Christmas Tree Farms
El Dorado County Visitors Authority
http://www.visit-eldorado.com
eNews, December, 2002, Vol. 1, Issue 10

December News

Season’s Greetings from the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce and from Tourism Director Sue Russell. We in El Dorado County wish wish all of you a happy, happy holiday season.

An Introduction to El Dorado County. FREE EL DORADO COUNTY VISITOR'S GUIDE!
To obtain this guide or to purchase the CD “Introduction to El Dorado County”, click here.

To purchase maps, memorabilia, a relocation package and other items, visit the Chamber of Commerce bookstore at: www.eldoradocounty.org/store.html.

Christmas Tree Growers Open
Get that roof rack on your car and hurry over to El Dorado County for a wonderful-smelling Christmas tree. Cut it yourself or have someone cut it for you. Most farms open till December 24, or until sold out. Area map and growers list. For information, call: (530) 621-5885 weekdays, individual growers evenings & weekends.

Crafts and Music on Apple Hill
Weekends to December 15. Enjoy crafts and live music at Honey Bear Ranch, 2826 Barkley Road, Camino. The ranch offers two luncheon specials daily and lots of apple treats—apple donuts, apple cheesecake, apple strudel, to name a few. Call 644-3934 for information. For Apple Hill information, click www.applehill.com

SkiEnjoy the Snow!
Elevations in El Dorado County range from 1,900 feet in Placerville to 10,000 feet in the Sierras. Most snow falls at elevations over 4,000 feet. The Sierras were already snow-covered in mid-November. If traveling to the higher elevations, check road conditions before you set out.

Within California and Western Nevada, call the new Caltrans Highway Information Network’s voice activated number, 1-800-427-7623. From all areas, call (916) 445-7623 and speak the number of the route you want information on.

Revel in the White Stuff
Get out those skis and boards! Both of El Dorado County’s two major ski areas are OPEN.

Sierra-at-Tahoe (www.sierratahoe.com) is at 1111 Sierra at Tahoe Rd. Twin Bridges, CA 95735, tel: 530-659-7453. The resort is a short drive or shuttle bus ride from South Lake Tahoe.

Heavenly Ski Resort (www.skiheavenly.com), is close to the lake. For full information about the South Lake Tahoe area (still in El Dorado County), click on www.tahoeinfo.com .

New Shuttle Service from Sacramento to Sierra at Tahoe—December 28 through March 30, a 47 passenger bus will run from Rancho Cordova to Sierra at Tahoe (both ways), stopping at the Sacramento Sports Complex, the Mountain and Surf Pro Shop. McDonald’s, 297 Iron Point Road, Folsom, and the McDonald’s in Placerville. Arrive Sierra 9:30 am, Depart Sierra 4:30 pm. $17 round trip. Package prices for 10 round trips also available (Senior and young adult only $49, adult $59, Child $29. Under 13, must have chaperone 18 or older). Reservations recommended, must make before 5 pm day before trip. Call (530) 541-7548 for reservations.

Gift Suggestions
 Denver Dan’s, 4354 Bumblebee Lane, Camino, have relishes and jellies and numerous other gifts. Try their delicious apricot jalapeno jelly. Open to December 15. Call (530) 644-2893 or click www.applehill.com.

The Lotus Bonsai Nursery and Gardens, 1435, Lower Lake Drive, Placerville, 30 miles from Sacramento, is a great place to visit. For map and directions and to see the bonsai trees and visit their online store, www.lotusbonsai.com. Or call (530) 622-9681.

At Coulson Eldorado Winery’s website, you can buy wines online. For wine list and prices, click on website . The tasting room is open daily from 11am to 5pm. The winery is at 3550, Carson Road, Camino, (530) 644-2854.

Give your loved ones a night or two at an El Dorado County inn. The Historic Country Inns offer gift certificates. Try www.goldcountrylodging.com, then click on “Gift Certificates” at the bottom of the page.

Fitzpatrick Winery and Lodge, 7740 Fair Play Road, Fairplay, (800) 245-9166. Order Celtic Music, wine, etc. online at website. Or shop at the winery (open daily except Tuesdays, 11am-5pm, or when you visit the Lodge on the Historic County Inn Holiday Tour Dec 7 & 8. For other El Dorado County wineries click here.

Enjoy leisurely shopping for art, antiques, souvenirs etc. in Placerville, Diamond Springs, El Dorado Hills and South Lake Tahoe. For a list of county businesses, including art galleries and gift shops, click here.

In 2003, the US celebrates 100 years of flight. Watch for details in upcoming eNewsletters.

December
December Events

January
January Events

December Highlights
Below are the main December events. Click on the December calendar for a complete list.

Kids Will Love:

-December 1. The 25th Annual Christmas Parade—“On the Wings of Angels”. The parade starts at 1pm on Placerville’s Historic Main. Come early to get a parking spot. This is the 25th year that Goodyear McIntire Tires and Tubes have sponsored the parade. Watch for Santa and Mrs. Claus and their reindeer. Call (530) 622-9400 for information.

-December 8. Tea in Toyland at the Historic Cary House Hotel at 300 Main Street, Placerville. Three seatings, 11am, 1pm and 2:30pm, all with tea and cookies and Cinnamon Bear. Call (530) 622-4271 for tickets.

-December 8. Christmas in Coloma. An old-fashioned 1850s Christmas with all kinds of activities, crafts, and foods. Don’t miss the carriage rides and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. For times and activities for all events, call (530) 295-2170 or (530) 622-3470.

-December 14. Get your Christmas cards carried and stamped by the Pony Express. Click on Dec. calendar for details.

Good Holiday Cheer - December 7 and 8. - Historic Country Inn Holiday Tour. Visit 11 country inns in and around Placerville, all for one weekend price of $15. To buy in advance, call toll-free 1-877-262-4667. For inn details, go to www.goldcountrylodging.com

Creekside Dining Deals at Café Luna - Wednesday nights are “Wino Wednesday” (each bottle of wine under $30 is half-price).

Look for the “Thursday Night Roast” on Thursday evenings, with a different roasted meat each week and a three-course dinner for $15.

Café Luna is OPEN on Sundays from 4pm-8pm for Sunday suppers. The restaurant is at 451 Main Street, Placerville, (530) 642-8669.

Gourmet Cooking Classes at Tony Matthews, 447, Main Street, Placerville. Call (530) 626-9161 for the December class calendar and for how to register.

January 2003

The 18th Annual Crab Feed is January 11 is at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. The Pioneer Firefighters’ Association Crab Banquets are Jan. 11 and 18 at Perry Creek Vineyards, Jan. 25 at Oakstone Vineyards.

Click January calendar for all fun events. Don’t miss Placerville’s Third Saturday Night Art on Jan. 18 or Gold Discovery Day, Jan. 24, at Coloma’s Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

 
How are we doing?
Send us your comments. Help us to serve you better.
Email: tourism@eldoradocounty.org
Email your comments and suggestions to Sue: tourism@eldoradocounty.org
Sue Russell, Tourism Director, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce!
Writer: Claire | Editor: Sue | Webmaster: Sharon