A living Gold Rush town with gold panning, stagecoach rides, and costumed docents bringing the 1850s to life.
Columbia State Historic Park is one of California’s best-preserved Gold Rush-era towns. Founded in 1850, Columbia once rivaled San Francisco in size and wealth. Today, the park preserves over a dozen original buildings, and costumed docents, working craftspeople, and interactive exhibits bring the era to life. Pan for real gold, ride a Wells Fargo stagecoach, visit a working blacksmith, and explore shops that have been serving visitors for over 170 years. Admission is free, making it one of the best family destinations in the Sierra foothills.
Try your luck finding real gold flakes at the sluice — guaranteed finds for kids!
Ride a genuine Wells Fargo stagecoach through the historic streets.
Watch a working blacksmith forge tools and horseshoes using 1850s techniques.
Docent-led walking tour covering Columbia's rise, boom, and preservation.
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