415-549-8049 REQUEST A QUOTE

Sierra Foothills and Gold Country

6 DAYS Starting from $3,290 per person

Dig into California’s fascinating 1849 Gold Rush history on this 5 day, self-drive Sierra Foothills and Gold Country Expedition to Lake Tahoe. Traversing the iconic Highway 49, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the 49ers as local experts show you around the gold mining museums, jailhouses and saloons of Sonora, Nevada City and tiny Downieville. Hopping from one character-filled hotel to the next, and sampling the many excellent local eateries, your exploration will also include on-site wine and beer tastings at some of the hidden gems of the Sierra Foothills, including Sutter Creek Winery. Top it off with a high-country overnight adventure to majestic Lake Tahoe.

REQUEST QUOTE

Trip at a Glance

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore delightful Sonora, an important Gold Rush way station boasting period architecture, historic salooons and charming Victorian B&Bs.
  • Enjoy a full-day exploration of Highway 49 en route to Nevada City, taking in a personalised wine tasting in up-and-coming Placerville on the way.
  • Spend a full day discovering quirky Nevada City’s gold rush past and bohemian present (great beer!) in the fascinating company of our local docent.
  • Take a detour to tiny Downieville (population 250) where a local guide will give you the inside scoop on the town’s Gold Rush past.
  • Using the Yuba River as your guide, venture high into the mountains of rural California as you make your way towards spectacular Lake Tahoe.

Related Tours

Baja California Nature Tour

On this 7-day Baja California Nature Tour, you’ll first be treated to spectacular nature and wildlife opportunities in Mexico’s central Baja...

VIEW ITINERARY

Baja California Nature Tour

7 days starting from $4,290 per person

North Coast Redwoods and Wine Country

Experience the incredible exotic variety of the Northern stretch of California’s famous Pacific Coast Highway on this 7 day North Coast Redwoods...

VIEW ITINERARY

North Coast Redwoods and Wine Country

7 days starting from $4,290 per person

Yosemite & Trekking the John Muir Trail

Dust off your hiking boots for this 8 Day Yosemite and Trekking the John Muir Trail Expedition. After spending a night in San Francisco, you’ll...

VIEW ITINERARY

Yosemite & Trekking the John Muir Trail

8 days starting from $4,990 per person

“We worked with Hayley to plan a 5 night trip guided hike in Nepal near Pokhara or the Anapurna region as part of our honeymoon. She was absolutely fantastic and we couldn't recommend SA and the local guides enough. We had great and comfortable...”
— Jay

8 days ago

“Isabel and the team were great to work with and the experience was 5-stars. Highly recommend SA to plan your Inca Trail trek.”
— Olivia Rabinowitch

22 Jun, 2025

“We have just returned from an amazing trip to the Galápagos and Machu Picchu booked by our wonderful coordinator, Matt. You’d think a trip of this magnitude (big trip for us from Canada) could expect to have a few hiccups along the way, but...”
— Terri Lord

15 Jun, 2025

“We just returned from a wonderful trip to the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon, & Machu Picchu planned by Adam at SA Expeditions. All of the guides, drivers, and accommodations exceeded our expectations, and at each location we went, our SA guide was...”
— Don Morrison

12 Jun, 2025

“SA Expeditions prepared an amazing Peru trip for my wife and me. We experienced Cuzco, trekked the Salkantay, saw Machu Picchu. Our guide, Mario, was next level incredible. SA was amazing to work with; they took our trip goals, and presented us...”
— Samuel Elkins

12 Jun, 2025

“We had another great custom trip by SA Expeditions (SAE). We had gone to Peru with SAE last year and had such a great experience there that we decided to ask them to create a trip to Spain for us. Adam organized a custom trip where we could go and...”
— Peggy Takahashi

07 Jun, 2025

“Amazing vacation to Peru. Our contact person was Mikey Blount. Entire vacation, hotels, guides, transportation was seamless and beyond expectations. Would highly recommend SA vacations”
— Amit Jhaveri

02 Jun, 2025

“I just returned from a wonderful vacation to the Galapagos, Cuzco/Machu Picchu and the Amazon. I haven't used travel agencies in the past but SA expeditions surpassed expectations. Our travel planer, Hayley, organized the itinerary, the guides...”
— Bebe S

26 May, 2025

“Phenomenal trip to Peru! Best travel experience ever. Our travel agent, Caleb Dorfman, organized the most spectacular vacation the three of us have ever had - and we are well-traveled.”
— Stephanie Foster

25 May, 2025

“Matt Greenberg and SA Expeditions planned an extraordinary trip for us to Santiago and Easter Island in 2023. This year, May 2025, we reached out to Matt again for another adventure--this time to Peru (Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu!). Once again...”
— Jackob Hofmann

20 May, 2025

VIEW ALL REVIEWS
TRIP PLANNING MADE EASY. TALK TO A DESTINATION EXPERT TODAY. INQUIRE NOW