California - Gold County Area Attractions
The Gold Country region of California contains a number of ghost towns abandoned after the frenzy of the Gold Rush. Anyone interested in the history of this dynamic time will find much to see in such places as Angels Camp, Folsom and Jamestown.
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Alleghany, California
Alleghany was a gold camp as is one of the last few in California. The Sixteen-to-One Mine was located here.
Alleghany Mining Museum (Underground Gold Miners Musuem)
The Alleghany Mining Museum celebrates mining, which since 1855 has produced more than $90 million worth of gold. Visitors can explore the famous Original Sixteen to One Mine, a working underground gold mine.
Alleghany Mining Museum
Box 909
Alleghany, CA 95910-9998
United States
Box 909
Alleghany, CA 95910-9998
United States
Phone 1 (530) 287-3223
Fax 1 (530) 287-3455
Hours
May 27 to September 3
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Angels Camp, California
The City of Angels, better known as Angels Camp (pop. 3,000) is located on Golden Chain Highway 49 near Highway 4 east of Stockton.
The town was founded in 1849 by George Angel and is famous as the home of Mark Twain's "Jumping Frog of Calaveras County".
The town was founded in 1849 by George Angel and is famous as the home of Mark Twain's "Jumping Frog of Calaveras County".
Calaveras County Visitor Center
1211 South Main Street, Box 637
Angels Camp, CA 95222-9000
United States
1211 South Main Street, Box 637
Angels Camp, CA 95222-9000
United States
Phone 1 (209) 736-2580
Fax 1 (209) 736-2576
Angels Camp Museum
The Angels Camp Museum has displays of mining equipment as well as minerals and other artifacts from the Gold Rush. There is a large carriage house.
Hours
January 1 to February 28
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
March 1 to November 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Columbia, California
Columbia got its start during the Gold Rush. In 1850 there were about 6,000 miners living here. Columbia is a state park but because it is a town admission is free.
Columbia State Historic Park
(Gold Country Area)
About 4mi/6km north of Sonora, on the CA 49, lies the Columbia State Historic Park. Here you can admire the once famous gold-mining town in all its old, restored glory. Thousands of hopeful gold-miners lived here at the time. Although restoration is not yet complete you can already visit most of the houses, including an old school-house, a boarding-house, a fire station and a restaurant.
Columbia State Historic Park
11255 Jackson Street
Columbia, CA 95310-9400
United States
11255 Jackson Street
Columbia, CA 95310-9400
United States
Phone 1 (209) 532-0150
Fax 1 (209) 532-5064
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Downieville, California
Downieville is located 78mi/126km northeast of Sacramento. The town grew from a few cabins and now features a history of the area where gold nuggets up to 25 pounds were found.
Downieville - County Museum
The Downieville Museum is housed in a building built 1852, the museum features mining exhibits. It was a Chinese store in earlier times.
Hours
May 25 to October 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Downieville Foundry and Museum
The Downieville Foundry and Museum has historical artifacts including a collection of horse snowshoes.
Homewood - Tahoe Maritime Museum, California
The Tahoe Maritime Museum maintains watercraft and marine artifacts significant in Lake Tahoe's maritime history. Exhibits include early steamers, hydroplane races held in the 1950s and 60s, a 26 foot rowing shell, a square-transomed old-town canoe and a galvanized, hand-riveted fishing boat.
Tahoe Maritime Museum
5205 West Lake Boulevard
Homewood, CA 96140-0181
United States
5205 West Lake Boulevard
Homewood, CA 96140-0181
United States
Phone 1 (530) 525-9253
Fax 1 (530) 525-9283
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Parking
Pay
Jamestown, California
Jamestown began with the discovery of gold here in 1848. Hollywood has made use of the town in a variety of westerns including "High Noon" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid".
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
The site has been popular with Hollywood appearing in such films as "Unforgiven" as well as the television show "Petticoat Junction".
Steam train rides on a six mile track take 40 minutes and run from April through October.
Among the equipment is a steam locomotive built in 1922 for the Hutchinson Lumber Company and a Pullman Coach built in 1910 for the Southern Pacific's luxury service.
(Gold Country Area)
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park holds one of two short-line roundhouse complexes from the steam era. It has been in operation as a museum since 1971 and is part of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation.The site has been popular with Hollywood appearing in such films as "Unforgiven" as well as the television show "Petticoat Junction".
Steam train rides on a six mile track take 40 minutes and run from April through October.
Among the equipment is a steam locomotive built in 1922 for the Hutchinson Lumber Company and a Pullman Coach built in 1910 for the Southern Pacific's luxury service.
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
November 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Jamestown - Jimtown 1849 Gold Mining Camp
The Jimtown 1849 Gold Mining Camp offers tours which show visitors how the 49ers lived and worked. Visitors can watch as prospectors jump each other's claims. Mark Twain will put in an appearance as well. Visitors can pan for their own gold.
Gold Prospecting Adventures
Box 1040
Jamestown, CA 95327-1040
United States
Box 1040
Jamestown, CA 95327-1040
United States
Phone 1 (209) 984-4653
Fax 1 (209) 984-0711
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Johnsville, California
Johnsville is the home of ski racing which got its start nearby. In 1872 the town was established at the base of Eureka Peak.
Mokelumne Hill, California
Mokelumne Hill began in 1848 when gold was discovered in the Mokelumne River. Thousands rushed to the area to pan for gold.
Penn Valley - Museum of Ancient and Modern Art
The Penn Valley Museum of Ancient and Modern Art holds a collection of art from Europe and Africa.
Pine Grove, California
Pine Grove has a hotel which was originally built as a stop for the stage coach.
Pine Grove - Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park has 135 acres of trails, a reconstructed village and a museum.
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
14881 Pine Grove Volcano Road
Pine Grove, CA 95665-9779
United States
14881 Pine Grove Volcano Road
Pine Grove, CA 95665-9779
United States
Phone 1 (209) 296-7488
Fax 1 (209) 296-7528
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | Closed | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
San Andreas, California
Mexican settlers named San Andreas after St Andrew in 1848, during the Gold Rush. In 1866, San Andreas became the Seat of Calaveras County.
Calaveras County Visitor Center
1211 South Main Street, Box 637
Angels Camp, CA 95222-9000
United States
1211 South Main Street, Box 637
Angels Camp, CA 95222-9000
United States
Phone 1 (209) 736-2580
Fax 1 (209) 736-2576
San Andreas - Calaveras County Historical Museum
The Calaveras County Historical Museum was once the county jail and courthouse. There are mining and American Indian exhibits as well as a garden of native California plants and trees.
Calaveras County Historical Museum
Box 721
San Andreas, CA 95249
United States
Box 721
San Andreas, CA 95249
United States
Phone 1 (209) 754-1058
Fax 1 (209) 754-1086
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
San Andreas - California Caverns
The California Caverns in Cave City have been open since 1850. The caves feature miles of passages. The California Caverns is one of the largest public caves in the United States.
Hours
April 12 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
October 1 to November 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Sierra City - Kentucky Mine Museum, California
The Kentucky Mine Museum has displays from a hard rock gold mine including tools and samples. Other exhibits include Native American and Chinese artifacts. Picnic facilities are available.
Suisun City, California
Suisun City is located 36mi/58km southwest of Sacramento on the water. The Grizzly Island Wildlife Area offers hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Suisun City - Bay Area Western Railway Museum
The Bay Area Western Railway Museum gives visitors the opportunity to ride historic streetcars and interurban electric trains. Over 50 historic cars are on display, as well as railway exhibits, and the Streetcar Theater.
All values are in United States Dollars
Bay Area Western Railway Museum
5848 State Route 12
Suisun City, CA 94585-9641
United States
5848 State Route 12
Suisun City, CA 94585-9641
United States
Phone 1 (707) 374-2978
Fax 1 (707) 374-6742
Hours
May 29 to September 3
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 4 to May 28
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 10:30 | 10:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always opened on:
Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May )
American Independance Day (July 4)
Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Easter Monday - Christian (Apr 09)
American Independance Day (July 4)
Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Easter Monday - Christian (Apr 09)
Always closed on:
Martin Luther King's Birthday - USA (3rd Monday, January )
New Year's Day (January 1)
President's Day - USA (3rd Monday, February )
Columbus Day - USA (2nd Monday, October )
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
New Year's Day (January 1)
President's Day - USA (3rd Monday, February )
Columbus Day - USA (2nd Monday, October )
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
| Adult | $ 10.00 |
| Senior over 65 | $ 9.00 |
| Child 14 & under | $ 7.00 |
| Child 1 & under | FREE |
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
