Location & Nearby Attractions
“In the days of old, in the days of gold, in the days of ‘49”
— Bob Dylan
California State Highway 49, the “Mother Lode Highway,” can truly take you back to the days of ’49. The road connects gold rush mining camps, ghost towns and historic sites from Oakhurst in the south, to Sierra City in the north. It’s three hundred miles of beautiful country along the foothills of the Sierra Mountains. Twisting mountain roads, sheer granite walls, precipitous drops to swiftly moving rivers. Old buildings, gold mines, forgotten cemeteries. What better place to experience all this than Sutter Creek, CA - the Jewel of the Mother Lode!
77 Main Street
Sutter Creek, CA 95685
Our Victorian Jewel is located in the heart of Gold Country on Main St in Sutter Creek, about 2.5 hrs from the Bay Area and 50 min by car from Sacramento.
There are several wine tasting rooms and restaurants within walking distance. Don’t miss our beautiful creek, antique stores, and the Knight’s Foundry, America's last water-powered foundry and machine shop established in 1873. From precision equipment for our hard-rock gold mines, to the lights of San Francisco, and the impulse turbine systems that powered many of the state’s hydroelectric plants, the Foundry literally helped build California. Walk down to Eureka Street to visit this relic of Mother Lode gold mining history and don’t forget to grab some Gold Dust Pizza from across the street!
Suggested historic overview and a walk yourself tour of Sutter Creek, CA is available here.
Nearby Attractions
Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, history, or a beautiful jaunt through nature, our location at the foothills of the Sierras and in the midst of a quieter, more relaxed wine country in California makes The Foxie an ideal spot to curate and customize your own journey and experience of Amador County.
Wineries.
California’s nascent wine industry took flight during the Gold Rush of the 1850s, amid the rugged western foothills of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range. Within a few decades, there were over 100 wineries in the area known as the Mother Lode, more than any other region of California. Some of the vineyards planted during that era survive to this day.
In the late 1960s, a new generation of pioneers began migrating to the Gold Country’s Amador County, drawn by the region’s rolling, sun-drenched hillsides, warm daytime temperatures, and volcanic, decomposed granite soils – ideal conditions for producing top-quality wine grapes. Today, where gold once reigned, 40+ wineries comprising the Amador Vintners Association are dedicated to producing premium-quality wines that offer distinctive regional character and have earned Amador County international acclaim. Learn about varietals especially renown from our region here and download a map ( PDF | JPG ) to plan your itinerary. Don’t forget the several tasting rooms within walking distance of The Foxie and ask us about our current Foxie Favorites!
Caverns.
Black Chasm Cavern contains an incredible variety of speleothems but the highlight of the cavern is the incredible displays of helictite formations. While most cave visitors are familiar with “stalactites” and “stalagmites”, Black Chasm is decorated with these as well as millions of “helictite” formations. These amazing crystals seem to defy gravity as they twist and curl from the cave wall in every direction. Of all known caves on Earth, perhaps 5% contain helictites. Inside Black Chasm, helictites grow in each and every chamber and in such an abundance that Black Chasm was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1976 in recognition of this spectacular example of America's natural history. On the walking tour, guests will be guided by an experienced and knowledgeable cavern naturalist. The Minors Trail may also be accessible and features marble monoliths uncovered during hydraulic mining in the area. Ask us to suggest other local hikes as well!
Legends.
The Grinding Rock State Park is a 135 acre testament to the original people who inhabited this area for centuries, before being driven into less desirable land by settlers who arrived during the California Gold Rush. At the park, you can view 1,185 mortar holes ground into marbleized limestone rock and the Roundhouse that provides present-day descendants of the Miwok an opportunity to preserve their heritage and traditions through dancing, story telling, and games held throughout the year. Head to the Roaring Camp Mining Company between May-September to see an operating gold mine, find your own gold, dive into a secluded “swimming hole” with waterfalls and natural rock formations or experience superb fishing where the three forks of the Mokelumne River come together. A tour of the Kennedy Mine, one of the deepest gold mines in the world (at 5,912 feet) is a must for anyone wanting to understand how gold changed an entire way of life in California. Don’t miss the Tailing Wheels, a relic of early industrial waste management. You can even participate in paranormal investigations here!