Major city · United States
El Dorado Hills
Half-day stop between Sacramento and Placerville: walk Town Center, see Folsom Lake, then move on. Not a base.
El Dorado Hills is a planned community in California's Gold Country, 25 minutes east of Sacramento on US-50. Its Town Center has shops and dining; Folsom Lake offers boating and trails. Most travellers pass through on the way to Placerville or Lake Tahoe.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, crowded at the lake)
- Airport
- SMF
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for El Dorado Hills911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about El Dorado Hills, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSMF Sacramento International (About 45 min via US-50 and I-5).
- Getting aroundCar essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée$18–35
- BeerBeer (pint)$6–8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Town Center to US-50 (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi from Town Center to US-50 (3.1 mi (5 km))check availability$15–25
- Budget bedMotel room (Holiday Inn Express level), a night, per roomUS$120
- Mid-range bedMotel room (Holiday Inn Express level), a night, per roomUS$160
- High-end bedMotel room (Holiday Inn Express level), a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SMF Sacramento International (About 45 min via US-50 and I-5)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
El Dorado Hills: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car essential. Taxis are rare (4 cabs in town, check). Ride-hail apps work. Town Center is walkable.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20 min
US-50 east, about 15 min
Historic main street and Gold Country museums.
Coloma, California
goDoor to door: 30 min
US-50 east to CA-49 north, about 20 min
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
Pollock Pines
goDoor to door: 35 min
US-50 east, about 25 min
Gateway to hiking and rafting on the South Fork American River.
Sacramento
goDoor to door: 30 min
US-50 west, about 25 min
State Capitol, Old Sacramento, museums.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town Center
Walkable to dining and shops; Holiday Inn Express here.
US-50 corridor
Chain motels and quick freeway access.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100
- Mid
- $100–200
- High
- $200+
Trip budget
| Motel room (Holiday Inn Express level)1 × 1 night × US$160 | US$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Gas for 50 km driving1 × US$8 · check | US$8 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$47 |
| Trip total≈ US$258 per person per day, bed included | US$515 |
2026 estimate in USD. Car rental and fuel excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Lunch entrée at Town Center | $12–18 |
| Dinner entrée | $18–35 |
| Beer (pint) | $6–8 |
| Taxi from Town Center to US-50 (5 km)check availability | $15–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- US-50 traffic can back up toward Sacramento on weekday afternoons.
- Folsom Lake levels vary by season; check conditions before planning boating.
- The Rock is painted by locals — the design changes often.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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El Dorado HillsEl Dorado Hills
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- SMF → El Dorado Hills by car: about $50–70 Uber, 45 min
- US-50 toll (none): free road
No public transit within town; ride-hail or drive.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for El Dorado Hills. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, crowded at the lake) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about El Dorado Hills
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