california gold rush tour
Gold was discovered in the western foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada Range in 1848, attracting hundreds of thousands of pioneers to the area in an attempt to strike it rich. Today, the area is popular for historical sightseeing, plus hiking, biking, and rafting.
Highlights
Send a message over a working telegraph line at the Capitol Mall in Old Sacramento.
Take the Living History tour at Empire Mine State Historic Park, where guides in period dress re-create scenes from the past.
Pan for gold and gems at the Hidden Treasure Gold Mine in Columbia State Historical Park.
BEST TIME TO GO
Summer temperatures can soar above 100°F (38°C) degrees, and winter can bring lots of snow, so June or September are your best bets for warm, dry weather.
CAMPGROUNDS
Inn Town Campground
9 Kidder Court, Nevada City, CA 95959. inntowncampground.com; dan@inntowncampground.com; 530-265-9900. $50 to $65. Pool, horseshoes, playground, walking trails, evening programs.
Inn Town Campground earns high marks for its unique location, which is deeply wooded but less than 2 miles (3.2km) from shopping, dining, and summer festivals in downtown Nevada City.
The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum is right next door, and train rides are available.
After hiking and exploring around the South Yuba River, head back to cook dinner at the community barbecue area, play a game of horseshoes, or take a dip in the pool.
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Gold Bug Mine in Placerville. |
James Wilson Marshall discovered the first flakes of gold in the America River in 1848, sparking the California gold rush.
49er RV Ranch
23223 Italian Bar Road, Columbia, CA 95310. 49rv.com; stay@49rv.com; 209-532-4978. $40 to $55. Horseshoes, recreation hall, planned activities, hotdog roast, live music.
The facilities at this campground might not be world class, but the enthusiastic customer service is. The property has a unique rustic charm that will inspire your California gold rush road trip. Be sure to grab a free hotdog on Friday night, and catch some live music around the community campfire. Free gold panning lessons also are available.
The drive into the campground is hilly, and some sites are hard to back into, so call ahead for best directions. The expert staff will put you at ease.
The location is great with many nearby activities. Check out Columbia State Historic Park, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, and Moaning Cavern. Bring comfortable shoes for the lovely Natural Bridges Hiking Trail. Black Oak Casino is also nearby.
Placerville KOA
4655 Rock Barn Road, Shingle Springs, CA 95682. koa.com/camp/Placerville; koa@koa-placerville.com; 530-676-2267. $50 to $70. Pool, bike rentals, snack bar.
This campground serves as a solid base camp for exploring California Gold Country and Old Town Sacramento. It’s located near many wineries, Red Hawk Casino is right up the road (the buffet is very good), and the staff can arrange for a shuttle to pick you up and bring you home when you want. The property is located on a highway, but other than road noise, there’s much to like.
The pool and hot tub are nice, and kids can enjoy mini-golf and bike rentals. They’ll also love the miniature goats in the petting zoo.
On Sundays, breakfast is served right at the campground, and it makes for a good time to share your gold rush travel notes with other campers.
The owners are kind and helpful and like meeting their guests.
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Sierra Nevada Range foothills. |
Many gold rush migrants, called 49ers, traveled historic Highway 49 to get to California.
RESTAURANTS
New Moon Cafe
203 York Street, Nevada City, CA 95959. thenewmooncafe.com; 530-265-6399. Lunch Tuesday to Friday 11:30 A.M. to 2 P.M.; dinner Tuesday to Sunday 5 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. $30 to $60. New American.
The menu at this upscale bistro in Nevada City changes seasonally to offer fresh and local ingredients. Organic salads feature roasted beets, grilled prawns, and candied walnuts. Small plates include the ravioli of the day, gnocchi, lamb, and pork belly. Full-size entrées highlight fresh, wild fish, duck, quail, and lamb.
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Columbia State Historic Park. |
The real economic beneficiaries of the gold rush were merchants, many of whom made fortunes outfitting the miners.
Old Town Smokehouse
1100 Front Street, Suite 140, Sacramento, CA 95814. oldtownsmokehouse.com; 916-492-9089. Monday 11 A.M. to 5 P.M.; Wednesday 11 A.M. to 3 P.M.; Thursday 11 A.M. to 5 P.M.; Friday to Sunday 11 A.M. to 8 P.M.; closed Tuesday. $10 to $20. Barbecue.
Don’t miss this gem of a storefront that specializes in smoked meats and seafood. Track it down, enjoy a delicious lunch, and take some smoked salmon back to your RV.
The tri tip sandwich on a brioche bun is a favorite, as is the smoked shrimp po’boy. Outdoor seating is available.
Columbia Kate’s Teahouse, Bakery and Boutique
22727 Columbia Street, Columbia, CA 95310. columbiakates.com; manager@columbiakates.com; 209-532-1885. Sunday to Thursday 11 A.M. to 4 P.M.; Friday and Saturday 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. $10 to $15. Sandwiches and pastries.
Stick with Columbia’s gold rush theme at this teahouse, located in a charming refurbished 1880s barn. The tables are named after real mining claims, and the staff is happy to share local lore.
The restaurant offers a simple pastry or a hearty lunch. Choose from a variety of traditional tea combinations, including Kate’s Tea, which comes with a pot of tea; a scone; a trio of cucumber, egg salad, and chicken salad sandwiches; a salad; and a macaroon. If you’re famished from all your gold-panning, try the more filling chicken pot pie, meatloaf, or savory bread pudding. Save room for cake, pie, and lemon bars—all sweets are homemade on-site daily.
ATTRACTIONS
Empire Mine State Historic Park
10791 Empire Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945. empiremine.org; empiremine@parks.ca.gov; 530-273-8522. 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Adults 17 and up $7; children 6 to 16 $3; 5 and under free; additional $2 fee for Cottage Living History tour.
Although you’re free to explore the grounds yourself, the guided tours bring the past to life at this historic mine. Take 45- to 60-minute tours of the cottage grounds, mine yard, or gardens. Better yet, join one of the Living History tours, during which docents in period costume portray figures from the past.
The grounds are the perfect setting for a picnic lunch.
Columbia State Historic Park
11255 Jackson Street, Columbia, CA 95310. visitcolumbiacalifornia.com; 209-588-9128. Town open 24 hours; most businesses operate 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Free town tours; prices for attractions vary.
This is a state park and also a fully functioning town with restaurants, saloons, shops, and attractions all centered on the gold rush theme. Many visitors find the activities and souvenirs refreshingly affordable for a tourist stop.
Arrange your schedule to make the daily 11 A.M. town tour led by knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers. Shop for handmade leather goods at Ebler’s Leather and Saddlery Emporium, and stock up on old-fashioned candies at Nelson’s Columbia Candy Kitchen. Parrott’s Blacksmith forges iron before your very eyes and will happily personalize a horseshoe with your name. Take a lesson and pan for gold at the Hidden Treasure Gold Mine.
Old Sacramento
Old Sacramento Visitor Center, 1002 2nd Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. oldsacramento.com; info@oldsacramento.com; 916-442-8575. Visitor center 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Old Sacramento is an eight-block section of the city located between Tower Bridge and I Street Bridge, home to clothing and jewelry boutiques, restaurants, and sweet shops. There’s also an abundance of historically themed museums, walking tours, carriage rides, and living history theater programs. The folks at the visitor center can help you pick from the many available options.
The California State Railroad Museum entertains visitors of all ages, offering historical exhibits, train rides, and a train playroom for children. The Wells Fargo History Museum is small but worth visiting to see gold rush–era artifacts. Go under the city with Old Sacramento Underground Tours, or take a Classic Coach carriage ride to see the sites from street level.
ITINERARIES
If you have 1 week …
Take the Cottage Living History tour at the Empire Mine State Historic Park and a guided tour of Columbia State Historic Park. Pan for gold at the Hidden Treasure Gold Mine. Visit the California State Railroad Museum, and take a ride on the train.
If you have 2 weeks …
All the above, plus hike the Hardrock Trails area and take the mine yard tour at Empire Mine State Historic Park. Shop in quaint downtown Nevada City. Visit the Wells Fargo History Museum. Whitewater raft on the American River, and bike along the American River Parkway. Take a day trip to South Lake Tahoe.
If you have 3 weeks …
All the above, plus fish for salmon and stripers in the Feather River outside Yuba City. Tour the Black Chasm Cavern outside Sacramento. Visit Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, where the gold rush began. Rappel down into Moaning Cavern. Take a day trip to Indian Grinding Rock State Park.