Where is Placerville, California

Placerville is a historic city in California's Gold Country, located in El Dorado County in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It is about 45 miles east of Sacramento and 65 miles west of South Lake Tahoe. The city is known for its Gold Rush history, historic Main Street, apple orchards, and easy access to the forests, lakes, and mountain communities of the Sierra Nevada.

Location Map of Placerville, El Dorado County, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Placerville in El Dorado County, in the U.S. state of California.

Placerville Map, California

Where is Placerville Located?

Placerville is a city located in El Dorado County, California, the United States. It sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California's Gold Country, about 45 miles east of Sacramento and roughly 65 miles west of South Lake Tahoe. Cameron Park is around 8 miles west, while Pollock Pines is about 10 miles east. Placerville is positioned near 38.730° North latitude and 120.798° West longitude. The 2020 Census recorded 10,747 residents. The city covers about 5.83 square miles, or 15.10 square kilometers. Placerville grew rapidly after gold was discovered in the area in 1848, becoming an important supply and transportation center for miners traveling into the Sierra Nevada. Historic Main Street still reflects this Gold Rush heritage, with preserved buildings, local shops, restaurants, and landmarks. One of the city's best-known features is the Bell Tower, which has stood near the center of Placerville since the 19th century. Apple Hill, a collection of farms, orchards, wineries, and seasonal attractions in the surrounding foothills, is another major regional draw. A unique fact about Placerville is its original Gold Rush-era name, Hangtown, which reflected the rough conditions of the mining settlement. The city was incorporated in 1854. US-50 passes directly through Placerville, providing a major east-west route between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Nearby Eldorado National Forest and the American River offer hiking, fishing, camping, and other outdoor activities.

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Placerville City Facts

Distance from Placerville, CA to Nearby Cities

• Cameron Park, CA – 8 miles (13 km)
• El Dorado, CA – 5 miles (8 km)
• Diamond Springs, CA – 5 miles (8 km)
• Pollock Pines, CA – 10 miles (16 km)
• Shingle Springs, CA – 10 miles (16 km)
• Folsom, CA – 25 miles (40 km)
• South Lake Tahoe, CA – 65 miles (105 km)
• Sacramento, CA – 45 miles (72 km)
• Roseville, CA – 40 miles (64 km)
• Auburn, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
• Grass Valley, CA – 55 miles (89 km)
• Jackson, CA – 45 miles (72 km)
• Sonora, CA – 85 miles (137 km)
• Truckee, CA – 90 miles (145 km)
• Stockton, CA – 90 miles (145 km)
• Modesto, CA – 110 miles (177 km)
• Reno, NV – 115 miles (185 km)
• San Francisco, CA – 130 miles (209 km)

Top Attractions in Placerville

• Historic Main Street – Placerville's historic downtown preserves Gold Rush-era buildings, shops, restaurants, and landmarks along the original commercial corridor.
• Placerville Bell Tower – A well-known city landmark dating from the 1890s and a central feature of the historic downtown area.
• Gold Bug Park and Mine – A city park preserving a historic gold mine where visitors can learn about underground mining and the Gold Rush era.
• Apple Hill – A nearby collection of farms, orchards, wineries, bakeries, and seasonal attractions that is especially popular during the fall harvest.
• El Dorado County Historical Museum – A local museum featuring artifacts, photographs, mining equipment, and exhibits about the county's history.
• Hangtown's Gold Bug Park – A historic mining area with trails, exhibits, and access to the Gold Bug Mine.
• Eldorado National Forest – A large forest area east of Placerville offering hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and mountain recreation.
• Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park – A major Gold Country site at Coloma where James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848.

Airports Near Placerville, CA

• Sacramento International Airport (SMF) – 65 miles
• Mather Airport (MHR) – 40 miles
• Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) – 95 miles
• Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) – 115 miles
• Truckee Tahoe Airport (TRK) – 90 miles

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the official Placerville city website and local government records.

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