In Auburn’s backyard foothills become mountains. Early into the Gold Rush, it was the end of the road for pack trains. Beyond were the awesome canyons of the North and Middle Forks of the American River. The Confluence of the two great rivers lies only three miles east of Auburn on Highway 49.
Auburn was never relegated to a boom- and- bust footnote in history. It is still booming.
...pack your hiking boots, running shoes, horse shoes, kayak, rubber raft, rubber ducky, mountain bike, trail motorcycle, and fishing rod.
For east-west travelers crossing the crest of the Sierra Nevada, I-80 slices through the heart of the bustling community; for north and south travelers along the western foothills, Auburn sits on historic Highway 49.
Auburn was founded only four months after John Marshal discovered gold in Coloma in the winter of 1848. Unlike historic Coloma, Auburn was never relegated to a boom-and-bust footnote in history. It is still booming. With nearly 13,000 residents and a large metropolitan area, today it is the largest little city in the Sierra Nevada with both feet firmly planted in the mountain range.
Today, both forks of the American River lure visitors deeper and deeper into the mountains. Auburn is the perfect base for further adventures. The Auburn State Recreation Area is the town's backyard and several trails drop down into the river canyon from trailheads on city streets.
Auburn has much to offer. Except snow. The closest thing to winter sports are raspberry snow cones. So leave your skis on the rack unless you're heading further up I-80 to the Sierra Crest. Instead, Some consider packing their bathing suits as optional.
There are few modern amenities that recreationists can’t find in the spirited town. From historic Old Town to downtown, B&Bs to modern chain motels, white tablecloth dining to family fare, fast food to granola bars, hitching rails to Amtrak -- Auburn has it all.
Auburn’s Old Town is a must visit for dining, drinking, shopping, antiquing, and picture taking. The oldest Post Office in the U.S. continues operating there and seven of the oldest buildings in California are still doing business. Auburn currently has three museums with two more scheduled. The stately Placer County Courthouse is a youngster built in 1898 but its statuesque look is totally eye-catching in a town full of several historic buildings. Nearly half-dozen movies have used Auburn as part of the film’s setting.
The town knows how to host its visitors. Nearly 50 restaurants, several B&Bs, charming historic hotels, modern motels, art galleries, and wine tasting can match nearly everyone’s tastes.
| Population: | 12,500 | Links: | Chamber of Commerce: www.auburnchamber.net Community: www.auburn.ca.gov Visitor Center: www.visitplacer.com |
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Auburn is on the crossroads from major highways coming from all four cardinal directions. From Sacramento it is 24 miles east on I-80 and 98 miles west on the interstate from Reno, Nevada; from Nevada City it is 24 miles south on Highway 49 and from Placerville it is 26 miles north on Highway 49.