Catch the glint of gold in Georgetown
Once a gold rush camp, the old-time miners really hit the mother lode in Georgetown, and you might feel the same way about your Georgetown vacation rental. It's a sleepy, chilled-out little place, popular with an eclectic mix of wilderness hikers, nature enthusiasts, wine buffs, and 4x4 drivers looking to chance their new Jeep against the trials of the nearby Rubicon trail. Vacation favorites like Lake Tahoe, historic Placerville, and buzzing Sacramento are never far away, but a stay in Georgetown lets you enjoy the quiet life too. Because a bit of silence is golden.
Mined how you go round here
If you can ever bring yourself to leave your Georgetown vacation rental, then the county seat, Placerville, is just a half-hour drive away, and is a goldmine of attractions. Many are inevitably geared around the old West, including the Eldorado County Historical Museum and the Fountain & Tallman Museum, while the center of town features plenty of gold rush-era buildings, including the oldest hardware store west of the Mississippi. The Gold Bug mine lets you take a tour into a genuine mine, and assuming you don't strike it rich, you can console yourself with a glass or two at one of the area's many wineries.
Crossing the Rubicon with a Georgetown vacation rental
If there seem to be a lot of souped-up 4WD vehicles passing through, it's because they're all on their way to drive the Rubicon Trail. This 22-mile 4x4 motor trail draws enthusiasts and clubs from all over the States, keen to test their vehicles against the obstacles. For more pedestrian tastes, Georgetown sits right at the edge of Eldorado National Forest, which provides enticing opportunities for hikers looking to access real wilderness areas, as well as opportunistic fishermen. There's also a big white-water rafting scene just down the road in Coloma.
Keen for wolverine? Step up to the Sierras
Set in the central part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Georgetown sits on the edge of Eldorado National Forest - a vast area that reaches right over the mountains before dropping down to the ritzy resorts of Lake Tahoe on the other side. There are several sprawling wilderness areas in the forest, all rich with wildlife including black bear, deer, and even the occasional wolverine. Desolation Wilderness area is a particular favorite with backpackers in the know, on account of its high peaks, rare wildflowers, and spectacular waterfalls like Horsetail Falls.
How to get to and around Georgetown
Fly into Lake Tahoe, CA (TVL), the closest airport, located 45.2 mi (72.7 km) from the city center.