Motherlode Wine Experience/Gold Discovery Tour/Capitol Mall Genealogy Research/ Old Sacramento Walking Tour

CGS, your local host society has organized four tour options for Tuesday, May 24th

Motherlode Wine Experience:

This could be your view if you sign-up for this once in a lifetime tour, which will journey east of Sacramento to the historic Shenandoah Valley in the Sierra foothills to visit Shake Ridge Ranch, home of Yorba Wines.  Stroll through the vineyards and then enjoy lunch prepared by the James Beard-recognized Taste Restaurant, while overlooking the 46 acres of vineyard hills and wine varietals.

Following lunch, step back in time with a visit to the historic town of Sutter Creek, established during the California Gold Rush, and experience the wonderful offerings that this beautifully preserved town has to offer.  This exceptional experience is limited to 50 participants!  Reservations are going fast!  9:30AM -4PM $80 (lunch included)

Gold Country Tour:

In 1848, John Marshall, a New Jersey native who had moved to California for health reasons, discovered gold in the Sierra foothills while building a saw mill in Coloma for John Sutter.  That discovery triggered the California Gold Rush. A replica of the original sawmill is in the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, along with more than twenty historic buildings.  Following a docent-led tour and lunch, participants will visit Sutter’s Fort to learn about the checkered career of John Sutter and the history of the fort, which is now part of the California State Parks system and the site of re-enactments of life at the fort in historic times.  Bus leaves from the Hyatt Regency on L Street.  Local genealogist, Grant Din, is your trip leader and will provide expert commentary during the bus ride.  9:30AM – 4PM $85 (includes lunch)

Old Sacramento Walking Tour:

A visit to Old Sacramento will send you back in time to the hardscrabble days of living and working on the western frontier.  Meet outside the Hyatt Regency to walk to the Sacramento History Museum (3/4 mile walk) or join the group at the Sacramento History Museum for the Old Sacramento Underground Tour.  After lunch at the restored paddlewheel Delta King, continue exploring Old Sacramento on your own or head back to your hotel. The area includes the fabulous California Railroad Museum (worth an entire day all by itself), the California Automobile Museum, the Sacramento History Museum and numerous historic buildings.  Separate museum admissions need to be purchased and are not included.  9:30 AM-1:30 PM,   $47 (includes lunch and Old Sacramento Underground tour).

Capitol Mall Genealogy Research Tour:

See an overview of the major genealogical research collections and architectural gems in the Capitol Mall area.  Stroll across the Capitol grounds for docent-led tours by genealogists at several locations.  The California State Library includes publications of the three branches and various agencies of state government–including an extensive California History collection.  The State Library incorporates the 1929 Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building–an architectural gem and California Historic Landmark, also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The nearby State Archives building has voluminous public records and historical materials as well as a highly-regarded Preservation and Imaging Lab.  Meet outside Hyatt Regency for this walking tour.  9AM-Noon. $20.