Gold Trail Motor Lodge

1970 Broadway, Placerville, CA 95667, Auburn Lake Trails, United States

2-star hotel

Guest rating: 3.0 / 5

Overview

Gold Trail Motor Lodge is a budget, 2-star motor lodge set a block off the historic Lincoln Highway/US Route 50 in Placerville, California, recognizable by its retro 1950s-style neon sign. Rooms are accessed via exterior corridors in classic motor-court style, reflecting the property's roadside-lodging heritage. It's a no-frills option aimed at travelers looking for an affordable overnight stop rather than a full-service resort experience.

Rooms

Low-key rooms sleep up to 4 guests and come equipped with free WiFi, televisions, minifridges, and microwaves, with some units featuring kitchenettes for light self-catering. The straightforward layouts suit travelers who need a functional, no-frills place to sleep rather than upscale finishes.

Amenities & Recreation

Guests can use an outdoor pool at the motel next door free of charge, and parking on-site is free. A taqueria is about a minute's drive away for quick, casual meals, giving guests an easy nearby dining option without needing to travel into town.

Location

The lodge sits within a few miles of Gold Rush-era attractions including Gold Bug Park & Mine and Gold Bug Mine (roughly 3.9 km away), the Fountain & Tallman Museum, and Downtown Placerville. It's also close to several wineries and orchards, such as Lava Cap Winery, Boa Vista Orchards, Apple Hill, and Lewis Grace Winery & Tasting Room, all within about 2.7 km, making it a convenient base for exploring the Apple Hill and El Dorado wine country region.

Best for

This lodge best suits budget-conscious road-trippers and Apple Hill/wine-country day-trippers who want an inexpensive, no-frills base near US Route 50, given its free parking, proximity to numerous wineries and orchards, and easy access to Gold Rush-era historic sites like Gold Bug Park & Mine. It's less suited to travelers seeking upscale amenities or full-service comforts.

Travel tips

Being a block off US Route 50/the Lincoln Highway, the lodge is easy to reach by car and well positioned for driving to nearby wineries, orchards, and historic sites, most of which are within a 2-8 km radius. Since dining options on-site are limited, plan to use the nearby taqueria (about a minute's drive) or head into Downtown Placerville, about 4 km away, for more choices. Fall visitors aiming for Apple Hill's harvest season should expect the area to be busier, so booking ahead and allowing extra driving time is worthwhile.

What guests say

Reviews are mixed, splitting between guests who found the lodge to be an affordable, clean option with friendly, helpful staff and comfortable beds, and others who reported significant problems. Recurring negative themes include unclean rooms and stained furniture or carpet, unfriendly or unresponsive staff, and non-functioning in-room amenities such as TVs, WiFi, and phones. Some guests also felt the pricing didn't match the condition of the rooms. Overall, experiences appear inconsistent, with cleanliness and working amenities being the most frequently cited concerns among dissatisfied guests, while value and staff friendliness are the most cited positives among satisfied guests.

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