Our journey starts at the Historic Loomis Train Station. In the early 1900’s, Placer County was the fruit basket of the United States. More trains stopped at the fruit sheds of Loomis & Newcastle than anywhere in the United States.

We drive down old miner’s roads past lakes, meadows, farms, ranches, 1930’s PG&E substations, an old gas station & on a section of the old Lincoln Highway. As we drive down the Lincoln Highway on the right you see a sign for the New Life Church.  If you gaze to the left, you will see a monument honoring the old highway.  Interestingly, it has an actual section of the old highway embedded in the monument.

Our destination today is the Red Frog Bar & Grill.  The original name was the Cape View Tavern.  It was reported that this site had the first stagecoach robbery in Gold Country history. The Red Frog sits on a hillside offering panoramic views of the American River Canyon, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Cape Horn Promontory.  The Promontory is noteworthy because it was built by Chinese laborers for the Central Pacific Railroad.  It was built on the side of a mountain.

From the sharks on the ceilings to the frogs throughout the building the décor is unique and eclectic. It is a mishmash of vintage oddities and nostalgic memorabilia.  It is curated chaos where every square inch requires a double-take.  The menu is very limited. You have choice of Pizza, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Jalapeno Poppers and French Fries. The bar has a large choice of beverages.

After lunch, we continue our journey on some of the best MG roads in the Gold County.  We will return to Auburn during this part of the drive.

We will meet at the Historic Loomis Train Station located at 5775 Horseshoe Bar Road. Please arrive at 9:30 for a 10:00 departure.   

If you are interested in registering for this tour,

please contact me at 916-792-9825 or e-mail me at rjveliky@aol.com.