Columbia State Historic Park (Columbia)
Known as the "Gem of the Southern Mines", More gold was found in Columbia than in any other California mine. It has yielded about $87,000,000 in gold. In 1854 and again in 1857 the town was almost completely destroyed by fire. When they rebuilt the town it was done in red brick. Large iron doors were put up on the fronts of the buildings to slow the spread of fire. Columbia is the best preserved gold rush town on the Mother Lode. It is a wonderful place to spend the day for whole family.

Hornitos (Hornitos)
“Gamblers, girls and roughnecks...they were a tough lot, the worst in the southern mines. They reverenced nothing but money, cards and wine...blood was upon nearly every doorstep and the sand was caked in it.” Today Hornitos is considered a ghost town, though there are a few people living there. Much of the town is in ruins. The old ruins are faithfully maintained by its residents, and they are working to restore some of the buildings. Famous outlaws are buried in the cemetery behind St. Catherines Catholic Church. Among the famous ruins are Ghirardelli's general store (he later moved to San Francisco with his chocolate factory), the jail, the schoolhouse, the Pacific Saloon, and the Cassaretto Store.

Jamestown (Jamestown)
Founded by Colonel George James, a San Francisco lawyer, Jamestown is today a busy little town. The downtown area features antique shops, ice cream parlors, and restaurants. The original buildings are still in use making this a wonderful destination, or a great stop on your way to Columbia. Jamestown is also the home of the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, with its steam engine train rides.

Mariposa (Mariposa)
Originally started by John C. Fremont, Mariposa was part of his land grant from Mexico, called Las Mariposas. The streets of Mariposa are named after his family. Today Mariposa is a thriving little town, the largest town in Mariposa County. It is home to museums, shops, restaurants, and hotels. Mariposa is a wonderful destination, or a great stop on your way to Yosemite.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (Coloma)
"I reached my hand down and picked it up; it made my heart thump, for I was certain it was gold. The piece was about half the size and shape of a pea. Then I saw another." -James Marshall. On January 24, 1848, James Marshall discovered gold on the American River. Though John Sutter (Marshall's boss) and James Marshall tried to keep the discovery a secret, stories of the find filtered out of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Though you will have a longer drive for this trip, it can easily be done in a day, including the return trip home, and it is well worth the drive.

Old Town Sacramento (Sacramento)
Although Sacramento wasn't a mining town, it supported the gold rush, and was supported by the gold rush. Today Old Town Sacramento is filled with shops, restaurants, candy stores, and museums. You can also ride a train pulled by a steam engine.