The farther north you go into the Amador and Eldorado County Region generally referred to as Shenandoah Valley and Fairplay wine growing region, the closer you are to Placerville and the Highway 50 Corridor. More people living nearby and even more visitors.
Within the “suburbs” there are not only nearly a dozen wineries, many with tasting rooms, but also two B&Bs, a coffee shop, and ice- cream parlor.
The rolling foothills, spring wildflowers, or summer’s golden, grassy meadows and deep green oaks viewed from the many miles of paved, winding county roads offer a lovely setting.
Somerset is a crossroads community that has a wine tasting room and a nearby upscale restaurant billed as a grill. For visitors passing by the crossroads, there’s not much else to mark “downtown.” Still that’s two good reasons to stop.
Somerset includes the old Fairplay community, so it is more of a neighborhood than a core city. Within the “suburbs” there are not only nearly a dozen wineries, many with tasting rooms, but also two B&Bs, a coffee shop, and ice-cream parlor.
Over 25 wineries are only minutes away. This beautiful region in the Amador County foothills is often referred to as the “Tuscany of California.” Every – ok, almost all – of the little communities tucked along the road have a country store or deli. Mochas, lattes, and fresh baked goodies are favorites for visitors and locals alike.
Ride your road bike, take a picnic lunch, and the day definitely qualifies as an aerobic outdoor activity. The rolling foothills, spring wildflowers, or summer’s golden, grassy meadows and deep green oaks viewed from the many miles of paved, winding county roads offer a lovely setting. If you are pedaling, some of the hills will make you work for your wine; so pace your riding as well as sipping.
Favorite destinations are Volcano, Daffodill Hill, Fairplay, Mt Aukum, and Plymouth. And if you’re up to it – and up, and up – an uphill pedal to Cooks Station on Highway 89 via Omo Ranch will get your adrenaline going. So will the mostly-coasting ride back down. Then again, just relaxing in a day of quiet revelry celebrating yesterday’s adventure of mountain biking, motorcycling, hiking, or whitewater sport and you have the perfect weekend.
| Population: | 2,951 | Links: | Chamber of Commerce: www.eldoradocounty.org Visitor Center: www.visit-eldorado.com |
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Several county roads lead to Somerset. First time visitors are most likely to come from Highway 49 and Diamond Springs. Head east on the Pleasant Valley Road out of that bustling suburb of Placerville. Within 10 minutes veer right (southeast) onto the Bucks Bar Road. When it meets the Mt Aukum Road, you’re in “downtown” Somerset.