The gold rush town of Auburn in Northern California is often considered the summer playground for the city folk living in San Francisco and Sacramento. Auburn is centrally located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe with one hour drive from each city. For many years it was considered a stop over spot on your way to Tahoe, but more recently travelers have realized that the history and charm of Auburn make it a great weekend destination.

Although it’s a small mountain town, there’s still all the modern day amenities we hope to find on a vacation including delicious food and stylish accommodations for an overnight stay.

In Auburn there’s ample ways to enjoy outdoor adventures and particularly swimming in waterholes, rivers and lakes. Auburn is similar to Sacramento in that it has true seasons with spring blossoms, hot summers, fall is filled with colorful foliage and winter is very cold (Tahoe snow is not far away).

In Placer County the summer temperatures easily reach the high 90’s and triple digit 100’s, so a dip into the cool water is very welcomed. The temperatures start to warm up in late May and hit their peak in August and early September. Labor Day is often the hottest weekend of the year.

In this travel guide I’ll give you the blueprint for the best activities and spots to visit during your summer road trip to Auburn. Whether you want an action packed adventure or a more leisurely visit, you’ll find plenty of options below.

Best Rivers, Lakes & Waterholes for Swimming in Auburn

Important Information: Some of the outdoor spots mentioned in this blog post are inside the Auburn State Recreation Area and you will have to pay a $10 cash fee to park your car.

Yankee Jims Waterhole

Last summer my friends and I took a day trip from Sacramento to go swimming at Yankee Jims Waterhole. The climb down the mountain rocks was manageable and the water temperature was perfect for a hot day.

Fair warning, it’s a bit of a treacherous road alongside a steep cliff to get to this waterhole. There’s hardly space for two cars to drive by each other so it’s best to find a spot to pull over if you can to let other cars pass by you.

To find the Yankee Jims Waterhole, put Yankee Jim Bridge on Yankee Jims Rd, Colfax into your GPS. There are no buildings or businesses with an address anywhere close by.

See my complete guide to visiting Yankee Jims Swimming Hole.

Clark’s Swimming Hole at Lake Clementine

Lake Clementine is located at the North Fork American River Canyon and popular activities include hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, boating and lounging on the beachy shores. Clark's Swimming Hole is a naturally formed pool that is accessible from the Lake Clementine trailhead and your best bet for summer swimming at the lake.

Middle Fork American River Rafting

If you’re seeking heart pumping adventure then give whitewater rafting a try! This guided rafting tour takes you through 17 miles of the flowing American River and you’ll even experience the world famous Tunnel Chute.

Auburn Confluence / Foresthill Bridge Swimming Hole

The Auburn Confluence (also called the Foresthill Bridge Swimming Hole) is the easiest one to access and doesn't require much climbing to get down to the water.

The views are somewhat picturesque from this water hole because you’re located right under the Hwy 49 bridge. You’ll be parking on the side of the road and you’ll have to pay $10 cash to park your car.

The easiest way to find this spot is to put Auburn State Park Kiosk on Old Forresthill Road, Auburn into your GPS. The walking path down to the water is very close to the Ranger Station.

Coffee Shops & Sweets in Auburn

The Pour Choice Cafe

Of all the places in Auburn to grab coffee and a meal, Pour Choice is definitely the go to for the millennial generation. Both the food and aesthetics are fresh and light, just how we love it! My friends and I got the avocado toast and the All Day Salad with crafted lattes and ruby red iced hibiscus tea. Keep scrolling to see photos from our visit.

Tango Frozen Yogurt

Auburn in the summer easily hits 100 degrees and you’ll be looking for ways to cool down. Tango Frozen Yogurt is a quick 3 minute drive outside of Old Town (or a 15 minute walk) and they have flavors like Cherry Amaretto and California Tart.

The Baker and the Cakemaker

This artisan bakery and cafe makes handcrafted bread and pastries to enjoy alongside your morning coffee. They also serves sandwiches, soups and salads for a light lunch.

Auburn Alehouse Brewery and Restaurant in Old Town Auburn.

Foodie Restaurants in Auburn

Restaurant Josephine

Enjoy fine dining with French cuisine inside a historical brick building. This is a great date night or special celebratory diner spot. Looking at their menu, I would definitely order the Grilled Levain and Morbier Cheese Sandwich with asparagus and fava beans. Yum!

Crudo Fusion Kitchen + Raw Bar

This Asian fusion restaurant is conveniently located in the heart of Auburn’s Old Town. They have lots of seafood and meat options on the menu if you’re in a carnivorous mood. The interiors are darker with an industrial modern vibe.

Joe Caribe Bistro & Cafe

It’s very rare to find a restaurant serving Caribbean flavors and Joe’s doesn’t disappoint. Patrons especially love their curry burritos and pork mojo.

Nectar Cafe

Nectar Cafe serves all organic vegetarian and vegan food. Their menu is filled with super healthy and fresh food with plenty of fresh veggies and fruits.

Katrina’s Cafe

Katrina’s Cafe is an old school breakfast restaurant with a homey vibe. It’s not modern or Insta-worthy at all, but if you’re craving a plate of pancakes or waffles you can get your fix here.

Wineries & Breweries in Auburn

Auburn Alehouse & The Annex Tap Room & Provisions

These two locations are sister businesses and they’re located right across the street from each other in Auburn’s Old Town. They cater to beer enthusiasts with locally crafted brews. They also have a full restaurant with pub grub, burgers, pizza and more.

Placer County Wine & Ale Trail

The Sierra Foothills have the perfect conditions in the climate and soil to create the award winning wines and ales found in the many wineries and breweries in Placer County. There’s over 50 destinations on the trail, you can find the full list of wineries here and full list of breweries here.

Note - Most of these wineries and breweries are not in Auburn but close by in the surrounding area. So best to have a car for road trips around Placer County.

Viña Castellano in Auburn

Viña Castellano Spanish Winery is a short 15 minute drive from Auburn’s Old Town. They have scenic views of vineyards, tastings inside their wine cave and peaceful scenery next to a large pond.

Paza Estate Winery

Enjoy the beautiful estate grounds of Paza with a glass of red wine in hand. They are also a quick 15 minute drive from Auburn’s Old Town. They have picnic areas where you can bring your own food to enjoy with their wine. Dog are welcomed as long as they are well behaved and on a leash.

Crooked Lane Brewing

The Crooked Lane Brewing Company is located in Auburn and has a large lot with a Biergarten and expansive public areas to hangout. This brew company is a hub for activity and of course beer tasting. Your dog is welcome to join you in the outside patio.

Common Cider

Visit Common Cider’s Auburn tasting room to try their fruity alcoholic ciders. They often have live music, food trucks and events happening on-site, including yoga on Saturdays.

California Distilled Spirits

Try handmade spirits crafted locally in Auburn including gin, bourbon, whiskey, rye and brandy. They offer tastings on Saturdays from 1pm - 5pm.

Hiking Trails in Auburn

Hidden Falls Hiking Trail

This popular 3-mile hike goes through Hidden Falls Regional Park and is considered an easy hike for all levels. You’ll find waterfall views and wildflowers. Dogs are allowed on-leash.

Stagecoach Trail

The Stagecoach Trail is a 3.6 mile hike and is considered best for moderate level hikers. The trail has great views of the river and the bridge, along with fields of wildflowers and foliage.

Hike to the North Fork Dam of Lake Clementine

The Lake Clementine Trail takes you under the Foresthill Bridge and to the dam waterfalls which are both incredibly scenic. It’s slightly over 4 miles of hiking trails to reach the dam and the trailhead starts close to the address 137 Old Foresthill Rd, Auburn, CA 95603.

Robie Point Firebreak Trail

If you’re looking to spend more time out in nature, the Robie Point Firebreak Trail is 5.5 miles miles long and has a waterfall, river views and scenic lookout points.

Cardiac Hill

Located in the China Bar Auburn State Recreation Area, the Cardiac Hill Trail leads you very close to the flowing river shores. It’s considered moderate and runs for just over 4 miles.

Noteworthy Places to Visit in Auburn

Auburn Old Town

Auburn’s Old Town is likely the most visited area of Auburn by tourists. The city has done a great job of preserving the historical buildings which very much add to the charm. Old Town stretches for a few blocks and has a good selection of places to eat, bars and mom and pop shops to browse. You could easily spend an afternoon grabbing lunch and drinks in Old Town.

The Park Victorian

I have The Park Victorian listed below as a top hotel choice but it’s also worth mentioning as a beautiful spot with skyline views of Auburn Old Town. This small boutique hotel has mastered the coveted aesthetics of combining both modern and antique styles together.

Auburn Co-Op (May–September)

Once a month every summer the downtown streets of Auburn turn into a popular community gathering event where you’ll find arts, crafts and food. Check their website for upcoming dates.

The Historic Auburn Courthouse

The courthouse is the most prominent building in downtown Auburn and is both a functioning courthouse and a museum. My favorite part is that you can see the original Thomas Kinkade painting "Auburn Centennial" inside the 1st floor museum.