The County of El Dorado - Local Government El Dorado County is one of the most scenic areas in California, extending from Folsom Lake and surrounding foothills, through pine-covered Sierra Nevada Range to Lake Tahoe at the Nevada border. The area’s beauty is matched by the varied recreational opportunities including skiing, boating, river rafting, hiking, fishing and camping. More than half the County’s 1,805 square mile area consists of National Forest and other recreational areas. The County’s 10,000 foot mountain peaks, 200 lakes and 682 miles of rivers make the area ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. The west side of the County includes charming Gold Rush communities. U.S. Highway 50, a major all-season route over the Sierra Nevada Range, passes through the center of the County, crossing Echo Summit at 7,400 feet as it enters the spectacular Tahoe Basin, the other major geographic area of the County. The County features a diversity of living styles including country and executive homes, rural estates, view properties, homes with nearby golf courses, and airparks. The sale prices of homes average from $170,000 to $275,000 with estate homes starting at $500,000. Quality education is available with K-12 schools, the Placerville Campus of Cosumnes River College, and nearby California State University at Sacramento.