No matter what time of year it is or what type of adventure you’re after, El Dorado County in Northern California is a fantastic place to explore. You especially can’t go wrong with a long drive down its barn-lined backroads, and that’s exactly what you’ll experience when you take on the official Quilt Trail that runs right through the county. Spend the day hunting down dozens of hand-painted square blocks that can be found on barns, fences, and businesses for a unique experience you’ll never want to end!
There's truly an adventure for everybody in Northern California—even quilt enthusiasts! The concept of "Quilt Trails" started in Ohio nearly 20 years ago and has since spread across the nation, even as far as our very own El Dorado County.
The El Dorado County Quilt Trail Project started in 2014. Linda George, the project's founder, was inspired by the Quilt Trail movement that was spreading across the country, and she decided that El Dorado County was the perfect place for such a thing.
The project teamed up with the El Dorado County Farm Trails Association and six years later there are now 23 quilt designs that you can seek out. Mounted on everything from old barns to vibrant gardens, finding these painted designs makes for an undeniably charming adventure.
You won't be seeking out actual fabric quilts on the Quilt Trail, but hand painted works that are known as "barn quilts." Barn quilts are large squares of painted wood that are meant to look like a single quilt block. They are used to adorn and complement the structure they're placed on
Barn quilts are also quite big (typically around eight feet tall and wide) so they can be seen from far away. The concept of them has been around for hundreds of years and farmers would often choose a particular pattern to reflect a meaning that's personal to them.
Driving along the road, spotting one of these barn quilts is bound to add some color and charm to your road trip. They can be found all over El Dorado County, including Placerville, Camino, Pollock Pines, and surrounding communities. A list of businesses who have participated can be found on the Quilt Trail Project's website.
We can't think of a dreamier way to explore all of the farms, ranches, orchards, and wineries that make up El Dorado County than by traversing the Quilt Trail. If you're looking for a unique way to spend a few hours in this beautiful region of Northern California, be sure to keep it mind!
