Today, this historic gold rush community, of some 10,000 people provides a wealth of history in its many old buildings and historical markers. Interesting places to visit include the Cary House Hotel, built in 1857, which continues to cater to travelers today.

The Placerville Hardware Store on downtown Main Street is the oldest hardware store west of the Mississippi, having continuously operated since 1852. Today’s buyer can still purchase gold panning equipment, knives, cast iron and more at this historic establishment, much like those miners did a more than a century and a half ago.

The Combellack-Blair House, an 1895 Queen Anne Mansion, now serves as a bed and breakfast inn and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Fountain-Tallman Museum at 524 Main Street is located in the original soda works building dating back to 1852. The museum displays artifacts and exhibits about Placerville's history.

The Placerville News Building, built in 1856, is still home to the Placerville News Company. The 1857 City Hall, as well as the 1863 Courthouse continue to stand, serving their original purpose.

Another important historic landmark that still remains on Main Street is the Bell Tower, standing as a monument to the city's volunteer firemen. The Bell, placed in the tower in the plaza in 1865, was used as an alarm system to call out the firefighters. This tower has watched most of Placerville's history pass beneath it for well over 100 years. It has been remodeled, relocated, and most recently, renovated. The history of the Bell Tower began back in 1856 when three fires that year in April, July and August, claimed most of Placerville's business section. The need for an alarm system to call the volunteer fire department was obvious, and a bell was ordered from England. Cast in 1860, the bell arrived in Placerville in 1865. The city gave it's approval to place the bell in a tower in the plaza. All this was done at a cost of $380.00. Today, the Bell Tower serves as a gathering place for parades, celebrations, and other Historic Main Street events.

A "must see” while visiting Placerville is Hangtown's Gold Bug Park & Mine, a 62 acre park that was once dotted with over 250 mines. Today, the park has been developed as an historical site, as well as a picnic and hiking area. The Gold Bug Mine still stands, including it stamp mill and can be toured.