The Gold Rush Trail

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DISCOVER
THE GOLD RUSH TRAIL

HIGHWAY 49 IS THE GOLD RUSH TRAIL - YOUR ROUTE THROUGH
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA'S GOLD COUNTRY

Highway 49 runs through the heart of California's Mother Lode country from Southern-most Oakhurst to Vinton in the North, a full 270 miles of the original route followed by the Argonauts and forty-niners of the 1800s.

WHERE TO START ALONG THE GOLD RUSH TRAIL?

Map of Highway 49

There are many ways to get to Highway 49, and you can pick it up anywhere.

Where ever you start along the way, you're assured of a wonderful visit to California's Gold Country with lots of beautiful scenery, historic sights, and entertaining things to do.

But, if you're really interested in the history of it, I'd like to make a suggestion: try retracing the footsteps of the original 49ers!

No, I'm not talking about boarding a steamship for Cape Horn or outfitting a covered wagon for a trek across the prairies.

But you could start in 1848 San Francisco, where many a 49er found himself first placing foot on California soil!

From The City, follow the course of the Sacramento River to discover Old Sac and Sutter's Fort. Then head up the American River to Coloma and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

You've now arrived at the Gold Rush Trail! From here you can head North to Nevada County and the hard rock mines, or South to the panning and dredging sites.

How did the forty-niners get to the goldfields once they'd reached San Francisco? Let's find out:

San Francisco Gold Rush
Take these self-guided walking tours when you reach San Francisco to learn about the San Francisco of 1849.

Follow the Sacramento River
Want to know which route the 49ers took from San Francisco to Sacramento City?

Old Sacramento
What did the 49ers find when they reached Sacramento City?

Sutter's Fort
Sutter's Fort - a step back in time!

The Discovery of Gold in California
Visit Coloma, where it all began!

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