No other region in the Gold Country offers more to see and do than these towns in the south, 86 miles southeast of Sacramento. From exploring caverns to riding in the stagecoach and panning for gold, the neighboring towns of Angels Camp, Murphys, Columbia, Sonora, and Jamestown offer a cornucopia of Gold Rush-related sites, museums, and activities. It’s a great place to bring the family (kids love roaming around the dusty car-free streets of Columbia), and the region offers some of the best lodgings and restaurants in the Gold Country. In short, if you’re the Type A sort who needs to stay active, the southern Gold Country is for you.

While you're touring the Southern Gold Country be sure to check out Ironstone Vineyards, a veritable wine theme park built by the Kautz family. It’s located at 1894 Six Mile Rd., about a mile south of downtown Murphys , and is open daily from 10am to 6pm (209/728-1251; www.ironstonevineyards.com).