets, and other goods.

The California Gold Rush started in 1848 when gold was found on the American River. The South Fork in particular was a top destinations for early miners.

River Forks the American River is divided into the North, Middle, and South forks; the three forks originate in the Lake Tahoe area. All three forks are known for their verdant canyons, forested ridges, massive rock formations, trails, winter adventures, snowy peaks, fishing and white water rafting. Fish species that live within the American River include the Chinook salmon and Steelhead Trout. 

American River Parkway below Folsom Lake, the river passes through an urban area and riparian park containing fishing and family-oriented rafting, paved bicycling and multi-use trails. Also, Leidesdorff Ranch, a 35 thousand acre - 140 km² - cattle and wheat agribusiness.

Your anchor locations when visiting Northern California include Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, Sonoma and San Mateo Counties near San Francisco Bay

Ecosystem the climate of the California American River is Mediterranean; rainy winters and very dry summers. The region is prone to seasonal drought conditions. Sacramento County is known for its cool winters, and hot summers, with low average precipitation. Much of the Central Valley was historically wetlands, which made the ground very fertile and attractive for agriculture. The American provides Sacramento County with its main source of drinking water and houses a multitude of plants and wildlife, creating an immensely bio diverse ecosystem.

The American River Conservancy works to conserve the wildlife, aquatic and terrestrial habitats and resources around the American River watershed. The land they protect helps the American River water quality by conserving and resorting wet meadows, wetlands, and riparian areas. It also preserves the cultural and historic values of the river systems and surrounding landscapes.

Recreation whitewater rafting; the South Fork has Class III rapids, the Middle Fork has Class IV rapids, and the North Fork has Class IV spring run-off rapids. All three rivers also feature Class II sections.

Sacramento California

Natural Beauty History Cultural Attractions Cutting Edge Cuisine and Wineries

Sacramento sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers, and is an ideal destination for a Northern California itinerary and getaways to visit the Wine Country, Gold Country, the Redwoods, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic National Park and the Central Valley.

History Sacramento has a colorful history filled with humor, steam trains, ghosts, heroes and villains, the California Gold Rush and other tales of the Wild West.

Arts and Culture Sacramento has a vibrant arts and culture scene with Broadway series musicals shown downtown, murals painted all over the city and fine arts from ancient times to today showcased in museums and Midtown’s galleries, artists’ studios and performing arts groups.

The Performing Arts Sacramento has several top-caliber performing arts groups, including the Sacramento Ballet and the Sacramento Opera. Visitors can see shows in a variety of venues, including the historic Memorial Auditorium in downtown Sacramento and the Community Center Theater, parts of the Sacramento Convention Center complex.

The Museums in Sacramento cover everything from art and history to aviation and design. Explore the California Impressionists at the Crocker Art Museum, historic architecture at the Governors' Mansion and the California Museum for exhibits on all aspect of California life.

The Best Railroad Museum in North America

Outdoors with more than 250 days of sunshine a year and just a short drive from the Sierra Nevada this city offers whitewater rafting, hiking, bicycling, skydiving and other extreme sports.

Bicycling on a 32 miles bike trail along the scenic American River Parkway.

River rafting down the American River from historic Folsom to Sacramento. Launch a boat on the Sacramento River and explore the waterway, passing under Tower and I Street Bridges.

Parks Capitol Park is full of statues and monuments as well as the trees native to California. McKinley Park in East Sacramento has a beautiful rose garden, Southside Park features a unique playground, a pond that reflects fall colors and the city skyline. Also, 28-acre Old Sacramento State Historic Park.

Festivals include the Save Mart Grape Escape, Gold Rush Days and the Farm-to-Fork Celebration.

Walk around Old Sacramento, visit fully restored Gold Rush-era buildings then head through the bustling downtown and Midtown’s vibrant restaurant scene and nightlife venues.

Food Wine and Brew Sacramentans love to eat outside and many restaurants have outdoor seating, cafes settings, secluded courtyards or even an entire wall opening to the elements.

Farms from the Sacramento region supply the world’s best restaurants with fresh ingredients every day and has recently been proclaimed the Farm-to-Fork Capital of America recognizing the area’s local farmland, food production, export practices and a vibrant culinary scene shaped by the growing number of top rated chefs and restaurants in the region.

Wineries the city is surrounded on all sides by a diverse selection of wine regions that have achieved an international reputation and the local winemakers enjoy greeting visitors personally!

Breweries get an inside look at a brew house, grounds, sustainability practices and packaging facilities. Learn about the history of Sierra Nevada and its role as a pioneer of the craft brewing movement.

Lake Tahoe in Nevada and California

Native People Gold and Silver Discoveries Ski Resorts Museums and Mansions

Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine freshwater lake and second deepest in North America. Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains between Nevada and California, it is home to ski resorts and other year round tourism and recreation activities. Formed about 2 million years ago, it is known for the clarity of its water and the panorama of surrounding mountains on all sides.

Native People the area around Lake Tahoe was previously inhabited by the Washoe tribe whose territory, included the upper valleys of the Walker, Carson and Truckee Rivers. The word Tahoe derives from a Washo word meaning The Lake.

The Mining Era with the discovery of gold in 1848, thousands of gold seekers passed near the basin on their way to the gold fields. Europeans arrived in the Lake Tahoe basin with the discovery of the Comstock Lode silver deposit 15 miles - 24 km – in Virginia City, Nevada. From 1858 until about 1890, logging in the basin supplied large timbers to shore up the mines’ underground workings.

Development during the first half of the 20^th century, development around the lake consisted of a few vacation homes, followed by the post-World War II building boom, construction of gambling casinos in the Nevada part of the basin, and completion of the interstate highway for the 1960 Winter Olympics.

 Squaw Valley is North America’s Most Renowned Ski Resort

Hellman-Erhman Mansion is a grand but informal summer home completed in 1903 and considered to be one of the finest in the high Sierra. The building site was originally a sand hill. Tons of topsoil were brought from the back country to provide the base for lawns and gardens. Building materials for the house were obtained locally; the granite from Meeks Bay and the lumber from Hobart Mills, north of Truckee. The spiral staircase rises to the second floor where a hall runs north and south joining the eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The rooms were furnished with brass beds and Navajo rugs.

The US West the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Coast

Emerald Bay State Park is located in the southwest corner of Lake Tahoe and is a National Natural Landmark. A vividly colored oval embayment of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay was formed by moraines as parallel glaciers receded. The site is an outstanding example of glacial geology.

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The North Lake Tahoe Historical Society NLTHS was founded in 1969 by a group of concerned citizens who were passionate about preserving Tahoe’s history, and telling its stories. The NLTHS preserves, presents and interprets Lake Tahoe history through its three museums located in Tahoe City:

Gatekeeper’s Museum is located on an ancient Washoe campsite. The museum contains an eclectic collection of Tahoe history, including photographic collections, oral histories and transcription, newspapers, court ledgers, maps and written materials, letters, clothing, artifacts and furniture.

Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum a collection of over 800 baskets, pottery, clothing, dolls and artifacts from over 85 tribes nationwide.

Watson Cabin a 1909 log cabin listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest Tahoe City house that still sits where it was originally built, in the middle of the town.

Tahoe Maritime Museum preserves Lake Tahoe’s rich maritime history and stimulate interest and increase knowledge and maintain watercraft and marine artifacts significant in Lake Tahoe’s maritime history through the highest standards of historic preservation, innovative interpretation and public education.

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