California Gold Rush Towns

There's gold in them there hills! California's Gold Rush is one of the most notable events of the 19th century. Word of the discovery traveled quickly, and people from all over the country made dangerous treks across the United States in the hopes of striking it rich, settling in to California Gold Rush Towns.

In January of 1848, gold flecks were discovered at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. This discovery sparked the California Gold Rush as we know it, but did you know that there was an earlier discovery? In 1842, Francisco Lopez made the first documented gold discovery in California while digging up wild onions in Placerita Canyon. There under an oak tree, he dug up an onion with gold flecks clinging to the roots. You can visit the location today at the historical landmark, Oak Of The Golden Dream in Newhall, California.

As people flooded into the state in search of gold, boom towns began popping up, and mines were created. But by 1855, the dream of striking rich had disappeared for many, as did the gold. The gold rush was over. The boom towns lingered for a bit, but many people moved on to new places and cities where bigger and better opportunities were available.

Throughout the state, there are a number of California Gold Rush Towns that are now just historic markers or ghost towns. And some are still in business today! Here, we'll share some of the best California Gold Rush Towns, plus some places where you can still go looking for gold.

California Gold Rush towns at a glance

The Best California Gold Rush Towns

Angels Camp

Angels Camp was first settled in 1848 and by 1849, had grown to 300 miners. Although its early placer mining wasn't as rich as in other camps, it was a good trading center, and that kept the town in business. A second boom came when gold-bearing quartz was discovered. The town still has its gold rush era charm, and it hosts an annual frog jump. Mark Twain wrote "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" based on a story he heard at the Angels Hotel in 1865, which is why Angels Camp is sometimes called Frogtown.

Why go: Mark Twain history, a big wagon collection and gold panning in one easy stop on Highway 49.

Angels Camp Highlights

• Angels Camp Museum: See 36 restored wagons and carriages, gold rush history and an outdoor frog jump exhibit, and try gold panning (included with admission). Open daily 10am to 4pm (last entry 3pm); adults $15.
• Altaville Schoolhouse: One of the best preserved schoolhouses in the state, built in 1858 of brick, and was in use until 1950.
• Greenhorn Creek Trail: Hiking trail that passes historic landmarks and points of interest, including early settler sites and mining remains.
• Angels Hotel: Historic site where Mark Twain visited
• Jumping Frog Jubilee: Held the third weekend in May at Frogtown (2027 date TBA)
• Angels Camp Historic Walking Tour & Driving Map

Auburn

Gold was discovered in Auburn in 1848, with large deposits located at Rich Flat and near Old Town. Auburn was the site of the first gold discovery in Placer County. Auburn was well located, connecting Sacramento to gold camps, and had a direct route to San Francisco. Auburn became the county seat for Placer County in 1851. Later, when surrounding boomtowns were abandoned, Auburn continued to thrive.

Why go: Old Town Auburn packs free museums, a Chinese temple and gold rush streets into a walkable few blocks right off I-80.

Auburn Highlights

• Old Town Auburn: Visit Old Town Auburn for unique shopping destinations, historic sites, museums, casual and fine dining, and a number of services.
• Old Town Auburn Post Office: The historic Old Town post office ended mail service in 2023, and the building now serves as a history and welcome center.
• Gold Rush Museum: Captures local history of the Gold Rush Era and features an indoor gold panning stream, mining tunnel exhibit, operating stamp mill, and many hands-on exhibits. Located at 601 Lincoln Way; open Thursday to Sunday, noon to 4pm, and admission is free.
• Bernhard Museum Complex: Established in 1851 as Traveler's Rest Hotel, the Bernhard House is a preserved living history museum featuring a carriage barn with 19th century wagons, a furnished Victorian era farmhouse, the original gold rush era inn, a restored winery that dates back to the 1870s, and more. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 1pm to 4pm; free.
• Gold Country Medical History Museum: Located on the site of the first Placer County Hospital established in 1855, the restored Victorian home turned museum features medical-themed exhibits that include tools and artifacts used in the medical and dental fields from the mid 1800s to mid 1900s. You can even see some of the quackery devices, glass eyeballs, and an authentic doctor's buggy. Open Saturdays, 11am to 3pm.
• Joss House: The original Joss House served as a place of Buddhist and Confucianist worship, a place to educate children, and a hostel for travelers. It is a historic monument that preserves the legacy of Chinese contributions during the Gold Rush era. Open Saturdays, 10:30am to 2:30pm.

Bodie Ghost Town

Bodie Ghost Town is a California State Historic Park that preserves a genuine California gold rush town. At its peak, Bodie had a population of about 8,000 people. It was known as an area with one of the richest gold strikes in the state, but was also one of the toughest most lawless mining camps. Bodie was an active town during the 1860s and 1870s, reaching boomtown status in 1877. The town had about 2,000 structures. But by 1881, Bodie's popularity was on a fast downhill and by 1886, only about 1,500 people remained. Fires in 1892 and 1932 destroyed most of the town. Bodie became a State Historic Park in 1962. What remains has been preserved for visitors to explore in a state of arrested decay, with many interiors still as they were left. Plan ahead: there are no services in the park, metal detectors aren't allowed, and in winter the road is usually reachable only by skis, snowshoes or snowmobile. Park hours are 9am to 6pm in summer and 9am to 4pm in winter. For more abandoned mining camps, see our guide to California ghost towns.

Why go: You can walk the streets of a real gold mining town that was left largely as its last residents abandoned it.

Bodie Highlights

• The Standard Mill
• Bodie Methodist Church
• The Sawmill
• Bodie Jail
• Stuart Kirkwood Livery Stable
• Bodie Bank
• Sam Leon Bar & Barber Shop
• Bodie Firehouse
• Boone Store & Warehouse
• Bodie Schoolhouse
• Swazey Hotel
• Dechambeau Hotel and I.O.O.F. Building
• Miners’ Union Hall and Museum

Coloma

Coloma is where it all started. In January 1848, James Marshall spotted gold in the tailrace of the sawmill he was building with John Sutter on the South Fork of the American River. About 70 percent of the town is now Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, so the tree-lined streets are quiet, and the park covers the discovery site, gold rush buildings and the story of the Nisenan people who lived in the valley first.

Why go: Stand at the spot that set off the Gold Rush, then try panning in the same river.

Coloma Highlights

• Gold Discovery Museum and Visitor Center: Exhibits on the discovery, the miners who came from around the world, and the Native people of the valley. Open daily 9am to 5pm from March through October and 9am to 4pm from November through February. Day use is $10 per car.
• Replica of Sutter's Mill and the discovery site on the South Fork of the American River
• Marshall Monument: California's first historic monument and James Marshall's final resting place, with a statue pointing to the discovery site
• More than 20 historic buildings, including mining, Chinese store and schoolhouse exhibits
• Gam Saan Trail: A 2.5-mile trail linking Henningsen Lotus Park with the state park, honoring the Chinese forty-niners
• Gold Discovery Tour and gold panning lessons (see Where To Find Gold below)

Columbia State Historic Park

Columbia State Historic Park was once known as the Gem of the Southern Mines, the town produced a fortune in gold between the 1850s and the 1870s, and by 1853 it was one of the largest cities in California. Like Auburn, the town of Columbia managed to survive the Gold Rush era and became a state historic park in 1945. Columbia today is an active town that has preserved its historical past and offers a glimpse into life during the Gold Rush.

Why go: It's the easiest way to see a working gold rush downtown, with historic shops, stagecoach rides and living history on Saturdays.

Columbia Highlights

• Many preserved historic buildings
• Stagecoach rides
• Historic saloons, schoolhouse, and cemetery
• Gold Rush Days: Living history every Saturday, with the most activity on the second Saturday of the month
• Columbia State Historic Park Museum: Exhibits open 10am to 4pm from October through April and 10am to 5pm from May through September
• Columbia Diggins 1852: Annual reenactment of an 1852 gold rush tent town, held in mid-May (2027 date TBA)
• Lamplight Tours: Holiday evening tours on December 4 and 5, 2026

Downieville

Mining began in Downieville in 1849, and this small Sierra County seat on the North Yuba River still has many gold rush era buildings.

Why go: It's a small, authentic mountain gold town that pairs well with a drive to Sierra City and the Kentucky Mine.

Downieville Highlights

• Downieville Museum: Gold rush and Sierra County history at 330 Main Street, open Fridays through Sundays in the summer season
• Downieville Gold Rush Days: A September festival celebrating the town's mining history (2027 date TBA)
• Union Flat Campground: Public gold panning (hands and pans only) about 6 miles east of town

Folsom

The city of Folsom was founded as Granite City and most of the population was gold miners. Within Folsom City limits were three other gold rush era towns known as Mormon Island, Salmon Falls, and Prairie City. All that is left of these three towns are Historical Landmark markers. A few remains of Salmon Falls can be seen at low water levels, including remnants of the old Salmon Falls Bridge. Folsom itself thrived after the Gold Rush and today, is best known for being the home of the state's second oldest prison, Folsom State Prison. Folsom State Prison opened in 1880 and was known for its harsh conditions.

Why go: A short drive from Sacramento, Folsom mixes gold rush sites with Johnny Cash history and lake time.

Folsom Highlights

• Folsom Prison Museum: Reopened in July 2026 after an 18-month closure; open weekends 10am to 4pm, $2
• Explore Folsom Historic District: Take the walking tour to learn about the historic buildings
• Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park: Built in 1895, you can explore vintage generators, the control switchboard, and learn how water powered electricity in the early days. The visitor center is open Wednesday through Sunday.
• Walk the Johnny Cash Trail
• Folsom History Museum and The Square: Open Thursday to Monday, 11am to 4pm; $7
• Folsom Railroad Museum
• Folsom Lake

Grass Valley

Grass Valley was an important site during the gold rush. Gold was discovered here at Gold Hill in 1850 and three prominent mines were established in the area - Empire Mine, Idaho-Maryland Mine, and North Star Mine. These went on to become some of the state's richest mines.

Why go: Empire Mine shows how hard-rock gold mining worked long after the first rush ended.

Grass Valley Highlights

• Empire Mine State Historic Park: 10791 East Empire Street - Empire Mine was in operation for over 100 years, extracting 5.8 million ounces of gold. The mine operated until 1956. You can explore old mine buildings, the owner's cottage and gardens, look into the main shaft entrance, and hike 14 miles of trails. Admission is $5.
• North Star House: A Julia Morgan-designed home built in 1905 for the North Star Mine's manager, on a 14-acre portion of the mine site. Docent-led tours on the second and fourth Thursdays.
• North Star Powerhouse Mining Museum: See a 30-foot Pelton wheel and mining equipment; free, open Thursday to Sunday, noon to 4pm, May through October.
• Historic Downtown Grass Valley
• Holbrooke Hotel

Jackson

Jackson is the site of one of the deepest gold mines in the world at 5,912 feet deep! Kennedy Gold Mine produced over $34 million in gold and operated until 1942. Today you can tour the historic mine on weekends and holidays from March through October. Jackson maintains its historic gold rush era charm and every year on the last weekend in April, head to Main Street for the Kit Carson Mountain Men Days of 49 Wagon Train for a parade, music, gold rush era activities, and more (2027 date TBA).

Why go: See the headframe and tailing wheels of the Kennedy Mine, one of the deepest gold mines in the world.

Jackson Highlights

• Historic Main Street - See Civil War era storefronts, antique shops, art galleries, dining, and more.
• Kennedy Gold Mine
• Argonaut Mine Historic Site
• Amador County Museum: Open Friday to Sunday, 11am to 3pm, with working models of the Kennedy and North Star mines shown at noon and 1pm

Julian

Julian was the home of what's known as California's second gold rush. Located in Southern California, gold was discovered here in 1869 and mining operations began. Mining here lasted into the early 1900s. Today, visitors can take guided tours of Eagle Mining Company to explore the tunnels and learn about mining operations. Julian is an old-timey small town that is famous for its apples, and this is a popular destination for apple picking every fall. There are several orchards and many locations offer living history programs to immerse visitors in the lifestyle of the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Why go: You can tour a gold mine and eat apple pie in the same afternoon, without leaving Southern California.

Julian Highlights

• The Eagle Mining Co.: Mine tours and gold panning at 2320 C Street, open daily 10am to 5pm
• Julian Pioneer Museum
• Julian Jail - Historic structure on 4th and C Street in Julian
• Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures: Event-based living history in nearby Santa Ysabel
• Julian Mining Company: Gold and gem panning at 4444 Highway 78, open weekends
• Julian Country Christmas
• Annual Fourth of July Parade
• Apple Season

Mariposa

Founded in 1849, Mariposa is one of the southernmost gold rush towns along the Golden Chain Highway, at the junction of HWY 140 and HWY 49. 61 buildings in Mariposa are on the Federal Register of Historical Places including the Fremont Adobe, the Capitol Saloon, the Mariposa Meat Market, and the Bogan Building.

Downtown Mariposa is a few short blocks, but it's packed full of historic Gold Rush era charm with unique shops and restaurants.

Why go: It's the southern gateway to Gold Country and an easy add-on to a Yosemite trip.

Mariposa Highlights

• Mariposa Museum & History Center: Indoor and outdoor exhibits including mining machinery and equipment, an operational stamp mill, historic buildings like the Original Gazette Building, a one room miners cabin, Yosemite Valley Railroad exhibit, and Native American exhibits.
• California State Mining & Mineral Museum: See the Fricot "Nugget", a 13.8 pound mass of crystallized gold, walk through a mine tunnel, learn about the gold rush era, and the history of mining and minerals. Open Thursday to Sunday; $4.
• Mariposa Courthouse: Built in 1854 and still used as the county courthouse.

Murphys

Murphys started as a trading post and gold mining operation in 1848. The Murphys were part of the first group of immigrants to successfully bring wagons over the Sierra, and the Murphy brothers reportedly struck it rich here. Murphys was a bustling gold rush town that stood the test of time. Miners and gamblers were replaced by families, and today, Murphys retains its historic gold rush charm infused with modern sophistication.

Why go: A walkable Main Street with gold rush buildings, an 1856 hotel and plenty of tasting rooms.

Murphys Highlights

• Murphys Old Timers Museum: Explore Murphys Gold Rush history and the organization's ongoing historical projects. The original museum closed after 2020.
• Murphys Main Street: Historic buildings, shops and restaurants
• Murphys Irish Day: Held the third Saturday in March to celebrate the town's Irish heritage (2027 date TBA)
• Murphys Open House: First Friday in December, welcomes in the holiday season
• Murphys Historic Hotel: Open since 1856 and has been visited by Mark Twain, Black Bart, and Ulysses S. Grant

Nevada City

Nevada City claims to be California's best preserved gold rush town. The quaint town is surrounded by forest with Deer Creek flowing through the center of town. The area was first settled in 1849 when prospectors moved in to search for gold. The Downtown area is full of historic buildings to explore, and there are several points of interest in the city.

Why go: Gas-lamp streets, historic theaters and small museums make it a great town to explore on foot.

Nevada City Highlights

• Historic Firehouse No. 1 Museum: Completed in 1861, it features mining artifacts and relics from the Donner Party, Native American exhibits, and pioneer displays. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 1pm to 4pm, May through October; free.
• Historic Firehouse No. 2: Built in 1860, one of California's oldest continuously used firehouses
• Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum: Preservation of narrow gauge railroad era history and artifacts
• Miners Foundry Cultural Center: Dates back to 1856, the first Pelton Wheel was built here in 1879
• Nevada Theatre: The oldest theatre building in the west that is still operating as a theatre, built in 1865
• Victorian Christmas: Holiday street fair on Sundays, December 6, 13 and 20, and Wednesdays, December 9 and 16, 2026

North Bloomfield (Malakoff Diggins)

North Bloomfield sits inside Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, once California's largest hydraulic gold mine. Miners blasted away whole hillsides with high-pressure water, leaving huge, colorful cliffs. Legal battles over the damage downstream led to landmark environmental protections in 1884.

Why go: Seeing the scale of the hydraulic mining pit explains how the gold rush reshaped the land.

North Bloomfield Highlights

• Historic town of North Bloomfield: Tours of the old mining town every Saturday, year-round
• Visitor center and museum: Displays on hydraulic mining and pioneer life, plus a short video
• More than 20 miles of trails, including the Diggins Loop
• Hours: daily 10am to 6pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day, daily 10am to 4pm from Labor Day to October 31, and weekends 10am to 4pm from November through May. Entry is $10 per vehicle.
• Getting there: The park is about 26 miles from Nevada City. Take Highway 49 north to Tyler Foote Road for an all-paved route; GPS may send you down dirt roads.

Placerville

Placerville was the Western terminus of the Overland Trail throughout the 1850s and in 1854, it was the third largest town in California. Settled by miners and merchants, the town and surrounding camps had their fair share of crime. In 1849, three criminals were convicted and hanged from an oak tree in town, earning it the nickname, Hangtown. The tree no longer stands. The Main Street building on the site was long known as the Hangman's Tree bar, which closed in 2008, and the stump is said to lie beneath the building. Much of the city was destroyed by a fire in 1856, but the Comstock silver strike brought new life to the area. If you visit Placerville, try Hangtown Fry -- a meal made with eggs and oysters, originally requested by a hungry miner who could finally afford a meal other than canned beans.

Why go: Old Hangtown's Main Street is full of gold rush history, and it's close to Coloma.

Placerville Highlights

• Downtown Placerville
• Hangtown Wagon Train Days: The Highway 50 Wagon Train arrives on Main Street every June (2027 date TBA)
• Placerville Museum in the Historic Fountain and Tallman Soda Works Building: Features a number of displays including gold rush era history and artifacts
• El Dorado County Historical Museum: Preserves the county's history with exhibits about Native Americans, the gold rush, the logging and lumber industry, transportation, and historical figures. At 104 Placerville Drive; open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm; free.
• Historic Cary House Hotel: Built in 1857 and known as the Jewel of Placerville, the hotel features original brickwork and antique furnishing and is said to be one of the areas most haunted spots

Sacramento

Although it was established before the gold rush, Sacramento was an important city center for prospectors traveling into the area. Not to mention, the discovery of gold was right outside the city in Coloma on the American River. Sacramento also has an extensive collection of historic buildings dating back to the 1800s. You can even enjoy a little living history in Old Town with guides reenacting the gold-rush era lifestyle. Plus, visit Sutter's Fort State Historic Park to see the site of the first European settlement in the central valley. The founder, John Sutter was also the owner of the mill where gold was first discovered.

Why go: Old Sacramento and Sutter's Fort show the supply-town side of the Gold Rush, with big museums for rainy days.

Sacramento Highlights

• Old Sacramento: 53 historic buildings and 28 acres preserving the past complete with wooden sidewalks, horse-drawn carriages, and Mississippi style riverboats
• California State Railroad Museum: Most comprehensive collection of trains and related artifacts in North America
• Sacramento History Museum: Learn about California history, the Gold rush, newspaper history, and agriculture
• Sutter's Fort State Historic Park: First permanent European colonial settlement in California's Central Valley, established in 1839. Open daily 10am to 5pm; $5. Next Demonstration Day: November 14, 2026.

Shasta

Once called the "Queen City of the Northern Mines," Shasta near Redding is now Shasta State Historic Park.

Why go: Its restored courthouse, jail and gallows bring frontier justice to life.

Shasta Highlights

• Courthouse Museum: The former Shasta County courthouse, with its courtroom, jail and gallows restored to the 1860s and galleries of California art. Open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm; $3 adults, $2 ages 6 to 17, free for 5 and under.

Sierra City

Sierra City is one of the northernmost gold rush towns on California's Golden Chain Highway. Nestled next to the North Yuba River, settlers moved in around 1850 in search of gold. The camp was destroyed by an avalanche during the very first year, but people stuck around and rebuilt. And it's a good thing they did: one of the largest gold nuggets ever found in California came from the Sierra Buttes Mine here, weighing in at 106 Troy pounds. That's about 87 regular pounds! The Monumental Nugget was discovered in 1869 and you can see a life size replica of it at the Kentucky Mine Museum right here in Sierra City. The Sierra Buttes mine near Sierra City operated for 80 years.

Why go: Watch a real stamp mill at the Kentucky Mine, then hike the Sierra Buttes.

Sierra City Highlights

• Kentucky Mine Historic Park & Museum: See a replica of the Monumental Nugget, experience a day in the life of a gold rush miner, and see an operating stamp mill. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day; stamp mill tours at 11am and 2pm are $10.
• Loves Falls: A quick and easy hike to a bridge and a waterfall that are part of the Pacific Crest Trail.
• Bassett's Station: Open seasonally, Bassett's Station is a cafe, store, and motel that has been serving the town since 1865.
• Sierra Buttes Lookout: Climb to the top of the 8,587-foot high Sierra Buttes, a popular hiking spot since the 1850s and was once a 4th of July tradition. Today, there is a fire lookout there with steep aluminum stairs that you can climb to the top.

Sonora & Jamestown

These two gold rush towns are just three miles apart on Highway 49. Woods Creek flows right through Jamestown.

Sonora has retained its old time charm, with historic buildings downtown. In addition to its gold rush history, more than 300 films and tv shows have been filmed here. Visit the local Walk Of Fame to see medallions marking the areas film heritage.

Why go: Ride a historic train at Railtown 1897 and stroll two gold rush main streets a few minutes apart.

Jamestown & Sonora Highlights

• Railtown 1897 State Historic Park: Take a ride through Gold Country on a historic steam or diesel locomotive. Excursion trains run weekends from April through October, and The Polar Express runs November 27 to December 20, 2026.
• California Gold Panning: Learn to pan for gold by appointment at 17712 Harvard Mine Road
• National Hotel: A Jamestown landmark dating to 1859. Its restaurant and bar closed in 2024.
• Tuolumne County Historical Society: See exhibits and collections about the areas history from the Gold Rush through modern times.
• Veterans Memorial Military Museum: Remembers Tuolumne County Veterans from WWI to present.
• Walk Of Fame: See medallions marking the film and television history of the area.

Sutter Creek

Named for John Sutter, whose sawmill was the site of the gold discovery, Sutter Creek grew up around the mines. In the early days, Sutter Creek served as a supply center for the surrounding mines. After the gold rush, quartz mines were operated until the 1950s. There are still plenty of historic buildings to see downtown with a variety of shops and restaurants and you can learn more about them if you take the walking tour. Sutter Creek is also very close to the gold rush town of Jackson, so you can head over and tour Kennedy Gold mine, one of the deepest gold mines in the world.

Why go: A pretty Main Street with a rare water-powered foundry and an old general store museum.

Sutter Creek Highlights

• Sutter Creek Gold Mine Trail: A trail to visit each of Amador County's gold mines.
• Knight Foundry: Sutter Creek's Industrial Jewel, established in 1873, it's a rare surviving water-powered foundry and machine shop. Open the second and fourth Saturdays of the month; $15.
• Kennedy Gold Mine: Famous for being one of the deepest gold mines, coming in at 5,912 feet deep.
• Monteverde Store Museum: A well-preserved general store that opened in 1896. Open Thursday and Friday, noon to 4pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
• Miner's Bend Park: A public park with historic displays and information about the gold rush including artifacts and plaques.
• Historic Sutter Creek Schoolhouse: The original 1856 structure was destroyed by a fire, and the structure standing today is the brick schoolhouse built to replace it in 1870.

Weaverville

Weaverville, near the Trinity Alps on Highway 299 about 50 miles west of Redding, grew up as a gold camp that drew many Chinese miners. Their legacy lives on at Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park.

Why go: The Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds, built in 1874, is the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California.

Weaverville Highlights

• Weaverville Joss House: See temple art, mining tools and weapons from the 1854 Tong War. The visitor center is open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, with guided temple tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

Where To Find Gold In California

Most gold rush era towns have some sort of tourist attraction, museum, or park that offers tours and gold panning experiences. Beyond that, there are some places that you can still pan for gold on public lands.

Be sure to read up on any gold panning regulations including designated area and types rockhounding tools allowed. For instance, many areas only allow gold panning using the “hands and pans” method.  Tools and equipment often may not be used in rockhounding, except gold pans.

The American River

Parts of the American River are still open to recreational gold panning. In Auburn State Recreation Area, you can pan on the river's gravel bars using only your hands and a gold pan, and metal detectors are prohibited.

Coloma

The majority of the town of Coloma is preserved as Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, and you can learn how to pan for gold and try it out yourself here. Gold panning lessons are offered most days at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm (a 15-minute lesson, then time at the panning troughs), and a 45-minute Gold Discovery Tour runs daily at 11am and 1pm ($3 adults, $2 kids). Lessons may be unavailable during the spring school-group season or in extreme heat, so call 530-622-3470 first.

Columbia State Historic Park

Columbia State Historic Park is a living history destination where you are immersed in the gold rush era. You can try gold panning at Matelot Gulch Mining Co. in the park.

Downieville

Public gold panning is allowed at Union Flat Campground on the North Yuba River, about 6 miles east of Downieville. Only hands and pans are allowed. See the Downieville town section for more to do.

Jamestown

Woods Creek runs through Jamestown. For a guided try, California Gold Panning offers lessons by appointment at 17712 Harvard Mine Road.

Julian

Visit Eagle Mining Co. in Julian to explore a real 1870s mining operation and give panning for gold a try for yourself, or pan on weekends at Julian Mining Company on Highway 78.

Kern River

You can explore Keysville Recreational Mining Area and practice prospecting for yourself along this 400-acre stretch of the Kern River. Then head to Greenhorn Creek to see where they found gold during the gold rush.

Mokelumne River

Head to Pine Grove and visit Roaring Camp Mining Company. Here on the banks of the Mokelumne River is an old miners camp with a real gold mine where you can try searching for gold by panning, sluicing, and dry washing. The season runs May through September, and reservations are required (209-296-4100).

Plumas County

In Plumas County, you can pan for gold on any public National Forest Land that is not staked. Keep an eye out for signage. You can also try joining the Advanced Geologic's Gold Prospectors Club for access to claims.

South Yuba River

South Yuba River State Park allows gold panning with the hands and pans method. Some of the best places to try outside of that are in Bridgeport, Edwards Crossing, and Washington. Head up to Middle Yuba River at Oregon Creek, too. You won't have to worry about claimjumping here as these are all public areas along the river. If you don't find gold, no worries, there are plenty of beautiful swimming holes here in this wilderness area, so you can make the most of your time on the river.

More Places To Pan For Gold

• Angels Camp - Panning is included with admission at the Angels Camp Museum
• Auburn State Recreation Area - Hands and pans only; metal detectors prohibited
• Barton Flats - San Gorgonio area of the San Bernardino National Forest
• Big Bear Lake area of the San Bernardino National Forest
• Butte Creek Forks Recreation Area - Designated areas, permits required
• Kern River - Keysville Recreational Mining Area
• Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake area of the San Bernardino National Forest
• Lytle Creek - Cajon Pass area of the San Bernardino National Forest (Notice of Intent required, even for panning)
• Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park - Humbug Creek from Chinese Gardens to Relief Hill Bridge. See the North Bloomfield section for the historic town, museum and more than 20 miles of trails.
• Merced River - Merced River Recreational Area near Briceburg, McCabe Flat Campground, Cable Rock Day Use Area.
• Oroville - Feather River
• Randsburg - Near the Mojave Desert
• San Bernardino National Forest: Read the forest's prospecting rules first. Holcomb Valley and Lytle Creek require a Notice of Intent, even for gold panning.
• San Jacinto - Santa Rosa Mountains area of the San Bernardino National Forest
• Santa Clarita - Dry creek beds and hillsides in the area
• Swasey Recreation Area - Areas cannot be claimed, open to public, sluicing in Clear Creek
• Trinity River - Wild and Scenic Area from Lewiston to Pigeon Point

Highway 49

Highway 49, or State Route 49, runs north-south along the Sierra Nevadas. It is known as the Golden Chain Highway, connecting many historic gold rush era communities. Its southern terminus is at an intersection with SR 41 in Oakhurst, California and ends at its northern terminus in Vinton, CA at SR 70. Highway 49 opened in 1934. Here are some of the gold rush mining towns along and near Highway 49. Note that some may no longer exist as "towns" but most can still be found on maps:

• Angels Camp
• Amador City
• Auburn
• Bidwell's Bar
• Blue Tent
• Camptonville
• Carson Hill
• Chinese Camp
• Coloma
• Columbia
• Condemned Bar
• Coulterville
• Diamond Springs
• Dog Town
• Downieville
• Dutch Flat
• El Dorado
• Fiddletown
• French Corral
• French Lake
• Gold Run
• Grass Valley
• Horseshoe Bend (now submerged under Lake McClure reservoir)
• Jackson
• Jamestown
• Mariposa
• Michigan Bar
• Michigan Bluff
• Middle Bar
• Mokelumne Hill
• Mormon Bar
• Mormon Island
• Mount Ophir
• Nevada City
• North San Juan
• Oakhurst
• Placerville
• Plymouth/Pokerville
• Portuguese Flat
• Prairie City
• Red Dog
• Ridley's Ferry
• Rough and Ready
• San Andreas
• Shingle Springs
• Sierra City
• Sonora
• Sutter Creek
• Tuolumne City
• Yankee Jims
• You Bet

Farther north, Shasta and Weaverville aren't on Highway 49, but they're worth the drive on Highway 299.

Gold Rush History Near Orange County

You don't have to drive to the Sierra to see gold rush history. These Southern California spots are within a day trip or weekend of Orange County.

• Placerita Canyon Natural Area (Newhall): See the Oak of the Golden Dream, where Francisco Lopez found gold in 1842. The park and nature center are closed Mondays.
• Holcomb Valley (Big Bear): From 1860 until the early 1900s, this was the site of Southern California's largest gold rush, with the mining camps of Belleville, Clapboard Town and Union Town. Prospecting here, including panning, requires a Notice of Intent.
• Randsburg (Kern County): A desert mining town that boomed after gold was found in the Rand Mountains in 1895. The Rand Desert Museum is open weekends, 11am to 2pm.
• Julian (San Diego County): Tour a gold mine and try panning in the apple-pie mountain town.
• For more, see our guides to California ghost towns and Calico Ghost Town.

Orange County Places to Pan for Gold for Recreation

Here are places in Orange County and nearby where you can pan for (fool's) gold while learning about mining and how to pan for gold.

• Knott's Berry Farm: Pan for Gold in Ghost Town costs $10
• Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center: Gold panning is part of its school and group programs only
• Irvine Regional Park (seasonal): Gold panning at the Irvine Park Railroad during its Pumpkin Patch, September 12 to November 1, 2026
• Julian, CA
• Gold Rush Mining Co (Big Bear, CA): Gold panning and mining exhibits; free admission

Biggest Gold Nuggets Found in California

These are some of the biggest nuggets found in California including one found in 1977 and another in 2014.

• Carson Hill Nugget | 195 Troy Pounds | 1854 - Discovered at Carson Hill Creek in Calaveras County.
• Monumental Nugget | 106 Troy Pounds | 1869 - Discovered at the Sierra Buttes Mine in Sierra County.
• Magalia Nugget | 54 Pounds | 1859 - Discovered in Magalia, CA located in Butte County.
• Knapp's Ranch Nugget | 50 Pounds | 1851 - Discovered near Knapp’s ranch in Tuolumne County.
• Holden Chispa | 18 Pounds | 1850s - Holden's Gardens in Sonora, Tuolumne County.
• Montezuma Nugget | 18 Pounds | 1853 - Montezuma Tent in Tuolumne County.
• Fricot Nugget | 13 Pounds | 1865 - Discovered at the Grit Mine at Spanish Dry Diggin's in El Dorado County. 
• Mojave Nugget | 156 Troy Ounces | 1977 - Found by metal detector in Mojave desert in Kern County, near Randsburg, California in the Stringer Mining District.
• Butte Nugget | 75 Troy Ounces | 2014 - Found by metal detector somewhere in Butte County.

Related Articles