Gold rush era engraving of Sutter’s Mill with Coloma in the background

What has been a fairly well kept secret, that the California Gold Country is a great place to vacation, is finally getting out.  The folks over at Lonely Planet, publishers of travel guides, have named the California Gold Country one of the top US10 travel destinations for 2012.  Sandwiched between Boulder, Colorado at #7 and Culebra, Puerto Rico at #5, California Gold Country ranks #6 on the list of US travel destinations that includes Yellowstone and the US Virgin Islands.

Lonely Planet highlighted the region’s gold rush era towns, the wonderful wineries, camping and skiing.  I’m very happy that one of my favorite get away spots is finally getting the recognition it deserves!