Amador County’s modern Mother Lode

An escape from reality in the heart of Gold Country

Matt Larson
Amador County’s modern Mother Lode
Along with other storefronts on the block, despite some mild alterations, the American Exchange Hotel in downtown Sutter Creek is nearly identical to how it looked in the 1850s.

Throughout your journey in Amador County, whether you find yourself on a mining or cavern tour, tasting wine varietals from any of the Shenandoah Valley wineries or exploring true nature amidst parks and vistas, you may be surprised at the solitude you’ll find all around you. However, if the seclusion proves a bit too relaxing, the thriving resort of Jackson Rancheria is right nearby.

Eat
 Mel and Faye’s Diner has been serving Amador County residents and visitors since 1956. Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 31 Highway 49/88, Jackson (209) 223-0853; melandfayesdiner.com.

Taste Restaurant is a classy restaurant with very good taste—pun intended—dishing up seasonal California cuisine. 9402 Main St., Plymouth (209) 245-3463; restauranttaste.com.

The Italian-inspired Villa Buscaglia has a full bar, incredible food and spectacular architecture to match. Outdoor seating is available as well as three suites for lodging. 1218 Jackson Gate Road, Jackson
(209) 223-9992; villabuscaglia.com.

Do
 Come to the Amador Flower Farm during the holiday season to sip hot cider and visit with Santa Claus. Or time your visit for the beginning of summer to find more than one million flowers across 14 acres in bloom. 22001 Shenandoah School Road, Plymouth (530) 644-6707; amadorflowerfarm.com.

For a true taste of Gold Country, the Sutter Gold Mine offers the only underground mine tour in the area—500 feet down to be exact. 13660 Historic Highway 49, Sutter Creek (209) 736-2708; caverntours.com.

Just eight miles east of Jackson you can find Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park. The family can enjoy walking through a re-created Miwok village, gazing at marbleized limestone outcrops and learning at the Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum. 14881 Pine Grove/Volcano Road, Pine Grove (209) 296-7488; parks.ca.gov/?page_id=553.

Just outside the northeastern tip of Amador County, Kirkwood Mountain Resort caters to outdoor adventurers for any season. 1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive, Kirkwood (209) 258-6000; kirkwood.com. 


This view of Sutter Creek Inn, the first bed and breakfast in Amador County, can be found on its brochure as painted by Thomas Kinkade.

Shop
 With Gold Rush-era architecture, downtown Sutter Creek offers anything from collectibles to clothing to fine art to live theater. This old-fashioned strip will satisfy any vacationer. Main Street, Sutter Creek. Suttercreek.org.
Be sure to stop by the Sutter Creek Ice Cream Emporium and try to catch the owner singing and playing ragtime music on his piano. 51 Main St., Sutter Creek (209) 267-0543.

Stay
 Built in 1862, St. George Hotel is a true step back in time, complete with an award-winning restaurant and neighboring saloon. 16104 Main St., Volcano (209) 296-4458; stgeorgehotel.com.

The Gatehouse Inn, which specializes in vegetarian breakfasts, offers four rooms in this 1902 Queen Anne Victorian. Ask for their 1860s cottage suite with the pull-chain toilet for an amusing time warp. 1330 Jackson Gate Road, Jackson (209) 223-3500; gatehouseinn.com.

Built before the Civil War, Sutter Creek Inn provides a relaxing environment with family-style breakfasts and a gorgeous backyard. Make sure to check out one of its four rooms with a swinging bed. 75 Main St., Sutter Creek (209) 267-5606; suttercreekinn.com.


More than 2,700 acres of grapevines can be found in Shenandoah Valley.

Taste
Renwood Winery offers the purest wines possible, hand-picked in small lots to get the ripest grapes from the vineyard. 12225 Steiner Road, Plymouth (209) 245-6979; renwood.com.

Montevina Winery provides a tremendous array of wines at reasonable prices. 20680 Shenandoah School Road, Plymouth (209) 245-6942; montevina.com.

Villa Toscano is an elegant Tuscan-style winery with class. 10600 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth (209) 245-3800; villatoscano.com.

All-in-one
 Lodging, food, entertainment, you name it! Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel’s got it all, including a key location from which to explore any corner of Amador County with ease. 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson (800) 822-9466; jacksoncasino.com.

Insider tips
 While many residents enjoy driving through the back roads of Amador County to enjoy the breathtaking scenery, they also suggest keeping a map handy as one can easily get lost, especially with no streetlights on the country roads. In such a case, be sure to keep a full tank of gas at all times, and perhaps a bagged lunch.

For more information visit amadorcountychamber.com.

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