Top Reasons to Go to Sacramento and the Gold Country

Gold rush: Marshall Gold Discovery State Park is where it all started—it's a must-see—but there are historic and modern gems all along California Highway 49 from Nevada City to Jamestown.

State capital: Easygoing Sacramento offers sights like the Capitol and historic Old Sacramento.

Bon appétit: Sacramento has emerged as a foodie destination, but its celebrations of food, drink, and culture date back to the gold-rush parade of immigrants.

Wine tasting: With bucolic scenery and friendly tasting rooms, El Dorado County and the Shenandoah Valley are winning acclaim for their diverse offerings.

Rivers, sequoias, and caverns: Natural beauty here is rich (stream beds are still lined with gold), high (sequoias in Calaveras Big Trees State Park), and deep (the main chamber at Moaning Caverns could hold the Statue of Liberty).