Explore the Gold Rush at Columbia State Historic Park
With throwback charm and a treasure trove of historic artifacts, Columbia State Historic Park presents the Gold Rush in living, breathing color. Costumed docents do more than lead tours of this carefully preserved mother lode town in Tuolumne County—the state's second largest city at the peak of the Gold Rush; they actually live and work here in a …

Eureka! After California's Heavy Rains, Gold Seekers Are Giddy.
The mother lode of winter storms has sent water blasting through rock crevices and rivers in the Sierra Nevada, leading to more glittering discoveries by prospectors.

11 Must-See California Gold Rush Towns
The California Gold Rush of 1848 set the scene for many of the top Golden State destinations today, with the rapidly emerging mining industry scattering boomtowns all throughout the Sierra Nevada mountains. Want to experience gold fever for yourself? Check out one of these beautiful gold rush towns in California on your next vacation!

Gold Rush Ghost Town
By the time the last mine closed in 1942, Bodie had produced over $30 million in gold. After suffering a devastating fire in 1932, what remained of the town was turned into a 500-acre State Historic Park in 1962 and State Historic Landmark (341). The California Legislature designated it California's official State Gold Rush Ghost Town in 2002.

How California dreaming is bringing new life to gold rush towns …
In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Tuolumne County offers an introduction to the natural wonders of California, alongside a wealth of quirky Gold Rush towns and Hollywood film sets ...

10 Gold Rush Towns To See On A California Highway 49 …
The California Gold Rush began in 1848 and attracted over 300,000 people to California to find gold, resulting in the building of mining towns.

13 Lively California Gold Rush Towns You Must Visit
Looking for the best Gold Rush or Old West towns to visit in California? Come get your fill of Gold Country history at these top 7 must-visit towns.

Discover the Town of Mariposa, California
Right at the gates of Yosemite, the town of Mariposa, CA is a perfectly preserved Gold Rush town nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Filled with Wild West landmarks, nationally recognized museums and historic hotels, Mariposa, California is a perfect place to explore, adventure and stay.

Mariposa, CA: Exploring the Historic Gold Rush City
Mariposa is a historic, gold rush era town built in the mid-1800s that you pass by when you take the El Portal route in Yosemite National Park. I hadn't spent much time here, but on a recent trip to the park, I took a half day to explore …

Jackson California – Western Mining History
Read about it at The California Gold Rush. California Gold "Where to Find Gold in California" looks at the density of modern placer mining claims along with historical gold mining locations and mining district descriptions to determine areas of high gold discovery potential in California. Read more: Where to Find Gold in California.

15 Best Gold Rush Towns in California to Visit This Year
Many historic gold mining towns in California celebrate the gold rush era with living history reenactments and unique gold rush festivals. If pioneer history isn't your jam, these California gold rush towns are still lovely spots for a road trip, with plenty of …

California gold rush towns are booming again. Here's what …
California gold rush towns are booming again. Here's what to see and do. In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, former mining hamlets appeal to hikers, historians, and foodies.

13 Abandoned Ghost Towns in California: Gold Rush Boom Towns …
California was a major center of activity during the Gold Rush in the mid-1800s. Thousands upon thousands of people rushed into California in search of gold — both to make their personal fortune and help themselves to establish generational wealth for their families. While the Gold Rush itself ended fairly quickly, the boom and bust ...
The California Gold Rush | American Experience | PBS
The discovery of gold in1848 unleashed the largest migration in United States history and drew people from a dozen countries to form a multi-ethnic society in California.

28 Top California Gold Rush Towns Near San Francisco
Exploring the Gold Rush towns near San Francisco Bay Area is an exciting and educational experience for anyone interested in California's rich history. The top 27 Gold Rush towns in California offer a unique glimpse into the state's past, from the bustling city of Sacramento to the small settlement of Volcano.

12 Best Gold Rush Towns in California You Must Visit (+ Map …
Discover the best gold rush towns in California: Sutter Creek, Nevada City, Sonora, Murphys and more! Explore CA Gold Country with our picks!

California gold rush towns you should visit
11 magical California gold rush towns you should absolutely visit. By Sharon Boorstin. Nov. 10, 2022 8:19 AM PT. For Subscribers. Living in a state known for sprawling cities and crowded...

Who were the original 49ers? The true story of the California Gold Rush
A gold miner pans for gold in California, 1885. The state's gold rush only lasted a few years, but some have continued to seek gold there to this day.

17 California Gold Rush Towns
In the mid-1800s, fortune-seekers flocked to Northern California, creating vibrant settlements in the Sierra Nevada foothills. These historic towns, nestled in picturesque landscapes, bear the legacy of the Gold Rush era, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of prospectors and prosperity.

Gold Rush Towns in California: The 6 Best Field Trips
Step back in time and discover some of the best-preserved Gold Rush towns in California. Learn about their history and find out which ones are worth a visit!

Gold in California [ushistory]
Gold rush towns sprung up in California like weeds in the years following 1849. This site includes a clickable map of what became known as "Highway 49." Each town has information on its history and some tips for the intrepid traveler looking to re-live the rush.

10 California Gold Rush Towns Worth Visiting
This Northern California road trip itinerary includes the best places to see, eat and stay in ten California gold rush towns.

Three California Gold-Rush Towns Worth Visiting
The 19th century has a way of working its way into the most casual of conversations here in Columbia, California, one of a of gold-rush towns— Sonora and Jamestown are the...

Columbia California – Western Mining History
Described as "a living gold rush town featuring the largest single collection of existing gold rush-era structures in the state", Columbia is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Gold Rush history or historic buildings. ... presumable to join the California Gold Rush. The engine eventually made it's way to Columbia in the ...

The California Gold Rush – Western Mining History
The California Gold Rush was the most significant event in the history of the settlement of the western frontier. ... will command $10 each, and by taking them to the gold regions, yield a heavy profit by selling again. There is not in town one new shovel for sale, perhaps not a tin cup or pan. A boat requires four days to go from here to ...

In a California gold rush town, some Black families are …
In a tiny town where the California gold rush began, Black families are seeking restitution for land that was taken from their ancestors to make way for a state park now frequented by fourth ...

Visit Columbia, California & Columbia State Historic Park
Learn about California Gold Rush History first hand in Columbia. This historic town has historic shops, inns & restaurants to take you back in time. Enjoy gold panning, candy making and old fashioned candle making.

Historic Gold Rush Towns in California
Uncover the allure of historic Gold Rush towns in California. Keyesville in the Sierra Nevada mountains played a pivotal role during the Gold Rush era, preserving its history through mining artifacts.

Gold Prospecting in California: 8 Best Locations & Laws
This historic gold rush town is steeped in history and offers visitors a glimpse into California's past. With gold pan rentals and guided gold panning tours available, Columbia has become a mecca for prospectors looking to strike it rich.

California Gold Rush | Definition, History, & Facts …
Overview of the California Gold Rush, the rapid influx of fortune seekers in California that began after gold was found at Sutter's Mill on the American River in early 1848. The Gold Rush reached its …

12 Gold Rush Towns in California for an Amazing Family …
Gold rush towns in California are popular family destinations for giant sequoias, rushing rivers, historic towns, and yes, gold panning.
