Tourism

Ione's Gold Country location provides a convenient central point for exploring the local countryside. Ione is surrounded by gently rolling hills, cattle ranches and farms, and fish-filled lakes. Within the city of Ione itself, there are lots of activities, things to do and places to stay.

"Top Ten" things that visitors like to do: 

  1. Take the historic Ione walking/driving tour, with views of Preston Castle
  2. Golf at Castle Oaks
  3. Wine taste at twenty Amador County wineries, starting with the Clos du Lac Cellars & Greenstone Winery right in Ione
  4. Catch trout at Lake Amador or Lake Camanche
  5. Ride bikes through the scenic countryside
  6. Buy lunch or dinner fixings at the local grocery store then picnic at Howard Park
  7. Stay at the Heirloom B&B or the Ione Hotel
  8. Have drinks in the nineteenth century Golden Star Saloon
  9. Stroll Main Street, visit the shops and businesses , and dine at a variety of Main Street restaurants and cafes
  10. Visit the park behind City Hall and see Iron Ivan

Lodging:

Ione offers two historic lodgings:

Ione Hotel - Twisted
Fork Restaurant

25 W. Main Street, P.O. Box 757, Ione CA 95640

(209) 274-6082

The Ione Hotel was originally built in the early 1850's. In 1988, a fire destroyed the building. The hotel has been extensively renovated and has beautiful mahogany accents, chandeliers, a ninteenth century saloon and a restaurant featuring Prime Rib, Steak & Lobster, Steak Diane, and pasta specials.

 

  

The 14 antique filled guest rooms are all on the second floor, with access to the front and rear balconies. All rooms have air conditioning, private baths and large showers.

The Bridal Suite features a mahogany canopy bed and a clawfoot tub.

Some guests claim to have enjoyed the "hauntspitality" of a ghost named George in Room 13...

  

Bridal Suite at Ione Hotel


The Heirloom Bed & Breakfast

214 Shakeley Lane P.O. Box 322 Ione, CA 95640

(209) 274-4468

Toll-free: 888-628-7896

Host: Sherry Scagliola

Down a country lane to an expansive private acre and a half garden setting, a beautiful place for weddings. The Heirloom Inn is a brick two story petite Colonial mansion, circa 1863, with four seasonally themed guest rooms, plus Carriage House and cottage accommodations.

  

The Heirloom Inn is well appointed with verandas, fireplaces, and heirloom antiques. Guests enjoy a gourmet breakfast and gracious hospitality.

The large living room holds a white fireplace, soft and traditional couches and chairs, tall windows, high ceilings, many architectural highlights, and a rosewood piano that once belonged to the famed entertainer Lola Montez.

Guests of the Heirloom Inn enjoy a gourmet breakfast and gracious hospitality.

Website: theheirloominn.com

     

Wine Tasting:

Amador County is home to more than twenty wineries, all within an easy half hour drive from Ione.

Start your tour of the fertile Amador County vineyards, famous for Zinfandel and other varietals, at Clos Du Lac Cellars & Greenstone Winery, right in Ione at the intersection of Highway 88 and Jackson Valley Road.

  

The French styled winery is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 am-4:00 pm.

Phone: (209) 274-2238

Originally the Greenstone Winery, the new owner has started a label under the name "Clos du Lac Cellars", which loosely translated means "Enclosed Vineyard by the Lake". Sure enough, there is a lake (well, a duck pond with its very own "Duck Crossing").

The tasting room, underneath a gnarled oak, is reminiscent of a French Chateau.

  

 

Inside, the sunny high ceiling tasting room is well appointed with golden walls, artwork by Henri Paerl, beautiful windows, gleaming hardwood floors, a resident cat, and an oak tasting bar where several premium wines can be sampled.

 
Copyright 2005-2008 City of Ione.