Columbia State Historic Park

If you want to travel back to the 1850s to see what the majority of California looked like during the Gold Rush, look no further. Columbia State Historic Park is a fully-restored glimpse at the business district of this once-thriving gold-mining town. A community that was once California's second largest city! Wander around and imagine what the buildings were like when prostitutes, gamblers, gold seekers and thieves populated the streets. Other activities include riding at 100-year-old stagecoach, panning for gold, eating ice cream, spending a night in the haunted Fallon Hotel, sipping whiskey at the saloon, or popping into the museum. The ...

If you want to travel back to the 1850s to see what the majority of California looked like during the Gold Rush, look no further. Columbia State Historic Park is a fully-restored glimpse at the business district of this once-thriving gold-mining town. A community that was once California's second largest city! Wander around and imagine what the buildings were like when prostitutes, gamblers, gold seekers and thieves populated the streets. Other activities include riding at 100-year-old stagecoach, panning for gold, eating ice cream, spending a night in the haunted Fallon Hotel, sipping whiskey at the saloon, or popping into the museum. The second Saturday of each month features Gold Rush Days, a living history event. There are a couple of souvenir shops and a decent restaurant in town as well.

About the Expert

Michele Bigley is the author of Northern California: An Explorer's Guide and Great Destinations Kauai from Countryman Press.