On January 24, 1848, James Wilson Marshall, a carpenter from New Jersey, discovered gold flakes in the American River near Coloma, California. This discovery sparked one of the most significant events shaping American history in the first half of the 19th century. As news of the find spread, thousands of hopeful prospectors traveled by sea and land to San Francisco and its surroundings. Within just two years, California’s population had grown 100-fold. During the Gold Rush, the area yielded precious metal worth $2 billion.
Today, you can visit some amazing places that have preserved the spirit of that era. You will learn about the history of mining, descend into mines, and even find some gold.
1. Columbia State Historic Park
This park preserves about 30 buildings constructed during the California Gold Rush. Here, people in historical costumes offer tours, sell handmade sweets, and engage in crafts of that era.
Ride an authentic stagecoach, order a cold, locally-made sarsaparilla in the saloon, and feel the heat of a working blacksmith’s forge.
The town even sounds authentic—cars are not allowed here, although you will hear the clip-clop of horse hooves.
Website: parks.ca.gov
2. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
The history of the California Gold Rush centers around Coloma. It was here that James W. Marshall spotted the gleam of precious metal in the river silt. The park features a magnificent museum, outdoor exhibits, gold panning lessons, tours, and living history days on the second Saturday of each month.
Visit Sutter’s Mill, the Marshall Monument, and the blacksmith shop, where volunteers in historical costumes make various iron items, ropes, and candles right before your eyes.
Afterward, explore the leaf-covered trails along the river and find a shady spot for a picnic.
Website: marshallgold.com
3. Old Sacramento
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the bustling Gold Rush era in the restored Old Sacramento, a national historic landmark spanning 11 hectares. Stroll along the wooden boardwalks beside the shops, taverns, and restaurants of this district.
There are also excellent museums here, including the California Railroad Museum and the California Museum, which we have previously discussed.
You can take a horse-drawn carriage ride, go on a tour to learn the underground secrets of the area, or ride a historic steam train on the Sacramento Southern Railroad.
Website: oldsacramento.com
4. Moaning Caverns
The famous cave in the heart of the Golden State got its name from the moaning sound echoing from it, as if luring people in. It’s so vast that it could hold the Statue of Liberty inside!
The cave was discovered by gold seekers in 1851, but it turned out that prehistoric people had lived there—human bones over 12,000 years old were found.
Descend the spiral staircase or tackle the 165-foot drop from the top of the chamber to the bottom, where you will find beautiful rock formations sparkling with moisture. For the fearless explorers (be prepared to crawl on your belly), there’s a 2.5-hour adventure tour that takes you into the deepest passages of the cave, located about 280 feet below the main chamber floor, through narrow corridors with names like “Meat Grinder,” “Pancake Squeeze,” and “Birth Canal.”
Website: moaningcaverns.com
5. Empire Mine State Historic Park
Operating for over 100 years, the Empire Mine in Grass Valley was one of the richest gold mines in the state, yielding $5.8 million worth of gold before closing in 1956. Three tours are available here.
The first is a tour of the estate of William Bourn Jr., who once owned the mine. The owner spared no expense in creating a two-story stone citadel modeled after the noble estates of 19th-century England, with mahogany interiors and leaded glass windows. The house is filled with many interesting items brought by his travel-loving wife.
The second is a garden tour. Bourn also invested heavily in landscaping. You can visit the gardens and learn more about the flowers planted there.
Finally, the third is a mine tour (more precisely, a tour of its entrance). Start by spending time in the visitor center to learn about one of California’s oldest, largest, deepest, longest, and richest gold mines. To grasp the scale of the mine, look at the scale model depicting a 5-square-mile network of mines, and then step outside to see the tiny entrance to the staggering 367-mile underground labyrinth.
Website: parks.ca.gov