Jackson CaliforniaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Jackson, California.
1. Kennedy Gold Mine
HISTORIC GOLD RUSH SITE
Kennedy Gold Mine is a historic site that operated from 1860 until 1942, unearthing $34 million in gold during its active years. The mine is now open for tours on weekends from March through October, offering visitors a glimpse into California's rich gold mining history. Visitors can explore the preserved mining structures and learn about the techniques used during the Gold Rush era.
2. Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort
GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION
Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort is a popular gaming destination featuring over 1,400 slot machines and 28 gaming tables with various card games. The resort offers multiple dining options including the Lone Wolf Restaurant & Lounge where visitors can enjoy a ribeye paired with local Amador County Zinfandels. Beyond gambling, the resort serves as a nightlife hub in the otherwise tranquil foothills region.
3. Kennedy Tailing Wheels Park
GOLD MINING HERITAGE
Kennedy Tailing Wheels Park preserves an important part of Jackson's gold mining operations with its historic structures. The park features the massive tailing wheels that were once used to move mine waste as part of the gold extraction process. Visitors can observe these engineering marvels while learning about the environmental impact and industrial innovation of historical mining practices.
4. Historic Main Street
GOLD RUSH ERA ARCHITECTURE
Historic Main Street in Jackson showcases well-preserved Gold Rush era architecture and charm in the heart of town. The street is lined with historic buildings housing unique shops, restaurants, and businesses that maintain their 19th-century character. Visitors can stroll the sidewalks while experiencing the authentic atmosphere of a California Gold Country town.
5. Lake Tabeaud Picnic Area
OUTDOOR RECREATION SPOT
Lake Tabeaud Picnic Area offers a serene day-use park for fishing, hiking, biking, and horseback riding in the Jackson area. The lake features picnic areas, restrooms, ample parking, and scenic trails that wind around the water's edge. While motorboats are prohibited, visitors can enjoy the peaceful waters via kayaks and canoes.
6. Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS LANDMARK
Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church stands as the first Serbian Orthodox Church in North America and has been designated a National Historic Landmark since 1986. The church features distinctive historic architecture that reflects the cultural heritage of Serbian immigrants who settled in the area during the Gold Rush era. Visitors can appreciate both the religious significance and architectural beauty of this important cultural landmark.
7. Main Street Theatre Works
MINE AMPHITHEATER PRODUCTIONS
Main Street Theatre Works has been staging professional theater productions in the amphitheater at the Kennedy Mine for more than 25 years. This unique venue combines California's gold mining history with quality theatrical performances in an outdoor setting. The theater group offers seasonal productions that allow visitors to enjoy cultural entertainment against the backdrop of historic mine structures.
8. Hein & Company Bookstore
MASSIVE INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLER
Hein & Company Bookstore is Jackson's enormous independent bookseller housing an impressive collection of 650,000 books. The store serves as a cultural hub on Main Street, offering literature enthusiasts an extensive selection of titles to browse and purchase. The second floor holds another attraction—Baker Street West, with its Sherlock Holmes-themed shops.
9. Baker Street West
SHERLOCK HOLMES EXPERIENCE
Baker Street West is a Sherlock Holmes-inspired attraction located above Hein & Company Bookstore featuring eight themed shops dedicated to the famous detective. Visitors can enjoy Holmes story readings and take docent tours of a detailed recreation of the detective's London flat. This unexpected literary destination brings Victorian London to California's Gold Country through immersive experiences and themed events.
10. Detert Park
COMMUNITY RECREATION AREA
Detert Park provides Jackson residents and visitors with a welcoming community recreation area in the heart of the city. The park offers green spaces, picnic facilities, and play areas for families to enjoy outdoor activities. It serves as a gathering place for community events and casual recreation throughout the year.
11. Natural Bridges Trail
LIMESTONE CAVERN HIKE
Natural Bridges Trail offers a 2-mile hike through two spectacular limestone caverns that have been carved out by Coyote Creek just outside of Jackson. Hikers can traverse through these short but impressive natural tunnels created by the flowing water over millennia. The trail provides a perfect combination of natural beauty and geological wonder for outdoor enthusiasts.
12. Lone Wolf Restaurant & Lounge
UPSCALE LOCAL DINING
Lone Wolf Restaurant & Lounge at the Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort offers an upscale dining experience featuring succulent ribeye steaks and other premium entrees. The restaurant proudly pairs its cuisine with Amador County's renowned Zinfandel wines, showcasing local vintages. Diners can enjoy a sophisticated atmosphere while savoring quality food after a day of exploring Jackson's attractions.
13. Sutter Creek
CHARMING GOLD COUNTRY TOWN
Sutter Creek is a picturesque Gold Rush-era town located near Jackson with well-preserved historic buildings and a charming main street. The town offers visitors boutique shopping, wine tasting rooms featuring local Amador County wines, and several bed and breakfast accommodations in historic structures. Sutter Creek's walkable downtown area makes it a perfect day trip destination for those staying in Jackson.
14. Volcano
HISTORIC MINING COMMUNITY
Volcano is a tiny historic mining town near Jackson that once flourished during the Gold Rush with a population exceeding 5,000 residents. The town features the Volcano Theatre Company performing in the historic Cobblestone Theatre, one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in California. Visitors can explore remnants of the town's mining past while enjoying its quiet charm and natural surroundings.
15. Angels Camp
MARK TWAIN'S FROG TOWN
Angels Camp is a Gold Rush town where Mark Twain heard the tale that inspired his famous story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." The town celebrates this literary connection with the annual "Jumping Frog Jubilee" each May, drawing thousands of visitors to participate in and watch frog-jumping competitions. Beyond this unique attraction, Angels Camp offers a historic downtown with shops and restaurants, plus nearby outdoor adventures including the Carson Hill ghost town where a 195-pound gold nugget was discovered in 1854.