Placer County was home to the peaceful Nisenan Native Americans for hundreds of years before the discovery of gold in 1848 brought hordes of miners from around the world.

Only three years after the discovery of gold, the fast-growing county was formed from portions of Sutter and Yuba counties on April 25, 1851 with Auburn as the county seat.  Placer County took its name from the Spanish word for sand or gravel deposits containing gold.  Miners washed away the gravel, leaving the heavier gold, in a process known as "placer mining."

Today, Placer Count serves over 300,000 residents from its border with Sacramento County to the Nevada state line.  County communities include Loomis, Roseville, Lincoln, Rocklin, Auburn, Foresthill, Colfax, Tahoe City and Kings Beach.

Placer County's climate, geography and historical richness contribute to its high quality of life.  The geography of the county encompasses the grasslands of the Gold Country, the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range, and numerous rivers, lakes, state and national parks, and many ski resorts.  The solitude of country living and the magnificent mountains provides a perfect retreat from urban life.  For those wishing a respite from urban life, Placer County offers hiking, biking, camping, snow skiing, snow boarding, horseback riding, fishing, water sports, ice-skating and hunting, plus much more.  For the more cosmopolitan resident, Placer County also offers superb shopping, education and cultural opportunities. 

Spring is the time to get out of the house and explore the emerging new season. Rivers are raging and waterfalls cascading. Wildflowers paint a spectrum of colors along hiking trails and picnic areas.

Throughout Placer County communities host events designed for family fun.

Placer County is located in diverse Northern California, bordering Sacramento, Nevada and El Dorado Counties and the State of Nevada.  Over half of beautiful Placer County is National Forest and State Park property, offering wild and scenic rivers, breathtaking streams, valley views, and high mountain vistas.  Lower elevations include grasslands, Gold Rush era townsites and gently rolling hills.  Two major highways, Interstate 80 and State Highway 49, intersect at the City of Auburn. 

The western most edge of Placer County is a scant 100 feet above sea level.  The eastern portion of the county is home to the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range, with peaks towering above 9,000 feet.  Season temperatures vary widely according to elevation.