Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
10am-5pm; ) is a place of bucolic tranquility, with two tragic protagonists in John Sutter
and James Marshall.
Sutter, who had a fort in Sacramento, partnered with Marshall to build a sawmill on this
swift stretch of the American River in 1847. It was Marshall who discovered gold here on
January 24, 1848, and though the men tried to keep their findings secret, prospectors from
around the world stampeded into town. In one of the tragic ironies of the Gold Rush, the
men who made this discovery died nearly penniless. In another, many of the new immig-
rants who arrived seeking fortune were indentured, taxed and bamboozled out of anything
they found.
In the rare moments there aren't a million school kids running around, the pastoral park
by the river makes for a solemn stroll. Follow the trail to the bank where Marshall found
gold and started the revolutionary birth of the 'Golden State.'
The park has been undergoing a restoration effort, which includes the mill itself and the
Visitor Information Center & Museum ( 530-622-3470; 310 Back St, Coloma; tours adults/
child $3/2; 10am-5pm Mar-Nov, to 4pm Dec-Feb, guided tours 11am & 1pm year round) , with his-
torical dioramas and a shop with frontier-days trinkets.
On a hill overlooking the park is the James Marshall Monument , where he was buried
in 1885, a ward of the state. You can drive the circuit but it's much better to meander the
many trails around the park, past mining artifacts and pioneer cemeteries.
Panning for gold ($7, free if you have your own equipment) is popular. From 10am to
3pm in the summer, or by request, you get a quick training session and 45 minutes to pan.
Sleeping & Eating
Coloma Resort CAMPGROUND, CABINS
( 530-621-2267; www.colomaresort.com ; 6921 Mt Murphy Rd; tent & RV sites $45-49, cabins & on-
site RVs $100-295; )
Another long-established riverside campground, this is better for RVs. It comes with a full
range of activities and wi-fi. With lots of family activities, this has the feel of a summer
camp.
Argonaut Farm to Fork Cafe AMERICAN
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