Any long-time resident of the valley has heard this question from outsiders: "How much snow did you get this year?" and that local resident will give the usual answer: None.

This is because the valley, contrary to appearances, is at a surprisingly low elevation, about 750 feet above sea level. Even that slight elevation, however, is enough to protect the valley from the dreary tule fog that plagues the Central Valley. Winters can be delightful, characterized by winter rains, frosty mornings and localized river mists that dissipate as the sun rises. Snow is rare, although occasionally a dusting of snow adds white to the surrounding hills.

Nearby Gold Hill has been nicknamed El Dorado County's "banana belt" because of its mild winter temperatures. Here orange and lemon groves thrive.

Summers are hot, although humidity is low so that the heat is fairly tolerable. Daytime temperatures typically are in the 90s (Fahrenheit) and will usually spike over 100 degrees for several weeks during the summer. Except for an occasional thunderstorm, little rain falls in the valley between June and October. Green hills turn to brown by June.

Spring and fall temperatures feature high daytime temperatures that typically range from the 60s to the 80s degrees F. Both spring flowers and fall foliage are spectacular. Nighttime frosts can linger into mid-March (occasionally, even into May). Rain falls in spring, but usually not as extensively as in winter.