13 Favorite Places in Auburn, CA You Need to Visit
Does your hometown hold a special place in your heart? Maybe you can still hear the fireworks from the 4th of July celebration? Or taste the corn dogs from the county fair? Or feel the crunch of leaves from the field outside your house? I bet you can conjure up some great memories of the town you either grew up in or raised our children, or both. I’m with you there. But for me, Auburn, California, my hometown, holds so much more than memories. Auburn is such a gem of a small town that you simply have to visit to discover all it’s wonderful goodness. You will love visiting this hometown of mine! But before you start booking your trip to this Gold Country capital, keep reading to find out my 13 favorite places in Auburn you need to visit.
Auburn is full of beauty, history, unique shops, and great eats. Although it has definitely grown since I was a child, it still has that small town vibe that makes it a charming and fantastic place to visit. You will love Downtown, Old Town, the restaurants, shops, sights and all the natural beauty that surrounds Auburn. Following is the list of my favorites places, although without the corn dogs and fireworks. 😉
1. The Pour Choice Coffee Shop:
Start your day with a handcrafted coffee at The Pour Choice, Auburn’s popular new coffee shop in the heart of Old Town and the newest of the favorite places in Auburn you need to visit. This is a great place to enjoy a cappuccino (my favorite) or other coffee drink any time of the day. They also have some delicious food options and one of the few places you can get authentic French croissants. However, these good folks also offer wine and beer on tap for even more options. It’s a delightful setting with seating downstairs, upstairs and now an outdoor patio with more seating. Don’t miss this new Auburn favorite. https://thepourchoice.com/
2. Old Town Auburn:
After your coffee, or wine, check out some of the small shops and museums in Old Town Auburn. Many of these shops are housed in historic Gold Country era buildings. You can peruse antiques, silver shops, quaint and hip clothing shops, and others. There are also a few restaurants and bars should you need a bite or a drink.
Corner shops in Old Town Auburn Claude Chana Statue
Be sure to check out one of the oldest, continuously operated post office in California as well as the old fire station and the famous statue of Claude Chana, sculpted by Dr. Kenneth Fox. Claude Chana was a French immigrant who came to California in 1846 and had traveled part of the way with the Donner Party. He is credited with founding Auburn when he found gold in the Auburn Ravine on May 16, 1848. This statue (and others massive statues by Dr. Fox) is a must see and another of the favorite places in Auburn to visit.
3. The Auburn Alehouse Brewing Company:
The Alehouse is housed in the old American Block building, constructed in 1855. This same building also housed the Shanghai Bar and Restaurant, which was the oldest and longest running bar/restaurant in California, from 1896 until 2005. The Alehouse has over 15 different craft brews, so I’m sure you’ll find your own favorite there. Check them out at https://auburnalehouse.com/
4. The Auburn Courthouse:
No visit to Auburn would be complete without seeing the beautiful and fully restored Courthouse. As the county seat, Auburn is important in judicial and governmental affairs, and the courthouse is one of the symbols of Auburn. Plus, it’s just a very impressive building. So on your way out of Old Town, stop by to rest on the massive steps and take a few pics. Be sure to check out my post on must do travel photos.
5. Downtown Auburn:
After leaving Old Town, head up High street to Downtown Auburn, once the center of Auburn commerce, it still has the charm and draw it always did and why it’s another of my favorite places in Auburn you need to visit. Although, the major shopping centers are in North Auburn, there are still some wonderful, one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants to enjoy. Downtown is split between High Street and Lincoln way, both of which are great to walk and enjoy the shops. You can find books, jewelry, clothing, shoes and other unique shopping experiences. The highlight of downtown is the recently created ‘Auburn Central Square’ where travelers and locals can sit and enjoy some food and take in the small town charm.
6. Tango Frozen Yogurt:
Whenever I go back to my hometown, I have to go to one of my favorite places in Auburn to visit, Tango Frozen Yogurt and get my fix. YUM! You can build your own yogurt sundae with daily flavors like Chocolate Decadence, Vanilla, Yellow Cake Batter or Raspberry Sorbet with loads of enticing toppings to choose from. They charge by weight though, so think about how much you are piling on. But it is a definite stop while you are in Downtown and it’s right on the Central Square so you can enjoy the view and people watch while you indulge in some frozen deliciousness.
7. Nectar Café:
If you want to go for more healthy fare, definitely check out Nectar Café. This local restaurant is also located right in the Square and offers organic, vegetarian and wholesome foods such as their humus plate, stuffed avocados, and chickpea salad. You’ll feel great after enjoying a healthy snack or meal. Find a seat outside and enjoy the beautiful Auburn weather.
8. Winston Books:
If you are into books, this is a must stop while in Downtown. They have a wide selection of used and some new books, as well as a good collection of books by local authors. The owners are experts at finding just the book you are looking for. But if you’re like me, you can get lost in the joy of searching and exploring the shelves yourself. Beware though, time can tick by fairly quickly here and before you know it, 2 or 3 hours have gone by while you revel in all the book goodness. 😉 You’ll find this favorite place in Auburn to visit across from Tango’s Yogurt.
9. Vintage Redeemed:
And speaking of reveling in the used department, one of the newest shops in Downtown is Vintage Redeemed and is another favorite place to visit while in Auburn. Vintage Redeemed is a quaint vintage shop full of trinkets, clothing, furniture, whimsical décor, and reclaimed vintage items; a cornucopia of fun for those who love all things vintage décor. It’s like visiting Pinterest in person! Be sure to check it out!
10. Foresthill Bridge:
Once you’ve finished with Downtown, continue on High Street to reach old Highway 49 towards Cool. Driving the slightly curvy road will reward you with the spectacular natural scenery of the American River and canyon along with the awe inspiring view of the Foresthill Bridge from the bottom, the tallest bridge in California. Do some hiking while you’re there or just sit by the river with your feet in the water for a more relaxing afternoon. It is definitely a highlight in the favorite places to visit in Auburn.
If you would rather see the bridge and the view of the beautiful American River Canyon from the top, you’ll need to get back onto Interstate 80 east and take the Foresthill exit. Turn right and you will head right to the bridge and the amazing views. Pull off along the road before you arrive at the bridge and take some time to walk along this massive, 730 foot high structure. It’s impressive! The Foresthill bridge has been used many times in commercials, advertisements and even movies like Vin Diesel’s Triple XXX. The famous red Corvette scene was filmed off the Foresthill bridge.
11. Yoga Reclaimed:
Because there is so much to see, do, eat or drink in Auburn, you might need some re-energizing or relaxing. And taking a class at Yoga Reclaimed, voted best yoga studio 3 years running by Auburn residents, may be just the thing to get your body and mind ready for more. Owners, Ryan and Jamie, are excellent instructors and wonderful, inviting people. You will feel welcomed and at home almost instantly. There is a full schedule of classes and drop-ins are welcome. If you happen to be there on a Saturday morning, they offer a community, donation-only class that you will love. Check out their schedule here. http://yogareclaimed.com/class-schedule/
12. Crooked Lane Brewing:
If a pint of brew is more your style, skip the yoga and head to Crooked Lane Brewery right next door. The latest local micro brewery serves 21 craft beers including IPA’s, lagers, pale ales and more; and with local food trucks almost every night, you can also pick up a light snack or fun dinner too!
13. Placer Wine Trail:
You don’t have to go to Napa or Sonoma to enjoy excellent, award-winning California wine. The Placer Wine Trail has 19 wineries to choose from all with unique wines nurtured by the volcanic soil and warm sunshine of Placer County. Spend a day traveling through the lovely, rural countryside while you enjoy some amazing wine and discover why this is one of the favorite places in Auburn you need to visit. And if you want another reason to visit the wineries, check out my post on the health benefits of drinking wine.
My favorite wineries?
Top on the list is Wise Villa Winery, the “Golden State Winery of the year 2015” and the only winery in Placer County with a full service Tuscan-style bistro, culinary team, wine educators, & professional wait staff. Their all-estate wines are comparable to any Napa winery. Wise Villa is a wonderful stop along the trail to not only try some delicious wine, but also have some lunch at their Tuscan-style bistro and take in the breathtaking views of the vineyards and hills beyond.
My other favorite wineries include Cante Ao Vinho, a small winery located in the Historic Barudoni Building on Front Street in Rocklin, is owned by two brothers, Tom and Frank Farinha, who love to entertain and will make you feel like family as soon as you enter. Their goal is simple… to share their wine with family and friends and have fun while doing it. Another favorite is Viña Castellano, a small, estate winery specializing in Mediterranean varietals. At Viña Castellano, you’ll enjoy the wines; the stone cave tasting room and the surrounding landscape.
I love going back to my hometown, especially to visit my family and my favorite places. From the good coffee at Pour Choice, the history of Old Town, the indulging frozen yogurt at Tango’s, to Downtown shops, an awesome yoga class at Yoga Reclaimed and of course visiting my favorite wineries, it is always a joy to visit Auburn. I hope reading about the 13 favorite places in Auburn you need to visit will inspire you to make the trip yourself. Auburn may have grown from its small town roots, but its charming hometown spirit, gorgeous outdoors and wonderful local shops and restaurants will make you glad you came.
Auburn has so much more to offer than even my 13 favorites. So if you have your own favorites, I’d love to hear about them. Or let me know if you agree with my list. Leave a comment below and happy traveling! Keep making your someday…today. ~ Kathleen
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