Gold Country

The newspapers touted it as “the wondrous gold region” and that the gold was “inexhaustible”. Word of such instant riches spread quickly and soon miners were pouring into California, at first from Oregon, Hawaii, and Latin America. Then, as the story goes, a whaler returned to Provincetown, MA, with $7.5M in gold dust. Overnight the rush was on and soon 300,000 wide-eyed men and women were feverishly scouring the hills, rivers, and valleys of the Sierra Nevada mountains for California gold.

“During the gold rush it’s a good time to be in the pick and shovel business.” — Mark Twain

With so many Gold Rush reminders in Auburn’s backyard, you’ll have lots of choices to explore this interesting time in United States history. The aptly named Gold Rush Museum has great hands-on exhibits and even has a mining tunnel, but you won’t want to miss Sutter’s Sawmill, the place where gold was first discovered in California. The Golden State had to get its name from somewhere…and, who knows, there may still be golden nuggets in “them thar hills.”

Our Museum Partners

PLACER COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Located within Auburn’s historic courthouse, this museum explores the rich history of Placer County. Don’t miss the Placer Valley Gold Collection, and the original Thomas Kinkade painting, ‘Auburn Centennial.’

Free Admission | Open Daily 10am-4pm

101 Maple St, Auburn, CA 95603

Driving Directions

(3.3 miles)

Apple Maps | Google Maps
Apple | Google

MARSHALL GOLD DISCOVERY STATE HISTORIC PARK

Home of Sutter’s Sawmill, the historic spot where gold was first discovered in California. This state park and museum features scheduled activities like gold panning and tours; the blacksmith shop; and lovely hiking trails.

Parking Fee $10 | Open Daily 10am-5pm

310 Back St, Coloma, CA 95613

Driving Directions

(20 miles)

Apple Maps | Google Maps
Apple | Google

GOLDEN DRIFT MUSEUM

The Museum displays a rich photographic history of the area’s towns, mining, lumbering, schools, churches, social, Indian and Chinese heritage. Featuring an Interactive hydraulic mining exhibit.

Free Admission
Memorial Day – September; Fri-Sun 12-4pm

32820 Main St, Dutch Flat, CA 95714

Driving Directions

(24.9 miles)

Apple Maps | Google Maps
Apple | Google

BERNHARD MUSEUM

Welcoming visitors for over 150 years and filled with artifacts and furnishings from a bygone era. The Bernhard Museum also includes a restored 1874 winery and wine processing building.

Free Admission
Check website for updates on opening times

291 Auburn Folsom Rd, Auburn, CA 95603

Driving Directions

(4 miles)

Apple Maps | Google Maps
Apple | Google

GOLD RUSH MUSEUM

The Gold Rush Museum gives an updated and interactive look at California’s Gold Rush, which began in the Sierra Foothills. Featuring a mining tunnel, gold rush ‘Twitter wall,’ many hands-on exhibits and an indoor gold panning stream.

Free Admission | Fri-Sun 1pm-4pm

601 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603

Driving Directions

(3.3 miles)

Apple Maps | Google Maps
Apple | Google

FORRESTHILL DIVIDE MUSEUM

Learn about life on the Divide in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Exhibits include Gold Rush artifacts, a logging exhibit with scale model of the lumber mill, and educational displays on Native Americans.

Free Admission
Mid May – Mid October; Sat-Sun 12pm-4pm

24601 Harrison St, Foresthill, CA 95631

Driving Directions

(18 miles)

Apple Maps | Google Maps
Apple | Google

Personalize your adventures in The Sierra Foothills

Click here to save the experiences you love, and we’ll have your adventure map(s) waiting for you when you arrive.