Auburn Recreation District
This area has truly beautiful scenery, which can be enjoyed on foot, bike, or watercraft. There are countless great hiking trails to check out. We’d recommend Hidden Falls Trail for something nearby, or the Confluence Trail or American Canyon Trail both by the American River.
Speaking of which, the American River has world-class white water rafting and there are many outfitters that do guided day trips. Ask us for more specific recommendations if curious.
All of the trails we mentioned and most of the ones in the area can be explored on mountain bikes too. E-bike rentals are available at Bicycle Emporium and the SpringHill Suites Hotel.
Old Town Auburn
Have you ever wanted to find the perfect outdoor rooster figurine for your garden? Costume jewelry? Or vintage cowboy boots? Old Town Auburn is the place for you. Antique, vintage, and rustic decor stores line the streets.
Farmers & Farmer’s Markets
On Saturday, stroll through the Old Town Auburn Farmer’s Market from 8 am till noon. Alternatively, there are dozens of farm stands in the area, and we recommend stopping by all of them. Some of the standouts are:
- Ikeda’s - not technically a farm stand, more like an iconic Auburn establishment, but they have such good fresh, local produce. Really they are famous for their salsas and pies. They have an adjoining diner-style spot that has been a staple of many ski and lake trips for us.
- The Orchard - another farm stand with pies that rival Ikeda's.
Dine & Drink
Some easy places for breakfast and lunch include Flour Garden Bakery (good for bagels, soups, and pastries), Nectar Cafe (all vegetarian/vegan), and Baked and Brewed Cafe. Our favorite restaurants for dinner are Auburn Thai Garden and Pizzeria Luba. Josephine is a fine dining restaurant (really Auburn’s one and only) with fancy, shmancy craft cocktails - usually you need reservations to get in but sometimes they have seats at the bar.
If you pull up to the country and start missing trendy SF vibes, check out the Pour Choice for coffee, snacks, and beer on tap.
This might not be Napa, but the property is located on the Placer Wine Trail. The closest winery and one of our favorites is Viña Castellano Winery, and there are many more to discover here. If beer is more your thing, there are several breweries around town too (try Crooked Lane, Knee Deep, or Moonraker).