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From Sacramento, which handles flights from most major cities, Gold Country is less than an hour away. Or go through Fresno, an hour south of Oakhurst. The climate is more extreme than it is by the coast, but residents call this God’s country—”below the snow and above the fog and smog.”
Its rippled fairways and greens seem painted on golden hills.
Architect: Carter Morrish, 1996. Yardage: 6,826. Par: 72. Green Fees: $65–$95. Contact: 888-852-5787, saddlecreek.com.
Despite the name, water is only in play on a few holes of this hilly layout.
Architect: William Bell, 1969. Yardage: 6,382. Par: 70. Green Fee: $68. Contact: 209-962-8620, pinemountainlake.com.
Tight fairways and tiny greens are set among oaks and historic landmarks.
Architects: Don Boos, 1996; Robert Trent Jones Jr., 2000. Yardage: 6,749. Par: 72. Green Fees: $50–$90. Contact: 209-729-8011, greenhorncreek.com.
The course meanders up and over knolls from a hidden valley.
Architects: Alan Thomas, 1987; Mike Best, 2001. Yardage: 6,389. Par: 72. Green Fees: $34–$39. Contact: 800-642-7448, sierrameadows.com.
The oldest course in the Sierras, it offers a stroll through corridors of pine.
Architect: W. Favarque, 1918. Yardage: 3,050. Par: 35. Green Fee: $18.50. Contact: 801-559-4884, yosemitepark.com.
Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite The main hotel rooms of this grand lodge boast the best views, but cottages offer a rustic feel. Rooms: from $439. Contact: yosemitepark.com.
Château du Sureau, Oakhurst Ten elegant rooms, several with canopy beds. A sumptuous spa is also on site. Rooms: from $395. Contact: 559-683-6860, chateaudusureau.com.
The Groveland Hotel, Groveland Constructed from adobe in 1849, it features a dining room with an award-winning wine list and, they say, the ghosts of prospectors. Rooms: from $145. Contact: 800-273-3314, groveland.com.
Querencia, Murphys This intimate Southwest-inspired inn offers mountain and vineyard views. Rooms: from $275. Contact: 209-728-9520, querencia.ws.
Saddle Creek Resort, Copperopolis Contemporary bungalows next to the course have fireplaces and kitchens. Rooms: from $100. Contact: 800-611-7722, saddlecreek.com.
Ahwahnee Dining Room, Yosemite Osso buco, risotto and other hearty fare. 209-372-1489, yosemitepark.com. $$$$
Alchemy Market & Café, Murphys A stylish eatery with an adjoining market offering picnic fixings. 209-728-0700, alchemymarket.com. $$
Azzo’s Restaurant & Bar, Jamestown Affordable California cuisine. 209-984-1173, azzosrestaurant.com. $$
Caffè Via d’Oro, Sutter Creek Pasta and chicken from a former partner in Berkeley’s famed Chez Panisse. 209-267-0535, caffeviadoro.com. $$$
Camps, Angels Camp Steaks are the specialty at Greenhorn Creek’s clubhouse, styled like a mining cabin. 888-736-5900, greenhorncreek.com. $$$
Copper Grille at Saddle Creek Resort, Copperopolis Ambitious California cuisine and a painted border depicting the gold rush. 209-785-7400. $$$
The Diamondback Grill, Sonora A colorful modern diner and wine bar, and the hottest spot in town. 209-532-6661. $$
Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant at Château du Sureau, Oakhurst A taste of Provence in Gold Country. 559-683-6800, chateaudusureau.com. $$$$
Grounds, Murphys Steak and seafood classics. 209-728-8663. $$
Iron Door Saloon and Grill, Groveland Enjoy a buffalo burger at the bar. 209-962-6244, iron-door-saloon.com. $$
Murphys Hotel, Murphys A former hangout for J. P. Morgan and Ulysses S. Grant. 800-532-7684, murphyshotel.com. $$$
V Restaurant and Bar, Murphys Chefbob’s Cal-Med fare at the brown-shingle Victoria Inn. 209-728-0107. $$$
Calaveras County boasts two dozen wineries and counting (calaveraswines.org), and more can be found in Amador County’s Shenandoah Wine Valley (amadorwine.com). All along Highway 49, bronze plaques announce historic landmarks. The San Andreas Courthouse, where stagecoach robber Black Bart stood trial, today houses the Calaveras County Museum (calaverascohistorical.com), and the Angels Camp Museum specializes in mining exhibits (gocalaveras.travel). Columbia State Historic Park in Columbia has stagecoach rides and a blacksmith forge (columbiacalifornia.com), and Jackson is home to the historic steam locomotives at Railtown 1897. At Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, view the world’s largest gold-leaf specimen (ironstonevineyards.com) or go below ground for a look inside a mine at nearby Gold Cliff Mine (undergroundadventures.com). The site where gold was first discovered at Sutter’s Mill is a ninety-minute drive from Angels Camp north to Coloma.
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