Auburn, founded by inhabitants of the town of the same name in New York State in the year the gold rush started (1849), lies on the Transcontinental Highway 80, about 30mi/50km north of Sacramento. Its carefully restored old town, with houses from the middle of the 19th century - including an interesting fire-station and the oldest post-office in continuous use in California - reminds us of the gold rush era.
Auburn State Recreation Area is located on the American River. It contains about 35,000 acres with 50 miles of river featuring whitewater that is ideal for rafting. There are also trails for hiking and horse riding.
The Bernhard House in Auburn, which adjoins the Placer County Museum, has Victorian furniture and old photographs are on display.
The house is furnished to reflect the lifestyle of a farm family in the 1890's. The brick building was completed in 1881, it has been restored to exhibit the equipment essential to early viticulturists. The complex also includes a reconstructed Carriage Barn, which houses historic vehicles ranging from a farm wagon to an early hearse.
The Auburn Gold Country Museum depicts the early days of Placer County. Displays of old mining equipment and exhibits of mining methods are seen. There's also a stamp mill and a period saloon.
Hours:
11am-4pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Of interest in Auburn is the Placer County Museum in which the early times of the Auburn region are documented, for example by means of old gold-digging tools, as well as Indian and Chinese artifacts.
Hours:
10am-4pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Members of the Placer County Museum Docent Guild will provide tours of the museum upon request.
Read More
Read Less
Auburn, Sacramento
