It is impossible to travel one of the Sierra national or state scenic byways without running straight through California’s historic gold country. Based on the western edge of the Sierra Crest and running down into rich central valley, the California gold country is a collection of nine distinct counties all with a rich history of gold, wine, food, hospitality and outdoor adventure.
Of course most know that these counties also are connected by one unique and scenic historic route that every visitor and local alike should at some point travel from end to end. Scenic Route 49 is one of America’s most iconic drives.
Spanning from Madera County in the south to Sierra County in the north, Highway 49 offers the quintessential road trip. Truly, it’s one of America’s best drives.
Gold Country California
By car, by bus, by horse, by train, you are invited to explore the many destinations of California’s Gold Country. It’s time to find your gold or one great adventure.
Sierra County
Hwy 49 takes off to the East from Hwy 89 just outside of Sierraville and heads over the Sierra Butte region then down along the Yuba River. This is a steep and rugged country filled with biking and hiking routes that test the best, but is probably best known for its historic gold history and small towns such as Sierra City and Downieville ( home of the Downieville classic mountain bike race )
Looking to Capture an Epic ride while traveling. The Butcher Ranch Trial is the recommended cant miss feature trail. Carved by miners during the gold rush of the 1840′s, Butcher Ranch Trail is the heart and soul of the Downieville Downihill. Fast, rugged descending, punctuated with amazing scenery and historical relics. This trail is a must-do for any visit to Downieville.
Placer County
Made up of 1,400 square miles of some of the most beautiful and diverse geography in California, Placer County stretches from urban South Placer, through the historic Gold Country Foothills, into the High Sierra of North Lake Tahoe. Placer County is home to the Auburn State Recreation Area, containing numerous trails along the scenic rivers, canyons, lakes and meadowlands. Although Lake Tahoe and Truckee Ca might be a bigger draw here, the cant miss treasure is a trip up the American Canyon Trail
The American Canyon trail is a steep trail & has everything needed for a great day of exploration: rugged mountain canyons, a beautiful stream with waterfalls, a wide variety of plant and animal life, gold rush era history, and panoramic views of the Middle Fork American River. Trailhead is on Pilgrim Way, east of Cool. Take Hwy 49 south to Cool. Turn left on Hwy 193 at blinking red light and drive 5.7 miles. Turn left on Pilgrim Way and look for trailhead on right side just before the gated entrance to Auburn Lake Trails.
Eldorado County
Discover the rich and colorful gold rush history in the well-preserved towns along Historic Highway 49. Placerville and Coloma are historically the birth place of the California Gold rush.
In Coloma visit Marshall’s monument, the original gold discovery site, and several historic buildings became part of California’s state park system in 1927. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park features a museum, many original and restored buildings, and costumed volunteers. You can learn to pan for gold behind Bekeart’s Gun Shop, or purchase a pan at the Marshall Gold Mercantile and try your luck at the panning beach along the South Fork of the American River.
Looking for a great place to hike without leaving Hwy 49 to far behind. Check out the Cornan Trail system along the American river and between Coloma and Placerville.
Other hot visits to the area include wineries and the famous Apple Hill region near Placerville.
Amador County
Amador County is in the heart of the Gold Country, where Forty-Niners flocked to find their fortunes 150 years ago. Modern travelers come to enjoy historic buildings, lovely tree-covered hills, rich wine country, antique shops and a wide array of outdoor recreational opportunities for every season. A scenic area with a rich Gold Rush history, Amador County is a favorite tourist destination along HWY 49 south of Placerville.
The Kennedy Mine, famous for being one of the deepest gold mines in the world (at 5912 feet), demonstrates how gold changed an entire way of life in California. Although gold was known to be present and was mined by the Spanish and Mexicans, the California Gold Rush did not begin until after James Marshall’s discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in 1848. Between 1848 and 1858, California exploded from being a largely unpopulated agrarian state into a vital, fast growing and exciting part of the United States. Prospected in 1860, reorganized in 1886 and continuously run until 1942, the Kennedy Gold Mine produced approximately $34,280,000 in gold according to the CA Dept. of Conservation (a 1948 valuation). One of the tallest head frames in existence today can be seen at the Kennedy Mine. The mine also had one of the largest stamp mills in the Mother Lode, moving tailings by means of huge wooden wheels, some of which are still standing.
Amador County has it all: from the lush Shenandoah Valley wine country in the northwest region of the county, home to a host of award-winning wineries, to the central oak studded hillsides and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains at the eastern tip of the county, where visitors find some of the finest skiing in California.
Calaveras County
Ranging in altitude from close to sea level in the foothills to more than 8,000 feet at the Sierra crest, Calaveras boasts such diverse geological landscapes that it’s possible to ski in the morning and play a round of golf in the afternoon. Historic Gold Rush towns, with charming period architecture, each with its own distinct character, can be found throughout the county. Home of Calaveras Big Tree State Park, easy access to some of the Sierra Largest trees.
With outstanding mountain sports recreation, friendly locals, abundant history, a thriving wine industry, year-round music and performing arts, and a passion for excellent cuisine, Calaveras County offers the authentic California experience with multiple opportunities for high adrenaline adventure and laid-back entertainment. Don’t miss the October fest or Mark Twain Wild West Fest for authentic California mountain town experiences.
Tuolumne County
Tuolumne County’s Gold Country is rich and alive with thriving Gold Rush towns such as Jamestown, Sonora and Columbia.
Tuolumne County’s Gold Country offers an authentic Gold Rush experience with its rich, lively and thriving historic towns such as Jamestown, Sonora and Columbia that bring the Old West back to life. Walk wooden sidewalks and ride the rails behind the famous Sierra No. 3®, the locomotive that starred in hundreds of western movies and TV shows. Your treasure, new or old, is waiting to be discovered in unique specialty shops or fine art galleries that line the streets.
Of Course we understand if a detour into Yosemite National Park is warranted here. Home the Northern Entrance of Yosemite, enjoy more of what Tuolumne has to offer with trips to Hetch Hetchy or Yosemite Valley.
Mariposa County
Mariposa earned the name “Mother of Counties” in California when it occupied more the one fifth of the State in 1850. Its quick growth like all the areas along Highway 49 is due in great part to the discovery of Gold. Mariposa County today covers 1,455 square miles and is home to the Yosemite National Park’s Valley. Access to Yosemite is through four of the five major highways and the only year around entrance.
Hiking, bicycling, camping, gold panning, swimming, nature trails, tennis, boating, hang gliding, skiing, rafting, fishing, wine tasting, golfing, shopping, antiques, self guided tours, fine dining, state historic parks, Yosemite, and the Mariposa Museum and History Center
Madera County
The Southern Yosemite Area is a fun-filled region of outdoor adventures, wine tasting, fishing, historic museums and that is just the beginning. Head over to Bass Lake for fishing, boating, jetskiing and a wide variety of restaurants and hiking.
Once called Fresno Flats, Oakhurst is the largest community in the foothills of Madera County. Although there are countless defining moments that forever changed California’s landscape, one of the biggest is when gold was discovered. It sparked a mass migration of epic proportions. California’s population blossomed from 800 non-natives to 100,000 in less than a year. Although Madera County’s focus was on farming, wine, and a gateway to Yosemite, Gold Rush fever hit it too.
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