Auburn is a lively Gold Rush–era town in the Sierra Nevada foothills with a walkable historic downtown, solid local dining and breweries, and immediate access to top outdoor recreation (trail running, mountain biking, and rafting on the American River), making it easy to enjoy multi-week stays without feeling stuck.
Within easy driving distance of Sacramento for big-city amenities and Lake Tahoe for weekend mountain escapes, you get both convenient services and abundant outdoor variety.