Placer County, a 1,400-square-mile destination in Northern California, is inviting travelers everywhere to live “life at its peak” during California’s beautiful fall season.
Nothing truly compares to the magic of a fall spent in Placer County. In addition to a less crowded and more peaceful atmosphere in the area, you also get a chance to see the gorgeous changing leaves of Placer’s trees, turning the lush green forest into a sea of red, orange and yellow. Explore scenic views, colorful wildflowers, beautiful oak trees and more on any of the area’s breathtaking hiking trails. Toast to the season throughout the Placer Wine & Ale Trail, filled with 23 boutique wineries, 15 craft breweries, 1 craft distillery and dozens of tap rooms, wine bars, eateries and more.
Uniquely situated along Interstate 80, Placer County attractions are only 20 minutes away from the major freeway at any point, making it an ideal destination for travelers from the Bay Area, Sacramento, Reno, Lake Tahoe and other nearby regions. Visitors can head outside to experience Placer County’s stunning outdoors through biking, hiking and horseback riding trails, while crisscrossing spectacular landscapes.
In addition to the natural outdoor adventure offered in Placer County, the area is home to exciting events to interest both locals and visitors alike this fall. With unique opportunities for fairs, festivals, sporting events and artistic opportunities, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy this season.
Placer County is excited to share what’s happening this season in the area.
Fall Time Fun
Placer County is giving plenty of opportunities for nostalgia this fall. The Gold County Fair takes place in Auburn, California from September 9 through September 12, and is complete with classic carnival rides, joyful entertainment, sweet livestock displays, delicious food vendors, and a community parade. Interested in a spooky affair? Check out the Gold Country Ghost Tours, where visitors can dive into Auburn’s rich history with ghostly haunts throughout the gold town. Families can choose the perfect pumpkin at one of Placer County’s various pumpkin patches, a great way to capture that festive fall mood. These farms make for a perfect family-outing, with many offering corn mazes and other fun activities for everyone.
Arts & Activities
The Tour de Lincoln is back on October 30, with opportunities for cycling either a Metric Century (62.7 mi), Half Metric Century (32 mi) or Quarter Metric Century (15 mi) rides through the scenic backroads of Lincoln. Placer County is also thrilled to share that live music is back at both the Auburn State Theatre and Thunder Valley Casino, along with the Auburn Symphony’s return to the community. The Arts Council of Placer County is also preparing for the 28th Annual Placer Artists Studios Tour, happening November 12, 13 and 14. The self-driving tour highlights over 100 visual artists from Colfax to Roseville, with a preview show titled, “Taste of the Tour” kicking off the weekend at Blue Line Arts gallery beginning October 29.
Festive Foods
Placer County’s food scene is unlike any other, and this season, you can celebrate flavors of fall through plenty of culinary festivals. Throughout the three day weekend, attendees can expect wine ratings, culinary seminars, unique vendors and scenic mountain top dining. For a festive fête, the Machado Orchards Annual Apple Festival is happening October 16, and will be offering fun for the whole family with live music, unique vendors, and more. Loomis, California is bringing a whole new meaning to “feeding your soul.” The weekend-long Taste of a Small Town 2021 starts Saturday, September 25 is focused on highlighting the area’s underrated farm-to-fork scene, featuring local wines, craft beers, and delicious handcrafted eats. Hosted by the Loomis Basin Education Foundation, this event is an opportunity to give back by providing grants to the Loomis Union School District. Additionally, Tahoe City’s Oktoberfest returns on Saturday, September 25, complete with craft beers from the region’s best microbreweries, traditional Bavarian-themed games, a craft vendor village, and of course live music and delicious food.
Placer County encompasses a wide variety of unique cities, towns and census-designated places in northern California, including:
- Lincoln
- Auburn
- Loomis
- Rocklin
- Granite Bay
- Roseville
- Foresthill
- Colfax
- Dutch Flat
- Tahoma
- Tahoe City
- Carnelian Bay
- Tahoe Vista
- Kings Beach
An interactive map on the website has been provided to support travelers in planning their upcoming trip. Please remember to travel responsibly at all times and respect our local environment, including making sure to leave no trace by packing out what you brought in. To learn more on how to venture through Placer County safely, visit visitplacer.com/travel-responsibly.
