A Taste of California: Tahoe-El Dorado County-Amador County - Travel Video.

DVD. 72 Minutes. Tahoe When Mark Twain first saw Lake Tahoe, he described it as "surely the fairest picture the whole earth affords." Host Simon Kane shows us the beauty of the region and the wealth of accommodations, restaurants and activities available around its 72-mile shore. Share such invigorating "pure experiences" as hang gliding over Tahoe, dining at the Black Bear Tavern, the oldest restaurant building on the lake, white water rafting on the Truckee River, skiing and skating at Squaw Valley, site of the 1960 Olympics, and marveling at the million dollar views from the rooms at Ferrari's Crown Motel. El Dorado County One of California's original 27 counties, El Dorado is the undisputed home of the Gold Rush, and possibly home of the American vineyard too, with vines originally planted in 1849. Simon visits a number of historic sites in the county, including Marshall Gold Discovery Park, and the actual spot where gold was first found. Simon also visits several wineries, including Chateau Routon, where Arabian Horses are bred on the same site. In Placerville, Simon points out stops that are worth a detour including Hangman's Tree Pub, and the Shafsky House, a bed and breakfast in an original, turn of the century building. Amador County Amador county is the very heart of California's Gold Country, where prospectors flocked to find their fortunes 150 years ago. Simon talks to folklorist Robert Richards about the area's history, visits the Montevina winery, and checks out the local accommodations and attractions. In Sutter Creek, it's always 1898 in the Monteverde Store Museum and the Palace Saloon, where a typical gunfight is re-enacted in the street. Also featured are the Mine House Inn, a living relic of a golden past, and the Black Chasm an extrordinay underground cave famous for its rare helictite formations.