It’s quite apparent that many, many hours of research went into the preparation of this book. Bachelis quite thoroughly maps out the Sacramento area for travelers, with indexes providing information regarding restaurants, Hotels/Motels, Bed & Breakfasts, campgrounds and RV parks, transportation available, information sources, entertainment, clubs, recreation, and even shopping.
         Part II of the book is devoted to the Gold Country. Bachelis includes a general history of the gold discovery, relates what “life in the mines” was really like, and talks about the people who came to California to search for gold. The touring section of the book concerning the Gold Country is broken down into two sections; the Southern Mines, and the Northern Mines.
         In the Southern Mines, the stretch from Mariposa to Amador City, most of the major towns are covered, including a map of the area and many pictures of town highlights. Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is also detailed, along with other attractions of the Southern Mines, such as the various caverns in the area, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, the Preston Castle in Ione, and the Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park located in Pine Grove.
         The Northern Mines section covers the area from Placerville to Nevada City. This area includes Coloma and the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, the Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley, the Bridgeport loop (upon which is a cool covered bridge), and perhaps my favorite area in the Gold Country, the Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park. Again, a map is included as well as many photos.
         A small section devoted to Winetasting in the Foothills is also included.--E. K.