El Dorado County, located in east-central California, encompasses 1,805 square miles of rolling hills and mountainous terrain. The County’s western boundary contains part of Folsom Lake, and the eastern boundary is also the California-Nevada State line. The County is topographically divided into two zones. The northeast corner of the County is in the Lake Tahoe basin, while the remainder of the County is in the “western slope,” the area west of Echo Summit. This landscape invites residents and tourists alike to enjoy outdoor recreation activities year-round. 

There are two municipalities within El Dorado County. The largest city in the County is the City of South Lake Tahoe, with a 2006 population estimate of 23,594. The City of Placerville, the County seat, is located 45 miles northeast of Sacramento, the State capital. The City of Placerville has a 2006 estimated population of 10,171. The remainder of the County’s 144,144 residents lives outside of the two incorporated areas.