The best things to do in Ione, CA: tour haunted Preston Castle, stroll downtown, taste at local wineries, and explore Pardee Reservoir. Your 2026 Ione guide.
Preston Castle: the reason everyone comes
The Preston School of Industry, better known as Preston Castle, is the Romanesque fortress you can see from Highway 104 - and it is the single most compelling reason to visit Ione. Built in the 1890s as a reform school, the castle sat abandoned for decades before preservationists stepped in, which is why it looks like something from a gothic novel. Guided tours run regularly and cover the architecture, the school's strange history, and the ghost stories that made it a paranormal hotspot. Book ahead on weekends; tours sell out, especially the evening haunted ones.
Downtown Ione: saloons, sweets, and shops
After the castle, downtown Ione rewards a slow wander. The Blue Stone Public House pours local beer in a historic building, and Don Luis Mexican Restaurant is the kind of beloved local spot visitors stumble into and then talk about for weeks. Save room for Ione Sweets, the ice cream and candy shop that anchors Main Street's sweet tooth. Dee's Gifts and Decor is worth a browse for souvenirs that are actually made by local hands. It is a small downtown - you can see it all in an hour - but it has real character.
Wineries on the edge of town
Ione sits at the western gateway to Amador wine country, and two wineries make easy additions to your day. Domenico Winery Amador pours Italian-style wines just outside town, and Matthew Gibson Winery offers a more intimate tasting experience. Both are far less crowded than the Plymouth tasting rooms on a Saturday, which makes Ione a smart base if you want wine without the weekend crush. Pair a morning castle tour with an afternoon tasting and you have the bones of a perfect day.
Get outside: reservoir days and rail bikes
Pardee Reservoir, ten minutes south of town, is one of the prettiest and least crowded lakes in the county - great for kayaking, fishing, and picnics with almost no boat traffic. For something truly different, Rail Explorers Amador Division runs pedal-powered rail bike tours on historic tracks outside Ione; it is equal parts workout and sightseeing. Howard Park in town covers the basics with picnic areas and a playground if you have kids in tow. Ione works best as a slow day, not a rushed one.
Stay the night at the Ione Hotel
If the castle's ghost stories get under your skin, lean in and stay over. The Ione Hotel is a landmark in its own right, sitting on Main Street in a building with its own long history. Staying the night also lets you do the smart two-day version: Preston Castle and downtown on day one, then Plymouth's Shenandoah Valley wineries - just 20 minutes east - on day two. Check current room availability ahead of time, since it is a small property that fills up on event weekends.