While we are sure to believe there is mineral gold in the hills of California's "Gold County", the true value is located in the culture and history of the location. North Central California has 12 counties that make up the Gold Country. A majority of these counties are settled in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and are sprinkled with attractively old fashioned towns that have survived from the Gold Rush days.
On the 24th of January in 1848, James W. Marshall saw the glitter of metal in a drained area of Sutter's sawmill in what is present day Coloma, California, spawning the historic Gold Rush. The new territory of California's population boomed in 1849, increasing by 90,000. Prospectors came from virtually all over the globe dreaming of becoming rich instantly simply by pulling nuggets of gold from the ground. Actually, only a handful saw their vision of golden riches become a reality. The real winners of the Gold Rush were the companies that provided supplies and services to the prospectors.
Mining towns sprouted like weeds in a freshly plowed garden, and when the mine supporting them petered out, they became ghost towns just as quickly. Over 150 years later, there are still flourishing gold mining communities. A lot of these towns can be found along Highway 49 as it runs from Sierra City in Sierra County in the north to Oakhurst in Madera County in the south. The highway was dubbed "49" in the same way the prospectors were called "forty-niners," referring to the year the Gold Rush started.
The section of Highway 49 running from Sierra City to Oakhurst is approximately 260 miles, which means you should be able to drive it in about 6 hours. This would be incredibly unjust to the countryside's beauty as well as to the historic novelty of the communities, however. The Gold Country is an ideal location to vacation for the weekend.
Explore the architectural charm of communities like Nevada City, situated just 52 miles to the northeast of Sacramento. Included in its historic district are ninety-three buildings which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Nevada City is thought to be one of the best preserved towns from the Gold Rush era. Grass Valley is a short distance away. It is a well preserved town from the gold rush era and includes the Empire Mine State Historic Park. This 784-acre state park offers a wealth of activities for those who want to spend the whole day exploring, viewing mining relics, and taking part in educational activities centered on California's hard rock mining industry.
Almost every Gold Rush town has a lot of grand Victorian homes, many of which now serve as Bed and Breakfast retreats. Historical markers abound and there are quite a few interesting museums to visit. However, the history is only one aspect of this fascinating land. The natural scenery is also stunning. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are a lot of activities available, such as fishing, hiking, and snow activities in winter at the higher elevations.
The Gold Country of California is a wonderful place to visit. Everyone will find something of interest to them here.