38°53′14″N121°00′53″W / 38.88722°N 121.01472°W /38.88722; -121.01472
Cool | |
|---|---|
  Cool Location in California Show map of California Cool Cool (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:38°53′14″N121°00′53″W / 38.88722°N 121.01472°W /38.88722; -121.01472 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | El Dorado County |
| Elevation | 1,532 ft (467 m) |
Cool, formerly known asCave Valley, is a smalltown inEl Dorado County,California,[1] about 40 miles (64 km) fromSacramento, the state capital. Cool is at an elevation of 1,532 feet (467 m).[1]
It is contained within thearea code 530 with aZIP code of 95614.
It is built onState Route 49 betweenAuburn andPlacerville on a hill at an elevation more than 1,500 feet (450 m) in an area full of trees, trails,camping, and other recreational activities.
The temperature ranges from 75° to 105 °F (23 °C to 41 °C) in the summer and 25° to 50 °F (-4 °C to 10 °C) in the winter.
According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, Cool has ahot-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps.[2]
The first post office was established in 1885.[3] Penobscot Public House, established in 1850, was a way station and stage coach stop during the days of the Gold Rush. The Penobscot Ranch still exists today. Cool, California, is a small unincorporated community located in El Dorado County in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Its history dates back to the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s, when it was part of a thriving region of mining towns. The town was originally known as "Cave Valley" due to nearby limestone caves but was renamed "Cool" in the 1880s, reportedly after a Methodist preacher named Aaron Cool. While mining declined over time, Cool remained a quiet rural community. Today, it is known for its scenic location near the American River Canyon and serves as a gateway to outdoor activities, including hiking and horseback riding on the Western States Trail. The community retains a rustic charm and a strong connection to its Gold Rush heritage.[4]
TheWay Too Cool 50 Kilometer run starts and ends in the town in early March. It follows sections of the Western States Trail with more than 4000 ft (1200+ m) elevation change along its 31-mile length.
In thestate legislature, Cool is inthe 1st senatorial district, represented byRepublican Megan Dahle,[5] andthe 5th Assembly district, represented byRepublican Joe Patterson.[6]
Federally, Cool is inCalifornia's 4th congressional district, represented byDemocrat Mike Thompson.[7]
TheBlack Oak Mine Unified School District serves Cool. Cool currently has just one school –Northside STEAM School – catering to elementary students (TK–6).[8] Residents are zoned toGolden Sierra Junior Senior High School for grades 7–12.[9]
Until 2007 there was also another K–8 school in Cool, the Cool Christian School.[10]
Pacific Historian 10 (Summer 1966 pages 19–42): Goodness, Gold, and Gold, The California Mining Career of Peter Y. Cool 1851-52.
Municipalities and communities ofEl Dorado County, California,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities |
| |
| Former settlements | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This CDP also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
