Historic Cary House Hotel

300 Main St, Placerville, CA 95667, Auburn Lake Trails, United States

3-star hotel

Guest rating: 4.1 / 5

Overview

The Historic Cary House Hotel is a 3-star property built in 1857 in the heart of downtown Placerville, in the Sierra foothills. It has a storied guest list that reportedly includes Mark Twain and Elvis Presley, and it retains an old-fashioned, Gold Rush-era character throughout the building. Guests often note the strong sense of history, with some describing the hotel as having a reputation for resident spirits in the lobby, halls, and select rooms.

Rooms & Suites

Rooms are individually decorated with unfussy traditional decor and include cable TV, minifridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Some suites carry Gold Rush-era themes and include separate living rooms, offering more space than standard rooms. Guest experiences with room quality appear to vary, with some praising comfortable king beds and premium linens while others have found rooms lacking.

Dining & Complimentary Perks

The hotel includes complimentary continental breakfast as well as afternoon tea, coffee, and cookies for guests. A wood-paneled banquet room and an ivy-covered brick courtyard are available on site, adding to the historic ambiance for both dining and gathering. Complimentary parking is also included, a practical perk in the compact downtown setting.

Location & Nearby Attractions

The hotel sits directly in Downtown Placerville, just steps from the Fountain & Tallman Museum and within a couple of kilometers of the Gold Bug Mine, Gold Bug Park & Mine, and the El Dorado County Historical Museum. It's also a short drive from Apple Hill orchards and wineries, including Boa Vista Orchards, Apple Hill Growers Association, and Lava Cap Winery, as well as Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and Sutter's Mill. Red Hawk Casino is about 7 miles away, and the hotel sits just off the historic Lincoln Highway.

Best for

This hotel suits history buffs and travelers seeking an authentic, old-town atmosphere over modern polish, given its 1857 construction and Gold Rush-era theming. It's also well positioned for those exploring Apple Hill's orchards and wineries, Gold Bug Park & Mine, and nearby historic sites like Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, all reachable within a short drive from Downtown Placerville.

Travel tips

Because the hotel sits right in Downtown Placerville just off Lincoln Highway, many local sights -- including the Fountain & Tallman Museum and Gold Bug Mine -- are within easy walking or short driving distance. Visitors planning an Apple Hill excursion (orchards, wineries, and farms scattered several kilometers out) should plan for a short drive and check seasonal hours, especially during fall harvest when the area draws crowds. Complimentary parking is a convenience worth using given the historic downtown's limited street parking.

What guests say

Guests frequently highlight the hotel's historic charm and old-town atmosphere as a defining draw, along with a reputation for friendly, attentive front-desk staff who go out of their way to help. Some reviewers specifically praised comfortable king beds, quality linens, and towels, while others reported disappointing room conditions and subpar service, indicating inconsistency in guest experience. The building's age and reputed ghostly presence in the lobby and halls come up as a distinctive, recurring talking point among repeat visitors.

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