 Placerville, population 9,610, is centrally located in the Sierra Nevada foothills 45 miles from Sacramento, the State Capital, and 60 miles from South Lake Tahoe, world-famous recreation center. Situated above the fog line and below the snow line, Placerville boasts an ideal climate with four distinct seasons. Accessibility to Placerville is via State Highway 49 and U.S. Highway 50, along one of the most traveled corridors in California. Placerville' treasured heritage is reflected in the historical, nineteenth century architecture of it's downtown core.
Placerville' was incorporated in 1854. At its incorporation Placerville was the third largest town in California. In 1857 the county seat was then moved from Coloma to Placerville, where it remains today. The town of Placerville was named after the placer deposits found in the river bed between Spanish Ravine and the town plaza. During the gold rush, Placerville became an important supply center for the surrounding mining camps.
Placerville is the County seat of El Dorado County and the center of financial, commercial, civic, and Government activity. Although the gold rush is long over, there is a wealth of adventure to be found in Placerville, which serves as a "hub" for many nearby destinations and activities. Premier wineries, Apple Hill Ranches, Historic Coloma, the American River, and the El Dorado National Forest are all located within minutes of downtown Placerville. |