Gold River, California is a census-designated place located in Sacramento County. The population was 7,812 at the 2010 census and 8,023 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Black Chasm Cave
The Black Chasm Cave is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Gold River, Idaho. The cave is open year-round and has guided cave walking tours available on the hour. Tours last approximately half an hour and are limited to 25 people. On weekends, additional guides are brought in.
The cavern is most famous for the crystal-like helictites hanging from the ceiling. These formations appear to develop without gravity, and they give the cave an ethereal feel. Only about five percent of caves have helictites. Guests can also take a guided tour through the cave’s Zen Garden, which features marble monoliths.
Black Chasm Cavern is located about 10 minutes away from town. This cave is thought to have inspired the cavern sets from the “Matrix” films. The cave was likely known to the local Miwok tribes centuries ago. However, it wasn’t until 1854 that miners discovered it. The cave has amazing helictite crystal formations that inspired a scene in the movie “Matrix.”
The Landmark Room is a large, open room that features a number of helictite formations and stalactites. It was once home to gold miners who were willing to sell visitors pieces of the cave in exchange for a small fee. The cave has three viewing platforms. The first one allows for close-up viewing of the cave.
Black Chasm Cavern is a National Natural Landmark. Tours last about an hour and are family-friendly. Nearby attractions include Moaning Caverns Adventure Park and Indian Grinding Rock. Volcano also has several historic buildings from the Gold Rush. The St George Hotel is a historic hotel with a restaurant on the first floor. It is rumored to be haunted.
Sutter Creek
Sutter Creek, California is one of the most charming places in the region. It is home to California’s first bed and breakfast inn, which has been operating for more than 40 years. The Inn features 17 rooms with private bathrooms and family style breakfasts. Sutter Creek has two restaurants that feature delicious fare and offer local wine and craft beer.
Sutter Creek is a charming town located about 45 minutes south of Placerville. Its Main Street is lined with quaint balconied buildings, antique shops, and even olive oil tasting. You will also find a free public library in an old phone booth building. The town also has several shops and a picturesque courtyard with restaurants.
The town has many historic sites worth seeing, and many docents are on hand to answer your questions about the town’s history. The Knight Foundry is one of Sutter Creek’s crown jewels, with a wealth of historic machinery and equipment from the Gold Rush era.
Sutter Creek is also home to the Amador County Arts Council, a small storefront next to the Monteverde Museum. There is an incredible mural painted by a local high school art teacher, Rand Huggett, and his students. The mural depicts the early mining days of the town and its development over the decades.
The town was originally founded in 1844 and named for John Sutter. The original settlers were looking for timber and later, became gold seekers. In the 1850s, Sutter Creek was home to several gold mines. The Wildman Mine was the first to open, while the Lincoln Mine and Eureka Mines were later opened.
The National Hotel is another historical site to visit in Sutter Creek. The National Hotel dates back to 1852, and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church was built in 1868. The gold-mining area is also home to the Argonaut and Kennedy mines, which together produced $34 million of gold.
The town also boasts several wineries and wine tastings. The Bella Grace Vineyards, located in Historic Sutter Creek, offers wine tastings Thursday through Monday. The winery also hosts a gift shop.
Moaning Caves
You’ll want to visit Moaning Caves for the unique limestone formations. The ceiling is lined with stalactites, while stalagmites rise from the floor. They eventually meet in the center, creating a unique sound. The cave’s name comes from this phenomenon. You can also take a guided tour of the cave by taking the Spiral Tour, which takes you down the chamber’s floor via a spiral staircase. The Spiral Tour is approximately 45 minutes long, and includes a local guide.
If you’re looking for a different kind of experience than a typical cave tour, then Moaning Caverns might be right for you. This unique place features the tallest public vertical chamber in California. The ceiling of the main chamber is nearly 151 feet high, which is large enough to accommodate the Statue of Liberty. The attraction also doubles as an adventure park, with zip lines, a climbing tower, and more.
Moaning Caverns is the largest cave chamber in the state of California. Its ceiling is 20 to 30 feet thick and high enough to hold the Statue of Liberty. The cavern is home to some of the oldest human remains in the United States.
A visit to Moaning Caves is an adventure park, where you can go on guided tours and other activities. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and takes you down 165 feet into the caverns. The attraction is popular with residents of Gold River, Sonora, and the surrounding towns.
Prehistoric Gardens
If you love dinosaurs, the Prehistoric Gardens will be a treat to visit. It features a lush rainforest and life-sized re-creations of dinosaurs. Visitors can stroll around the 3.5-acre exhibit all year round and wheelchairs are available.
You can also visit the Jerry’s Rogue River Museum & Gift Shop in the harbor area. It traces the history of the area and features a vast collection of artifacts. The museum also features photographs of travelers and freight that passed through the area. After visiting the Rogue River Museum, you can visit the Prehistoric Gardens, a natural coastal rainforest that features 23 life-size dinosaur models. This is a great place to take kids for a day out.
Whether you’re traveling with children or a family, Prehistoric Gardens is sure to satisfy your appetite. The Prehistoric Gardens are a family favorite since 1955, when the park opened. It’s a self-guided tour and takes about 40 minutes to explore. It’s dog-friendly, too, which means you can bring your pooch along and get some exercise!
For a more active experience, you can go on a jet boat tour of the river. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest offers hiking trails, sandy beaches, and even camping. It’s a great spot for families and is a great place for those who enjoy a more relaxed day in the woods.
In addition to visiting the Prehistoric Gardens, you can also visit Gold Beach, an area with a beautiful brown and black beach. It’s easy to park here, and the beach is accessible from all points of town. There is a visitor’s center in the southern part of town. You can also hike up Humbug Mountain or take a scenic drive along the coast.
Otter Point State Recreation Site is another great place to go to Gold River. It offers hiking trails and bluffs with spectacular ocean views. There are also sandstone rock formations along the coast. Another popular spot is Agate Beach, which is accessed by a short trail from the parking area. The beach has sea stacks, driftwood, and nice views of the coastline.