Located in diverse Northern California, Placer County borders Sacramento, Nevada and El Dorado counties, as well as the State of Nevada. Over half of scenic Placer County is National Forest and State Park property, offering wild and scenic rivers, breathtaking streams, valley views, and high mountain vistas. Lower elevations include grasslands, Gold Rush-era town sites and gently rolling hills. Two major highways, Interstate 80 and State Hwy 49, intersect at the City of Auburn. The westernmost edge of Placer County is a scant 100’ above sea level, while the eastern portion is home to the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range, with peaks towering above 9000’. Season temperatures vary widely according to elevation and time of the year.

Lake Tahoe and other mountain areas: In winter there are World-Class downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating and other snow sports. Other activities to be considered in the spring, summer and autumn are, hiking, camping, rock-climbing, mountain biking, fishing, boating, water-skiing, and swimming. In addition there are beautiful vistas at nearly every turn of the road or trail. Outdoor concerts, music and Shakespearean festivals, Fourth of July fireworks’ and many more celebrations round out the seasons.

The foothills and the valley floor offer a cadre of diverse events and attractions: New Year’s Eve Torch Parade at Squaw Valley; listen to the Auburn Symphony or Jazz at 808; check out an old muscle car during Cruise Night; take an Art Walk for original art works; go whitewater rafting on the American River; or gold-panning along any of the rivers, lakes and streams; enjoy star-gazing away from city lights.

Anytime during the year, you can be assured that somewhere a celebration and/or festival is taking place, such as: the Auburn Art Walk (April – Oct); “Feats of Clay” (Lincoln, May); “Jazz at 808” (Auburn, May - Sept); "Music on the Green" (Auburn Symphony, Auburn Library Park, Auburn, May); Roseville’s “Music in the Park” (May - August); Confluence Festival (Auburn, June); Placer County Fair (Roseville, June), Summer Music Festival (Lake Tahoe, June - August); Fourth of July Celebrations with Fireworks (nearly every community, July); Foresthill’s Heritage Festival (Foresthill, September); Gold Country Fair (Auburn, September); Eggplant Festival (Loomis, October); Placer Farm & Barn Tour (County-wide, October); Autumn Art Studios Tour (County-Wide, November); Cowboy Poetry (Loomis, November); Mountain Mandarin Festival (Gold Country Fairgrounds, November); assorted Christmas Crafts and Music Festivals (several communities, Nov – Dec); “Festival of Lights” parade (Auburn, December); Placer Theatre Ballet (May, December).