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Gold Country
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History comes alive in the Gold Country, at the foot of the Sierras about 150 miles east of San Francisco. Highway 49 traverses the rolling region, linking historic towns that recall the Gold Rush era. The gold is gone but the past lives on in settlements still lined with boarded sidewalks, cluttered antique stores, and gingerbread mansions - many turned into exquisite bed and breakfast hotels. It all started in 1848 when James Marshall discovered a sparkling nugget at Coloma, preserved within Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. The past really comes alive in Columbia: the entire town is a historical park, restored to its original appearance, right down to townsfolk in period costume. You can even tour a mine at Empire Mine Historic Park preserves. The giant sequoias of Calaveras Big Trees State Park will leave you awe-struck. In summer, rafting the American River provides the ultimate combination of beauty and thrill. In May, visitors hop on down to Angels Camp for the annual frog jumping contest at the place where Mark twain dreamed up his first story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." And any time of year is good for sampling the wines of Amador County.
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Christopher P. Baker has authored guidebooks to Costa Rica, California, and various Caribbean islands for Frommer's, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic, among others.
Christopher P. Baker has authored guidebooks to Costa Rica, California, and various Caribbean islands for Frommer's, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic, among others.
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Gold Country Facts
- Location:
- The region contains the San Francisco Bay Area, the state capital, Sacramento; as well as the substantial natural beauty of the redwood forests, the northern California coast, the Big Sur coastline area, the Sierra Nevada including Yosemite Valley and Lak
- Wikipedia:
- Gold Country
- Wikitravel:
- Gold Country
Gold Country Must See/Do
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Gold Country See It Next Time
- Nothing disappoints
When to Visit Gold Country
Any time of year. Summer is warm and sunny.
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Gold Country Events
- July-August: Independence Day Concerts & Fireworks - Yreka, High Sierra Musical Festival - Quincy, Chester Wild West Rodeo - Chester, Annual Ruth Rodeo, Trinity County Fair
- November-December: Yreka Holiday Parade - Yreka , Mountain Magic Christmas - Weaverville, Lighted Christmas Parade - Redding, NBC New Year's Eve Bull Ride - Red Bluff
- March-April: Gold Nugget Days, Annual Red Bluff Round Up, Chocolate Festival - Weaverville , Aleutian Goose Festival, Cresent City Mast Ships
- September-October: Rails to Trails Festival - Susanville, Miner's Fair & Old West Celebration, Antique Street Fair - Red Bluff , Blues By The River Festival - Redding, Taste of Chico
- January-February: Salmon Spawing, Huun Huur Tu, Winterfest Snowmobile Events - Chester, Lake Davis Sled Dog Races - Portola
- May-June: Feather Fiesta Days Festival - Oroville , Whiskeytown Regatta, Shasta Art Fair & Fiddle Jamboree
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