Nestled between the outskirts of the Central Valley and the shores of Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County is home to some of the most unique, upscale, and historical communities in Northern California. Communities and neighborhoods are diverse and ranging from horse ranches, farms, and mountain retreats, to upscale suburbia and palatial estates.

Highway 50 is the major thoroughfare between Sacramento and El Dorado County, passing through the upscale communities of El Dorado Hills, all the way to South Lake Tahoe, the county’s largest municipality. Placerville, the county seat and one of the West’s most iconic historic old towns, lies just 45 miles southeast of the State Capitol and nine miles from Coloma, the site that launched the California Gold Rush. 

This particular enclave of the county is also abundant with wineries and farms, particularly in the Apple Hill area east of Placerville.

Stretching through the foothills and all the way up to Tahoma on the upper west shore of Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County is bustling with recreational activities. It’s bordered by Folsom Lake and Lake Tahoe and is home to the South Fork of the American River, as well as such popular spots as Camp Richardson, Fallen Leaf Lake, and Mount Tallac.

The area may be more defined by El Dorado Hills, a community comprised of gated, luxury communities and an affluent lifestyle. The tony Town Center draws residents and visitors from near and far for outdoor movies and concerts, holiday and seasonal events, and an endless array of shops, bistros, cafes, and services. Once ranked #77 in CNN Money Magazine’s best places to live, El Dorado Hills boasts a country-club lifestyle with good schools, low crime, and close proximity to some of the region’s largest employers. Intel’s Folsom campus, the company’s largest research and development sites, is just 14 miles from El Dorado Hills.