Forming part of the Sacramento metropolitan area, Auburn is a historic city and the seat of Placer County. In 1848, a group of French gold miners camped in the area en route to Coloma and discovered gold deposits in the soil. A year later, the growing camp was officially named Auburn after a New York settlement.
Things to do in Auburn
Housed within the historic Auburn Depot is the Gold Rush Museum, which details the 19th-century miners who flocked to the Sierra Foothills in the 19th century. In addition to gold-mining artefacts and hands-on exhibits, it features a recreated mining tunnel and an indoor stream where you can test your luck at panning for gold.
Dotted throughout Auburn are large concrete sculptures that were created by a local dentist, Kenneth H. Fox. Dating from the 1960s, they chronicle the history of the city, with one depicting a Chinese labourer working on the Transcontinental Railroad. Also on display is a sculpture inspired by the gold prospector Claude Chana, who is credited with discovering gold in the area.
A short drive north-west of Auburn is Hidden Falls Regional Park, which is traversed by around 50 kilometres of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails. Within its beautiful oak woodlands are several picturesque waterfalls, as well as tranquil creeks where you can refresh with a swim in the summer months. Interpretive signs illustrating the local flora and fauna are mounted along the trails.
Getting around Auburn
Auburn is around 40 minutes’ drive from the centre of Sacramento and one hour from Sacramento International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Amtrak trains connect to the Auburn railway station and buses travel through the city. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around Auburn.