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Rolling green hills with wildflowers in the Motherlode at golden hour

Welcome to the Motherlode

God's Country

Where rolling hills meet charming towns — discover events, venues, local artisans, and the heart of California's Gold Country.

Explore Events Discover Towns

What's Happening

Upcoming Events

Cruising Jackson

Behind the Cellar Door

Experience the Art of Winemaking – Your All-Access Pass to Amador. This immersive annual event offers exclusive access to barrel samples, library vintages, and direct winemaker conversations across Amador’s family-owned wineries.

Dandelion Days 2026

Annual two-day street festival in downtown Jackson featuring food vendors, crafts, live music on two stages, a beer and wine garden, pancake breakfast, and kids' carnival.

Kool Shifters

Annual two-day street festival in downtown Jackson featuring food vendors, crafts, live music, and a beer and wine garden.

She Calls Him Wilson

Annual two-day street festival in downtown Jackson featuring food vendors, crafts, live music, and a beer and wine garden.

The Blowbacks

Annual two-day street festival in downtown Jackson featuring food vendors, crafts, live music, and a beer and wine garden.

Triple Threat

Annual two-day street festival in downtown Jackson featuring food vendors, crafts, live music, and a beer and wine garden.

Amador Sons

Annual two-day street festival in downtown Jackson featuring food vendors, crafts, live music, and a beer and wine garden.

View all events →

Cities & Counties

Explore Our Towns

From charming main streets to historic gold rush towns, each community has its own story to tell and warmth to share.

Fiddletown

Amador County

Where History and Community Thrive

Jackson

Amador County

The Heart of Amador County

Ione

Amador County

Small-Town Charm, Big History

Pine Grove

Amador County

Peaceful Foothills Living

Pioneer

Amador County

Gateway to the High Sierra

Plymouth

Amador County

Gateway to Wine Country

Sutter Creek

Amador County

The Jewel of the Mother Lode

Volcano

Amador County

A Hidden Gold Rush Hamlet

Discover & Explore

Things to Do

From historic mine tours and underground caverns to lakeside fishing and scenic railroad rides — find your next adventure.

MuseumHistoricEducation

Amador County Museum

A free county museum in a historic 1859 Greek Revival house featuring Gold Rush exhibits, working mine models, Victorian-era rooms, and Native American and Chinese American collections.

Jackson, Amador County 2 activities

CampingFishingBoating

Bear River Resort

An all-season mountain resort at 6,000 feet on Bear River Reservoir, offering camping, fishing, boating, and deluxe lodging units 42 miles east of Jackson.

Pioneer, Amador County 5 activities

CavesGeologyFamily Fun

Black Chasm Cavern

A National Natural Landmark cave featuring rare helictite crystal formations, guided walking tours through three spectacular chambers, and a stunning underground lake 80 feet below the viewing platform.

Volcano, Amador County 3 activities

NatureOutdoorSeasonal

Daffodil Hill

A beloved six-acre ranch near Volcano once famous for its 300 varieties and 400,000 daffodil blooms each spring — closed indefinitely since 2019 due to overwhelming visitor numbers.

Volcano, Amador County 2 activities

NatureOutdoorSwimming

Electra Day Use Area

A riverside day-use area on the North Fork Mokelumne River below the Electra Powerhouse, locally known as Vaught's Beach — popular for swimming, fishing, and picnicking.

Jackson, Amador County 4 activities

Central Eureka Mine

One of the three largest gold mines on the Mother Lode, with a historic headframe visible from town — the last mine to close in Amador County.

Sutter Creek, Amador County 1 activity

HistoricMuseumCultural

Chew Kee Store Museum

A remarkably preserved rammed-earth Chinese herb shop and general store from the Gold Rush era, offering a rare window into the daily life of Chinese immigrants in 19th-century California.

Fiddletown, Amador County 2 activities

State parkHistoricCultural

Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park

A 135-acre state historic park preserving the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America, with 1,185 mortar holes, 363 ancient petroglyphs, a reconstructed Miwok village, and the Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum.

Pine Grove, Amador County 6 activities

HistoricToursVenue

Kennedy Mine

One of the deepest gold mines in the world — now offering weekend tours of its towering headframe and surface buildings.

Jackson, Amador County 2 activities

NatureOutdoorCamping

Lake Amador

A 400-acre recreation lake with 13.5 miles of shoreline, known for the heaviest trout planting program in California — plus camping, boating, disc golf, and year-round fishing.

Ione, Amador County 4 activities

OutdoorFishingBoating

Lake Camanche North Shore

A 7,700-acre reservoir with 54 miles of shoreline offering fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, equestrian trails, and year-round camping on the Amador County North Shore.

Ione, Amador County 5 activities

NatureOutdoorHiking

Lake Tabeaud

A quiet foothill lake with a 2.5-mile loop trail, stocked fishing, and kayaking — a local favorite tucked away on a Gold Country backroad between Jackson and Pine Grove.

Jackson, Amador County 4 activities

HistoricShoppingArts & Culture

Historic Main Street Sutter Creek

A beautifully preserved Gold Rush-era main street lined with Victorian storefronts housing boutique shops, art galleries, wine tasting rooms, and locally owned restaurants.

Sutter Creek, Amador County 2 activities

HistoricToursVenue

Knights Foundry

The last water-powered foundry in the United States — a living piece of industrial history.

Sutter Creek, Amador County 2 activities

HistoricMiningFree

Miners Bend Park

A free outdoor mining heritage park at the south entrance to Sutter Creek, featuring mining artifacts, interpretive signs, bronze statues, and a historic Chinese rock wall.

Sutter Creek, Amador County 2 activities

HistoricMuseumEducation

Monteverde Store Museum

A preserved 1890s general store with original merchandise still on its shelves — dry goods, hardware, penny candy, and more — opened by Italian immigrant Giovanni Monteverde and now operated as a free museum by the City of Sutter Creek.

Sutter Creek, Amador County 2 activities

OutdoorFamily FunFree

Minnie Provis Park

A 2.5-acre city park on the banks of Sutter Creek with a playground, picnic areas, BBQ grills, and Cribbs Field baseball diamond — just steps from historic Main Street.

Sutter Creek, Amador County 5 activities

OutdoorFishingBoating

Pardee Reservoir

An EBMUD recreation lake near Ione offering fishing for trout, bass, kokanee salmon, and catfish, plus boating, camping at 141 oak-studded campsites, and full-hookup RV sites, open February through November.

Ione, Amador County 4 activities

HistoricToursParanormal

Preston Castle

A Romanesque Revival castle built in 1894 as the administration building for the Preston School of Industry, now a National Register historic site offering guided tours, paranormal investigations, and special events.

Ione, Amador County 6 activities

MiningFamily FunOutdoor

Roaring Camp Mining Co.

An operating gold mine and prospecting camp at the confluence of three forks of the Mokelumne River, offering hands-on gold panning, sluicing, metal detecting, cabin and tent camping, and swimming in natural river pools.

Pine Grove, Amador County 4 activities

WineOutdoorFood & Drink

Shenandoah Valley Wine Country

Amador County's premier wine region featuring over 40 boutique and family-run wineries across five sub-regions, with more than 170 years of winemaking history and some of California's first Zinfandel vineyards.

Plymouth, Amador County 3 activities

HistoricArchitectureEducation

Historic Sutter Creek Grammar School

An 1871 two-story brick schoolhouse on Cole Street — one of only two extant brick schoolhouses of its era in the Mother Lode, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sutter Creek, Amador County 1 activity

Sutter Creek Wine Tasting

Wine tasting rooms in and around Sutter Creek offering samples of Amador County's award-winning Zinfandel, Barbera, and other varietals in a relaxed Gold Country setting.

Sutter Creek, Amador County 2 activities

HistoricArchitectureCultural

Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church

The first Serbian Orthodox church in North America, built in 1894 by Serbian miners working the Kennedy and Argonaut gold mines, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and still an active parish.

Jackson, Amador County 2 activities

Taste the Foothills

Where to Eat

From handcrafted pizzas and authentic Mexican fare to craft brews and creekside dining — discover the flavors of Gold Country.

Amador Axes & Eats

Amador Axes & Eats opened on June 9, 2023, bringing Amador County its first and only axe-throwing venue alongside a full kitchen serving pizza, gourmet burgers, appetizers, and a beer and wine bar.

BG's Lounge

BG's Lounge is the on-site bar at Mel & Faye's Diner, offering a laid-back setting for drinks away from the main dining room.

Blue Door Bakery

Blue Door Bakery opened at 4 Main Street in 2017 when Sonny and Lana Zivanoviec relocated from the Los Angeles area to Jackson, drawn to Amador County through their family's long connection to Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church — the first Serbian Orthodox church in North America, built by miners working the Kennedy and Argonaut gold mines in 1894.

Boilerworks Cafe

Boilerworks Cafe got its start inside Hein & Company Bookstore on Main Street in October 2022, when owners Dave and Cynthia began pulling espresso shots alongside the bookshelves.

Cavana's Pub & Grub

Cavana's Pub & Grub is a hometown pub on Main Street in Sutter Creek, opened by Terri and Joe Cavana in 2016 inside a spacious 5,000-square-foot building.

Choc-O-Latte

Opened in November 2015 by sisters Fran Perry and Victoria Spainhower, Choc-O-Latte is a cozy neighborhood coffee shop on Sutter Creek's Main Street.

Element

Element Kitchen & Bar is a comfort kitchen nestled inside the historic Hanford House Inn in Sutter Creek, where chefs blend traditional cooking methods with creative innovations using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

El Torero Mexican Restaurant

El Torero Mexican Restaurant has been an Amador County institution since 1994, when Adolfo Gomez — who immigrated from Jalisco, Mexico in 1962 at age eighteen — opened the doors with his family at the Amador Shopping Plaza on Highway 88 in Jackson.

Elvis' Rhythm and Brews

Elvis' Rhythm and Brews occupies the historic Soracco building on Main Street and combines craft beer, bar bites, and live music in one welcoming spot.

Gold Dust Pizza

Gold Dust Pizza is a family-owned pizzeria established in 1984, offering handcrafted gourmet pizzas, wings, and colossal calzones with Old West charm.

Jackie's Hideaway

Jackie's Hideaway is a welcoming neighborhood bar right in the heart of historic downtown Jackson at 160 Main Street.

Mel & Faye's Diner

Mel & Faye's Diner has been feeding Jackson since 1956 and remains an Amador County icon — locals know the phrase "I'll meet you at Mel's!" The family-owned spot is famous for the Moo Burger, a full salad bar, fresh-baked pies, and milkshakes as thick as they've always been.

Luka's Restaurant & Bar

Luka's Restaurant & Bar is an approachable fine dining destination on Main Street in historic Jackson.

Mother Lode Market & Deli

Mother Lode Market & Deli moved from Jackson to its current Sutter Creek location on Highway 49, bringing along its reputation for hearty deli sandwiches, homemade soups, and full-service catering.

Oko Sushi

## From the On Family to a New Chapter Oko Sushi has been Jackson's home for Japanese cuisine since 2007, when Lily and Jason On opened the restaurant on Industry Boulevard as the third venture in their small Amador County restaurant family, which also included Panda House in Martell and Hunan Restaurant in Ione.

Rosa's Cocina

Rosa's Cocina brings authentic Puebla-style Mexican food to Sutter Creek, courtesy of co-owners Sean Fanopoulos and Chelsea Cavana (who also run Cavana's Pub & Grub nearby).

Rosebud's Cafe

Rosebud's is a quaint, family-run farm-to-fork cafe on Main Street in Jackson, operated by the Pulskamp family for nearly 30 years.

Saloon 1848

Saloon 1848 occupies the 1857 Levy & Co.

Sina's Backroads Cafe

Sina's Backroads Cafe is a breakfast-and-lunch spot on Main Street in Sutter Creek built on homemade goodness.

Simply Bubbles

Amador County's first champagne and sparkling wine bar, Simply Bubbles brings a fresh concept to historic Main Street in Sutter Creek.

Sutter Creek Ice Cream Emporium

The Sutter Creek Ice Cream Emporium closed its doors after decades as a Main Street landmark.

Taqueria La Esmeralda

## From a Taco Truck to Three Locations Taqueria La Esmeralda is the story of the Contreras family — led by Francisco Contreras — who started with a small taco truck in East Sonora over a decade ago and built it into a multi-location restaurant operation.

Taste Restaurant and Wine Bar

A ZAGAT-rated fine dining destination in Plymouth's Amador Wine Country, Taste features a seasonal, locally sourced menu and an award-winning wine list.

Teresa's Place

Family owned and operated since 1921, Teresa's Place is one of Amador County's most beloved Italian restaurants.

Thai Siam

Thai Siam is a family-owned Thai restaurant tucked inside the Industry Plaza shopping center on Industry Boulevard in Jackson, serving authentic Thai and Asian-inspired dishes seven days a week.

The Sutter Restaurant

The Sutter Restaurant is the dining heart of historic Hotel Sutter on Main Street, offering creative shareable bites, inspired soups and salads, and classic entrees.

Beautiful outdoor venue with string lights and wildflowers

Gather & Celebrate

Beautiful Venues

Whether it's a wedding under the oaks, a concert under the stars, or a cozy gathering — find the perfect setting.

Camp Plymouth

· Plymouth

Sobon Estate

· Plymouth

Bray Vineyards

· Plymouth

Shenandoah Vineyards

· Plymouth

Sutter Creek Community Church

· Sutter Creek

Sutter Creek Theatre

· Sutter Creek

The National Hotel

· Jackson

Amador County Fairgrounds

· Plymouth

Local Talent

Find Your Vendors

From caterers to photographers, makeup artists to live bands — connect with the best local professionals.

Food & Catering

1 vendor

Photography

0 vendors

Makeup Artists

0 vendors

Hair Stylists

0 vendors

Entertainment

1 vendor

Florists & Décor

0 vendors

You're Invited

Sunday Services

Whether you're visiting for the weekend or just passing through, every church in God's Country wants you to know — you are welcome here. Come as you are.

Calvary Chapel Viewpoint

Jackson

Sunday · 10:00 AM — Sunday Service

Church of Christ

Central Church of Christ

Jackson

Sunday · 10:00 AM — Bible Study

Sunday · 11:00 AM — Worship Service

Evangelical Free Church of America

Community Church of Pine Grove

Pine Grove

Sunday · 10:00 AM — Sunday Worship

United Methodist

Creekside United Methodist Church

Sutter Creek

Sunday · 11:00 AM — Morning Worship

Non-Denominational

Grace Fellowship of Amador

Jackson

Sunday · 9:00 AM — Sunday School

Sunday · 10:30 AM — Worship Service

Immaculate Conception Church

Sutter Creek

United Methodist

Ione Community United Methodist Church

Ione

Sunday · 9:30 AM — Morning Worship

United Methodist

Jackson United Methodist Church

Jackson

Assembly of God

King's View Assembly of God

Ione

Sunday · 9:00 AM — First Service

Sunday · 10:45 AM — Second Service

Rock Church of Amador

Jackson

Sunday · 3:00 PM — Sunday Service

Serbian Orthodox

Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church

Jackson

Church of the Nazarene

Sutter Creek Church of the Nazarene

Sutter Creek

Sunday · 9:00 AM — First Service

Sunday · 10:45 AM — Second Service

Sutter Creek Baptist Church

Sutter Creek

Sunday · 9:00 AM — Adult Bible Study

Sunday · 10:30 AM — Worship Service

Seventh-day Adventist

Sutter Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church

Sutter Creek

Trinity Episcopal Church

Sutter Creek

Sunday · 8:30 AM — Holy Communion with Music

Sunday · 10:30 AM — Holy Communion with Music

Find all churches on Explore →

Shop & Savor

Local Shops & Businesses

Support local artisans, taste fresh-baked goods, and discover hidden gems in our charming storefronts.

Spring farmers market with artisan food stalls and fresh flowers

Add Art Framing & Gallery

Art gallery and custom framing studio since 1990, featuring local artwork, art classes, and instruction — now run by a second generation of Amador County artists.

Alchemy Studio and Spa

A studio and spa offering dance classes, therapeutic Reiki healing, skincare treatments, and fitness classes.

Amador Trader

Antiques, coins, bullion, jewelry, and collectibles in a historic building on Jackson's Main Street.

Antiques Downstairs

Multi-vendor antique cooperative with 15+ vendor booths offering vintage furniture, home decor, and collectibles in the basement level of a historic Main Street building.