Wineries, Historic Sites, Shopping, Parks and other Attractions
Hours and dog policies frequently change with these small businesses so please check before visiting and let us know if any changes so we can update these listings.
Wineries:
The Sierra foothills are sometimes called “the new Napa valley” with 40+ wonderful yet less crowded wineries within Amador County and more in the neighboring counties of Calaveras and El Dorado.
Live music and wine tasting on dog-friendly patios including our favorites at La Mesa, Iron Hub, and Rancho Victoria vineyards (~20 miles in Plymouth). See consolidated Amador Vintners event calendar.- Well-behaved leashed dogs allowed on the grounds of many of the wineries and also in some of the Sutter Creek tasting rooms. Favorites for dog-friendly wineries include Cooper Vineyard and SLO 2 20 Vineyard. Avio is closest winery on Ridge Road near Sutter Creek.
- Sutter Creek has several tasting rooms (most are dog-friendly) from nearby vineyards so the quickest/easiest way to enjoy local wines without a lot of driving.
- Destination Driver and Amador Wine Driver provide a designated driver to the wineries using your car (so your dogs are comfortable in known vehicle) to the wineries. Dogs welcomed and more affordable rates than typical limo tours since driving your vehicle.
Antiques and Shops
Throughout the gold country. Many will allow you to bring your dog inside if he/she is well-behaved.
- Sutter Creek (12 miles) is called the “Jewel of the Mother Lode” and lives up to its reputation with many great shops and restaurants in the quaint downtown. There is even an outdoor mining display as you enter Sutter Creek where you can walk through with your dog.
- Jackson's (9 miles) historic main street has nice shops as well including the popular Biggest Little Kitchen Store. Another unique place is Sherlock Holmes-themed Baker Street West including Hein & Company books - highly rated by guests!
Parks
While you're out exploring Amador County, these parks can provide a nice break for your dogs
- Jackson has an off-leash dog park in Kennedy Tailing Wheels Park (8am-8pm, 7 days/wk). Walk through the historical sites while at the park. Where else can dogs check pee-mail on old mining equipment?!
- Minnie Provis in downtown Sutter Creek (12 miles). Just off Main St along the creek, you can usually let your dog off leash to splash in the water though be respectful of the leash law once he/she has cooled off.
Spa and Massage
- Skintique (11 miles) full service day spa voted "best in Amador County" in Jackson
- Refresh (12 miles) a boutique day spa focused on health & wellness in Sutter Creek
Gold Panning / History
- Kennedy Gold Mine tours (11 miles) Group and self-guided tours. Weekends March through October, Hwy 88/49 between Sutter Creek and Jackson.
- Amador County Museum (9 miles) Exhibits in a historic house plus ground with old carriages and mining equipment. A nice stop before walking through the cemeteries. 225 Church St, Jackson, 11am-3pm Fri-Sun, 223-6386
- Historic Town Walking Tours (9 miles) See gold rush mines, pioneer cemeteries with interesting headstones, historic buildings and more.
- Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park (6 miles) 136 acre historic park and museum near Pine Grove highlighting local Native American artifacts. Leashed dogs are allowed at the historic site, but not on any trails.
- Roaring Camp Mining Company (3 miles) Pan for gold, swim in the river, visit artifacts museum. 6-hr guided tours into Mokelumne Canyon and 5-hr Sat BBQ with music. No dogs. Pine Grove, 209-296-4100.
- Gabby's Gold Rush Tours Fun, authentic, escorted tours by a local retired teacher
- Marshall Gold Discovery Park (40 miles) Site of 1848 gold discovery! Operational sawmill replica, 49er museum. Hwy 49 north to Coloma in El Dorado County.
- Columbia State Historic Park (50 miles) Panning, mines, shops, museums, food, and horse stagecoach ride (great!). Hwy 49 south near Sonora. 209-532-4301
Farms and Gardens
- Amador Flower Farm (25 miles) 12 acres of gardens, with gift shopping and picnic area. Daily 9am - 4 pm near many Plymouth wineries.
- Bluebird Haven Iris Garden (37 miles) Over 2000 varieties, sales or mail order, April 15 - May 21 daily 10am-6pm, 6940 Fairplay Rd, Somerset, 916-620-5017
- Apple Hill (48 miles) best known for it's fall apple orchard bake shops and goods, but open year round including pumpkin and Christmas trees too.
- Daffodil Hill now CLOSED :( This beautiful private farm had its last open season in 2019 due to infrastructure not able to support the crowds.
Other Events and Listings
- Preston Castle (21 miles) Paranormal and other castle tours, haunted Halloween, and more
- Amador County Fair (21 miles) one of California’s last true country fairs with livestock, rodeo featuring muttin' bustin', and other local flavor at the end of July, plus other events at the fairgrounds
- Jumping Frog Jubilee (38 miles) and Calaveras County Fair in Angel's Camp. You may even see Mark Twain at this annual May event that the locals take very seriously!
- Visit Amador County info and events calendar
- Sutter Creek Visitors Center and events calendar
Indicates dog-friendly activity!
