Delightful Day ips to the Divide

by ALLIE BEHR photography courtesy of EL DORADO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and LOCAL BUSINESSES

As we head deeper into summer and warmer weather, we thought about the wonderful foothill towns in our area, and while there are way more than three to explore (to be sure), we chose Cool, Coloma and Georgetown to highlight. Why? Not just because they are awesome, but they are defi nitely cooler spots to explore if you’re looking to get out of the heat.

Cool

What is so cool about Cool? It’s an authentic American town with a small-but-mighty community, and it’s full of family businesses that locals and visitors love.

● WHERE TO EAT

Start your day with biscuits and gravy at the new Stubby’s Breakfast & BBQ. If rising early isn’t your thing, enjoy your Saturday on the shaded deck listening to live music with a cold beer and a Longhorn tri-tip. Owners Dylan Smith and Katherine Green share, “We renovated everything ourselves and are now fully up and run ning!”

For those of us who enjoy a quick pick me up, treat yourself to coffee and pastries at Sierra Mountain Espresso where they roast their beans daily. If beer is your priority, sample home brewed drafts at Cool Beerwerks that pair perfectly with the Hawaiian cuisine, like poke nachos, and an excellent selection of fresh sushi. Dina Gentry, who grew up on the Divide and is a current Cool resident, explains, “An amazing family runs Beerwerks, and it is a diamond in the rough. You do not need to leave the hill for gourmet rolls.”

No matter if you’re flying solo in Cool or bringing the whole family, check out the older Cool institution, American River Pizza & Grill, and then head to Cool Florist and Gifts for some delicious gourmet chocolate that is not to be missed. While this mother-and-daughter team is known for their fresh bouquets, they also sell great souvenirs like jewelry, candles and T-shirts.

● PLACES TO EXPLORE

In between Cool’s delicious dining spots, visit the Penobscot Ranch . It served as a Gold Rush livery stable and stagecoach stop for travelers who came from around the world to fi nd their fortune. e Penobscot Public House built in 1850 still stands, as does the 1920s barn and chicken coop. Please call ahead for a tour as Penobscot is still an active ranch and residence.

If you’re visiting on a weekend, stop by the RosaLucca family estate vineyard to taste their wines on the patio, often with live local music—anything from Johnny Cash covers to swing, blues and jazz. For country music fans, the Milestone Saloon offers line dancing lessons on Tuesdays. Maybe stop fi rst at Made of the Right Stuff to fi nd a beautifully crafted leather belt or even chaps for the perfect Western outfit.

For a more rugged day, join the hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders along the Olmstead Loop Trail. Named after Dan Olmstead for his dedication to harmony among trail users, the trail is well marked with “Yield To” signs for bikes and horses. Park behind the Cool fi re station and enter the trailhead from the south end of the lot. e Olmstead loop begins with open grasslands and rolling hills full of oak trees, birds, and roaming sheep, and then continues onto steeper canyon trails and descents. Whether you go the entire 8.8 miles or turn around sooner, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the American River and the Sierra, and you can dip your toes into the Knickerbocker Creek to cool off.

Coloma

Coloma became famous when James Marshall found gold there in 1848. e Nisenan Native Americans inhabited the area long before, but they didn’t value gold highly and preferred trading in beaded shells, animal skins and feathers. Known as the heart of the Gold Rush, Coloma today is worth more than its weight in gold.

● WHERE TO EAT

If you arrive in Coloma in the morning, plan to stop at the Sierra Rizing Bakery, a favorite spot for fresh pastries and pies. Celebrating their 20th anniversary this summer, Sierra Rizing has food that never disappoints.

For lunch, check out another Coloma institution, the River Shack Deli and Pub, or the more recently opened Gorilla Rock Taco nearby. Both restaurants are popular gathering spots for river rafters and other recreationalists in the area. Grab a sandwich or a handful of tacos to wash down with a craft beer.

For Middle Eastern food, e Lotus Pub is ready to welcome you with fresh menu options and a relaxing, friendly atmosphere. If you’re in the mood for a lavender latte, head to Argonaut Farm to Fork Cafe in a historic building alongside Coloma’s original post office and Marshall’s Blacksmith Shop in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

● PLACES TO EXPLORE

After satisfying any hunger you may have brought with you, be sure to explore Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

It includes guided walking tours, gold-panning lessons, and a museum that illustrates Coloma’s Native American, Gold Rush and agricultural history. You can also park there ($10) and walk to the Dutch Creek Falls trailhead. Along the way, you’ll cross the historic one-way Coloma Bridge built in 1915. e Dutch Creek trail is 1.4 miles—or about 3 miles if you walk from the park. It passes through rolling hills onto steeper sections near the Dutch Creek and Johntown Falls, and it’s well worth it on a hot day. Another great hike is the 2.5-mile Gam Saan Trail through shaded oak groves and a Chinese burial site. Its name honors Chinese miners and means “Gold Mountain’’ in Cantonese. e Henningsen Lotus Park nearby has a beach and picnic area with a quarter-mile loop that is wheelchair accessible.

If Coloma is your favorite place to whitewater raft, given our wet winter, we’ll have excellent rafting along the American River this summer. Whether you’re up for a gentle Class 3 or a rapid Class 5, sign up for a half day, full day or even an overnight trip. Some of the Coloma outfitters include Whitewater Excitement , OARS and WET River Trips. Visit visit-eldorado.com/whitewaterrafting for more information.

“The wet winter has teed us up for an amazing summer of whitewater rafting,” says Executive Director of El Dorado County Tourism Jody Franklin. “The professional guides know the river, so you feel safe while having a ton of fun!”

Before you head out of town, don’t forget to pick up a souvenir from local artisans at the Blue Lotus 530 H andmade Market They offer an incredible array of art pieces, including hand-quilted blankets, baskets, and birdcages, paintings and jewelry. You might also venture across the street to the Coloma Club to shoot pool and listen to local bands for a lively finish to your day.

Georgetown

Georgetown is a charming town with a vibrant Main Street. “Georgetown is such a quaint and colorful town,” says Franklin. “The small shops and friendly shop owners are such a welcome change of pace to the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.”

The nickname “Growlersburg” refers to the sound of gold nuggets “growling” in a miner’s pan or pocket. Georgetown is also called the Gateway to the Rubicon because it’s a starting point to the Rubicon Trail to Lake Tahoe. Originally a st agecoach road, the 22-mile route is now famous for Georgetown’s Jeepers Jamboree and other a ll-terrain vehicle adventures.

l WHERE TO EAT

No matter if you’ve completed your hike or just arrived in Georgetown, head to the small, bustling Corner Kitchen for a hearty breakfast. You can also grab somethi ng from Shandey’s, a new family-run food truck— actually, Airstream—on Main Street that serves everything from breakfast burritos to steak sandwiches and soft serve ice cream.

In town, you can also fi nd the restaurant e Divide, designed to feel like you’re in a gold mine. Who knew miners could dine on Hickory Hotcakes with Berry Mimosas or Badass BLTs with a Rubicon IPA?! Just around the corner is the Georgetown Distillery that serves master-crafted vodka, gin, rum and whiskey to wash down dishes like Quail Wellington and Gold Rush Wings. Says Gentry, “Come see Aaron Stone at the Divide and Tanya Edelman at the Distillery! ey are genu i nely good people who love our community and will take care of you.”

Before you head out of town, don’t forget to check out the century-old Georgetown Hotel and Saloon. e grand old bar is decorated with a pressed tin ceiling, mining picks, lanterns— and wait, what?—a gold miner’s leg! You’ll want to see for yourself if it’s real. “We are regulars at the hotel and saloon because it is fi lled with friendly individuals, good entertainment and great food. Jerome Cato is the owner. If you are lucky enough, you may just see him there!”

● PLACES TO EXPLORE

Start with a hands-on experience of Georgetown’s history at the Buff alo Hill Center that hosts an outdoor museum of antique vehicles and equipment, including an 1880 Rubicon Flyer mountain coach. en head to Main Street, perhaps with a stop at the Georgetown Pioneer

Cemeter y where headstones honor some of the earliest gold miners. Many headstones were carved from marble slabs used as ballast to keep ships steady as they brought gold seekers to California.

Be sure not to miss the Art on the Divide gallery in a building that initially housed mining explosives. Now the gallery is home to gorgeous works by local artists, and occasionally workshops for jewelry and stained glass making and even pruning in their rose garden.

Another essential stop to make before you head out of town is Main Street Mercantile for unique gifts, antiques, cowboy hats, women’s clothing and more! Everything is sourced by local vendors. is is just a sampling of El Dorado County’s Georgetown Divide towns to explore. Enjoy a trip this summer!