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2 0 1 7 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A 163 THE GOLD COUNTRY has many historic buildings, including the Emporium in Jamestown, opposite, and this red brick gem in Nevada City, above; kayaking on the American River, El Dorado County, leV. INSIDER'S TIP » The HANGTOWN FRY, a curious concoction of oysters, bacon and eggs, was allegedly born in 1849 when a prospector tossed a satchel full of gold dust onto the bar in the EL DORADO HOTEL in Placerville—then known as "Hangtown"—and demanded the most expensive meal in the house. They still serve the dish in town at the BUTTERCUP PANTRY. from rough-and-tumble boomtowns, to somnolent hamlets, to destinations for biker rallies, to, finally, genteel venues for weekend getaways sporting comfortable B&Bs, sophisticated restaurants, antique stores and nearby wineries. Among the most popular are Sutter Creek, Nevada City and Murphys. The two largest towns of the Sierra foothills—Sonora and Placerville—offer all this, plus a large selection of motels, restaurants and shops in all price categories. The Great Outdoors From May to mid October, the American River is California's top venue for white- water rafting. The river flow is controlled by releases from upstream reservoirs, so rafters are assured of good conditions. Out- fitters offer both half-day and full-day trips through Class III whitewater, ending up at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park or Folsom Lake. In the northern Sierra, the town of Downieville has become a center for mountain biking. Local bike shops offer rentals and shuttles on old mining roads and single tracks from the casual to the technical, including a 15-mile ride with a 4,000-foot descent. Houseboaters flock to vast, sprawling Gold Country reservoirs such as New Melones Lake, Don Pedro Lake and Lake McClure.