Experience Guided Tour of the History and Geology of Gold Country

Experience Gold Rush History of the Motherload in a driving tour along Tuolumne and Calaveras County. Take in some of California’s amazing natural wonders and the southern Gold Rush towns of Sonora, Columbia and Jamestown.

While traveling through Sonora on this guided driving tour, you’ll hear the stories of some of the era’s most headstrong miners, including some who caught gold rush fever in the wild wild west.

The tour takes you through well-preserved western streets at Columbia State Historic Park where you can experience the sights and sounds of a working gold rush town and you may try gold panning (optional) or take a ride on the stagecoach (optional).

While touring, you will see the Stanislaus River and learn about Parrott,s Ferry during the Gold Rush.

On the tour, you'll learn about the spectacular limestone cavern which has been carved out by Coyote Creek at Natural Bridges Trail. We will stop at Moaning Caverns Visitor Center.

Pass by Gold Rush Town Angels Camp and learn about non-native Bull Frog Jump Jubilee.

While touring, you will see the New Melones Reservoir and where the old town of Melones was submerged under water after the Stanislaus River was Dammed.

Step out and view Mark Twain's Cabin a Historical Landmark

Learn about the volcanic lava flow that followed the river and solidified which is now a basalt rock formation called Table Mountain.

In Jamestown, you'll visit Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, and step back in time where you can explore the railroad museum, roundhouse, and machine shop.