Location: Colfax
Top Things to do in Colfax
The 10 Best Things to Do in Colfax, United States
Colfax (formerly, Alden Grove, Alder Grove, Illinoistown, and Upper Corral) is a city in Placer County, California, at the crossroads of Interstate 80 and State Route 174. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,963 at the 2010 census. The town is named in honor of U.S. Vice President Schuyler Colfax (1869–73), a bronze statue of whom stands at Railroad Street and Grass Valley Street. (This is the only known statue of Schuyler Colfax in the United States). Some of the town's notable features include the newly restored Southern Pacific Railroad colonnade-style depot (which houses the Colfax Museum and Chamber of Commerce) built in 1905, the downtown shops on Main Street, and Colfax High School, which serves a large surrounding area.
Restaurants in Colfax
1. Rollins Lake
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 35 reviews
A scenic and calm lake for boating and camping.
Reviewed By Matthew B - Citrus Heights, California
We love Rollins Lake, especially during the week when it's not busy. Weekends can be quite crowded on the water. From Citrus Heights, we can be on the water in an hour. The scenery around the lake is beautiful. The launch facilities are adequate. There's nowhere we'd rather be in the summer!
2. Empire Mine State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 449 reviews
The remains of one of the West's most lucrative gold mines have been preserved as a historic park.
Reviewed By NevadaHighdesert - Nevada
This historic mine and surrounding state park have been well-preserved and the mineyard is well worth walking through, touring the restored mine office, part of the shaft, and many of the outbuildings. Inside is a small, well-arranged museum including a scale model of the hundreds of miles of slopes and shafts beneath the mine.
3. Sugar Pine Reservoir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Christopher W - California Desert, California
We stayed in site #5. Beautiful weather and very clean camp grounds. The reservoir water was nice and fun swimming. Bring your bicycle. There is a paved trial around the reservoir from the campground to the boat ramp.
4. Golden Drift Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By EffStop - Meadow Vista, California
Dutch Flat was founded n 1851 & boasted a Post Office by 1856. It was an early transportation center until the railroad pushed past the town. Mining was rich and it was a major Placer County mining area until an environmental lawsuit verdict of 1884 shut down hydraulic mining.
Lumber continued into the 20 Century with The Towle Brothers running 38 miles of narrow gauge railroad to service their lumber holdings. During the heyday of railroad construction Dutch Flat had one of the largest Chinese settlements outside of San Francisco. Today the town is California Historical Landmark.
The Golden Drift Museum tells this story quite well. There's a lot of information contained in this little building. As you enter the right hand wall that runs the length of the building is full of pictures of these various aspects, below them is a narrow counter containing as series of binders with a further explanation of each picture should you want more information than the caption. A neat feature demonstrated by a docent was that the pictures are attached by Velcro and you're encouraged to take them off the wall for a closer look if you like.
On your left are a couple of small rooms with other exhibits and a small selection of relevant books for sale. It's one of the best local museums I've ever visited.
The hours are limited to Memorial Day to September, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 12noon - 4pm.
It's a gem in the mountains telling it's story.
5. Foresthill Divide
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Region developed as a result of the Gold Rush. A popular area for mountain biking, hiking and camping.
Reviewed By EffStop - Meadow Vista, California
The Foresthill Divide is a geographic feature between the North and Middle Forks of the American River. It literally divides the river forks.
Rural, forested, remote, a place for outdoor adventure. Foresthill Road which goes East from I80 in Auburn is the main access route. 17 miles east of Auburn is the small town of Foresthill with the only services on the Divide.
Most of the Divide is within the Tahoe National Forest they have an office in Foresthill which s open during the week. There you can obtain brochures, information, & maps. There are a few main roads running mostly parallel to the river direction, essentially East to West.
There's fishing in the rivers, unfortunately the roads are at the top of the ridge, and the rivers are in the valley between ridges.. Trails connect at various points, but the walk down requires a climb back up.
Mosquito Ridge Road leaves Foresthill & goes East to French Meadows Reservoir then connects to Hell Hole Reservoir both of which have boat ramps. Sugar Pine Reservoir is up on the Divide closer to Foresthill. There are several campgrounds at the reservoirs and elsewhere on the Divide.
Something worth seeking out is Placer Big Trees, or Placer Grove of Sierra Redwoods on some maps. About 28 miles from Foresthill on Mosquito Ridge Rd you'll see a marked turnoff. There's an approx. 1 mile loop trail down into the grove. You will see a grove of large Sequoia/Redwood trees preserved since the 1870's by some of our forefathers with the insight to keep these extremely large trees from becoming mine timbers.
Speaking of history there are historic cemeteries in Foresthill, Todd Valley, and Michigan Bluff dating from the Gold Rush era.
There are dirt roads branching from the main roads in many areas of the Divide, some will take you off the Divide and into other areas. You can connect to Soda Springs up on Donner Summit and into El Dorado National Forest & Highway 50 by dirt backroads. If you want to take on these routes make sure your vehicle is in good shape, you have a full tank of gas, and a good map. Some extra food & water wouldn't be a bad idea either. This is very remote country, tell someone where you're going, and be prepared.
If you're an outdoor person with a sense of adventure you'll like this region. There's not a lot of development, but there is some very nice remote country to explore.
6. Knee Deep Brewing Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By mktraveler67 - Auburn, CA
This vast, cavernous brewery has a lot of potential, but needs to consider other types of beer besides high alcohol/high hops. Come on people, please broaden your horizons soon. No lager available? Hmmmm. Summer needs some summer beer. Get some pool tables or something too maybe?
7. Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By Chuck8700 - Riverside, California
We stopped in during the week after Christmas. The museum proper was not open. We walked around the grounds looking at rolling stock and tracks. We were approached by a volunteer who took us to the work shed. Inside were several volunteers working hard on restoring various pieces of railroad equipment.
We spent about two very educational hours.
8. Naggiar Vineyard & Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Voted Best Winery in the Sacramento area by KCRA3 A-list voters, every year since 2010! Family owned and operated business. Nestled in the Sierra foothills, the Tuscan villa inspired tasting room overlooks 60 acres of estate vineyard. Enjoy a glass of one of our award winning wines, a dish from the bistro and a breathtaking view. Take an informative fully guided vineyard tour on our Eco Shuttle. Live music every weekend and Tribute Shows in summer, there is something for everyone. All our wines are estate grown, produced and bottled on property. We specialize in Rhone, Italian and Bordeaux. See our website for more details and winter hours.
Reviewed By BrianK609 - Sioux Falls, South Dakota
On something of a whim, traveling from Reno to Sacramento we decided to give some wineries a try on the E side of Sacramento. This wonderful winery had everything you'd want for a pleasant daytime visit - knowledgeable, gracious host; extraordinary setting; delicious wine; and...MoreBrian, Thank you very much for your review. We appreciate it greatly and look forward to having you visit again. Cheers!
9. Codfish Creek Trail
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 5 reviews
A beautiful hiking trail with flora and fauna and a scenic waterfall.
Reviewed By Chellyj
A very nice hike. Trail very narrow at some points. May be a problem if a fear of heights in a few spots. I enjoyed the the hike mostly easy
10. Bourn House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
One of the attractions at Empire Mine State Historic Park.
Reviewed By David P - Nevada City, California
This is actually the Empire Mine State Park located in Grass Valley Calif. not Nevada City, the distance between the two cities is approx 4.5 miles. It's a beautiful park with flowering grounds, walking paths and horse riding trails. It has a great mining exhibit and a short ride in an ore car into the mine. The Bourn home is on the grounds but tours are only at certain times but worth the effort. The mine was the richest producing hard rock mine in the state and when you enter the park you can see a display showing the miles of mine shafts that made up the mine. It will also show you the proximity to other mines near by. It's truly amazing, you'd think with all the shafts and tunnels there are that the whole area could collapse ( and in fact sink holes have been known to occasionally open up ).
