6 Hidden Gems in El Dorado County to Visit with Kids
If you’re looking for unique things to do with kids in El Dorado County, there is so much more to explore beyond the usual Apple Hill stops!
From riding a historic train through Gold Country and walking inside a real gold mine to sipping coffee inside an old train depot, playing beneath the pine trees and having dinner in an enchanted forest, these six hidden gems make great additions to a Northern California family day trip.
Many of these spots are located right off Highway 50 and can easily be paired together for a full day of exploring.
1. Argonaut Farm to Fork Café – Coloma
📍 331 CA-49, Coloma, CA 95613
🌐 Website: argonautcafe.com
💲 No admission — just pay for food and drinks
Located right in Coloma near Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Argonaut Farm to Fork Café is one of those little places that makes a great family outing even better.
The café serves breakfast and lunch along with coffee and espresso drinks. The location is one of the biggest perks — you’re right in the heart of California Gold Country and can easily turn your meal into an entire day of exploring.
Why families will love it:
● Breakfast and lunch
● Coffee and espresso drinks for the parents
● Casual, kid-friendly atmosphere
● Located right by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
● Easy to pair with Gold Rush history, walking trails and time along the American River
Make a day of it!
After eating, head over to Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, where gold was discovered in 1848, setting off the California Gold Rush.
Kids can visit the Gold Discovery Museum, walk around the historic town of Coloma, see historic buildings and explore the park.
📍 Gold Discovery Museum & Visitor Center 310 Back Street, Coloma, CA 95613
Parking/day-use at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is currently $10 per vehicle, or $9 for seniors 62+.
NorCal With Kids Tip: This is an easy stop to combine with other Highway 49 adventures. Give yourself extra time to wander around Coloma instead of only stopping for food.
2. El Dorado Western Railroad Excursion Train – El Dorado
📍 El Dorado Station/Historical Railroad Park 4650 Oriental Street, El Dorado, CA 95623
🚂 Full-size excursion train: typically the first and second Saturday of the month
🎟 Schedule and ticket info: https://eldoradolibrary.org/el-dorado-western-railroad/
🎟 Advance tickets are highly recommended
One of the coolest hidden gems in El Dorado County is the El Dorado Western Railroad.
Families can ride along a historic railroad line that dates back to the late 1800s. The volunteer-operated railroad has long offered rides aboard smaller vintage railroad inspection cars, but its full-size excursion train has become especially popular.
The full-size excursion train currently operates on the first and second Saturday of each month and can sell out, so I recommend checking the current schedule and purchasing tickets ahead of time.
Recent 2026 excursion pricing has been:
● Adults: $12
● Children: $3
Prices and schedules can change, so always verify before making the drive.
Why families will love it:
● A real train ride through El Dorado County
● Great for train-loving kids
● Affordable family activity
● Historic railroad experience
● Playground at Historical Railroad Park
● Access to the paved El Dorado Trail
NorCal With Kids Tip: Don’t just show up expecting a seat on the full-size train. These rides have become popular and can sell out in advance.
3. Hangtown’s Gold Bug Park & Mine – Placerville
📍 2635 Gold Bug Lane, Placerville, CA 95667
🌐 Website: goldbugpark.org
If your kids have ever wondered what it would be like to actually walk inside a gold mine, this is the place!
Gold Bug Park is home to a real historic hard-rock gold mine. Visitors put on hard hats and take a self-guided audio tour underground through Gold Bug Mine.
And the mine is only part of the experience.
Families can also explore the museum, see the historic Hendy Stamp Mill and Blacksmith Shop, hike the park trails, picnic and even try gem panning when available.
Current admission:
● Adults: $12
● Seniors 55+/Military: $10
● Youth ages 6–17: $6
● Ages 5 and under: FREE
Gem panning is currently $5 per hour and includes pan rental when available.
Parking and entrance to the park grounds, trails and picnic areas are FREE. You only need admission for the mine and included attractions.
Why families will love it:
● Walk inside a REAL gold mine
● Kids get hard hats for the mine tour
● Self-guided audio tour
● Mining museum
● Historic stamp mill
● Blacksmith shop
● Gem panning
● Hiking trails
● Picnic areas
● Free parking
Gold Bug Park services are generally open daily April through October from 10 AM–4 PM, with more limited weekend hours during the winter. Mine tours end before closing, so don’t arrive at the last minute.
NorCal With Kids Tip: Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a light layer. Even when Placerville is hot, it feels much cooler once you head underground.
4. Wisegal Coffee + Shingle Springs Train Depot
📍 4241 Mother Lode Drive, Shingle Springs, CA 95682
🌐 Website: wisegalcoffee.com
This isn’t your typical coffee stop!
Wisegal Coffee is located inside the historic Shingle Springs train depot, making it a fun stop even when you’re traveling with kids.
The locally owned coffee shop serves espresso drinks, specialty coffees, pastries and breakfast items in a cozy historic setting. Parents get their caffeine fix, while train-loving kids get to check out an actual old railroad depot.
Why families will love it:
● Located inside a historic train depot
● Specialty coffee drinks
● Breakfast burritos, quiche and pastries
● Fun train-themed stop
● Easy stop right off Highway 50
● Can be paired with an El Dorado Western Railroad ride
Current Wisegal hours are:
Monday–Friday: 6 AM–2 PM Saturday–Sunday: 7 AM–2 PM
BONUS: Ride the railroad inspection cars!
The El Dorado Western Railroad also operates its smaller historic railroad inspection cars from the Shingle Springs area on select weekends.
These rides are different from the full-size excursion train departing from El Dorado Station. The inspection cars offer a smaller, more intimate railroad experience and rides are approximately 30 minutes.
Because railroad schedules can change, check the El Dorado Western Railroad schedule before planning your trip.
NorCal With Kids Tip: Plan your visit around a railroad operating day and turn your morning coffee run into a mini train adventure.
5. Hidden Star Camino – Apple Hill
📍 2740 Cable Road, Camino, CA 95709
🌐 Website: hiddenstarorchards.com
🍎 Apple Hill Grower Farm #23
Apple Hill isn’t just for fall!
Hidden Star Camino is one of my favorite family-friendly stops because there’s something here for both the kids AND adults.
The property has a barn-style taproom serving Hidden Star’s craft hard apple ciders, plus a bakery with sweet and savory food.
But the real reason this makes the kid-friendly hidden gem list is the large children’s play area tucked underneath the pine trees.
Parents can grab something to eat or drink while the kids have room to play and explore outside.
Why families will love it:
● Large children’s play area
● Plenty of outdoor seating
● Apple cider doughnuts
● Apple fritters and pie
● Paninis, hot dogs and fries
● Craft hard cider for adults
● Beautiful Apple Hill setting
● Dog friendly
● Open beyond the traditional Apple Hill fall season
There are plenty of picnic tables and benches around the property, making this an easy place to slow down and hang out instead of rushing from farm to farm.
The cider barn operates year-round, although days and hours vary seasonally.
NorCal With Kids Tip: Don’t save this one only for peak Apple Hill season! Visiting outside the busiest fall weekends can make for a much more relaxed family outing.
6. Enchanted Forest Dining Experience – Placerville
📍 372 Main Street, Placerville, CA 95667
🌐 Website: enchantedforestdining.com
📞 Reservations recommended
Finish your El Dorado County adventure with dinner somewhere the kids definitely won’t expect.
Enchanted Forest Dining Experience is tucked along historic Main Street in Placerville, but once you step inside, it feels like you’ve entered another world.
The immersive restaurant takes inspiration from enchanted forests, Celtic and Irish heritage, Renaissance Europe, fairies, elves and storybook taverns.
The whimsical atmosphere is what makes this such a fun dining experience with kids.
Why families will love it:
● Immersive enchanted forest atmosphere
● Fairytale-inspired décor
● Fun special-occasion restaurant
● Located in historic downtown Placerville
● Easy to pair with Gold Bug Mine or Apple Hill
● Themed drinks and cocktails for adults
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
Current hours are primarily Thursday through Sunday and can change, so check the restaurant’s website before visiting.
NorCal With Kids Tip: Let the kids dress up if they’re into fairies, princesses, knights or fantasy. It makes an already unique dinner even more fun.
Turn These 6 Hidden Gems Into a Family Day Trip
One of the best parts about exploring El Dorado County is how easy it is to combine several stops into one adventure.
For a Gold Rush day, try:
Argonaut Café → Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park → Gold Bug Mine → Enchanted Forest Dining
For a train-loving kid day, try:
Wisegal Coffee → Shingle Springs railroad ride OR El Dorado excursion train → Historical Railroad Park playground
For an Apple Hill day, try:
Hidden Star Camino → explore more Apple Hill farms → downtown Placerville → Enchanted Forest Dining
Whether you’re visiting from Sacramento, planning a Northern California road trip or you’re local and looking for something new to do with the kids, these El Dorado County hidden gems are definitely worth adding to your list.
Have you visited any of these spots? What El Dorado County hidden gem should we add next?
Follow NorCal With Kids for more kid-friendly adventures, weekend events, hidden gems and family day trips throughout Northern California.
Hours, prices, schedules and availability can change. Always check directly with each business or attraction before making a special trip.