Northern California’s Backroads: A Guide to its Gold Rush Towns

(8 reviews)

Nevada County, California audio tour: Northern California’s Backroads: A Guide to its Gold Rush Towns

This is a 52.2mi driving tour

It takes an average of 150 mins to complete.

Nevada County, California

The United States

$14.99

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About the Tour

The spectacular countryside of the Sierra Nevada’s western foothills was the backdrop to the California Gold Rush. On this California driving tour, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the charming western towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City during a 50-mile loop.

As you enjoy the peaceful backroads and rustic gold rush towns of Rough and Ready, North San Juan, and French Corral, I’ll weave together stories of the California Gold Rush using excerpts from diaries of early California pioneers.

The tour starts in front of Northstar Mining Museum, where you can see mining equipment and items that were used by miners and their families. I’ll tell you the story of how roughly 300,000 migrants – known collectively as 49ers – descended on Coloma California after James Marshall’s gold discovery at John Sutter’s Mill in the mid-1800s.

On this tour, you’ll have the opportunity to:

Learn about the hardrock method of gold mining at the Northstar Mining Museum
Take a look at the historic Wells Fargo Bank building, one of the only pieces of architecture to have survived from the gold rush years
Hear a synopsis of early Californian history from the Native Americans to the Gold Rush
Walk across the Bridgeport covered bridge, one of the longest covered bridges in the world
Hike along the South Yuba River and explore its scenic vistas in the South Yuba River State Park
Discover how early pioneer women made an honest living in the rural Old West
See Holbrooke Hotel, one of Grass Valley’s most recognized landmarks

The tour ends at the Empire Mine State Historic Park, a Sierra Nevada state-protected mine and park in Grass Valley, where you’ll have the opportunity to view the magnificent stone Bourne Mansion or hike one of its peaceful trails.

All stops along the way are optional. Fees to visit parks, trailheads, wineries, or museums are not included in the price of this tour.

This 50-mile driving tour can be completed in about two hours without any stops. On the other hand, this is your adventure. You may stop where you want, when you want, and for as long as you want. It’s up to you. Happy Adventures!

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Voice acting credit: Voice of John Doble, Dutch Carver, and Mark Twain by Brandon Baumann
Voice acting credit: Voice of Lotta Crabtree, Jennie Wimmer, Virginia Reed, Margaret Frink, Mary Jane Megquier, Eleanora Dumont, and Lola Montez by Robin Baumann

Please review the “Precautions” section for important information on driving and hiking.

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Journals Used for quotes in this driving tour:

Across the Plains in the Donner Party by Virginia Reed Murphy

John Doble’s Journal and Letters from the Mines 1851 - 1865, Volcano Press

Margaret Frink, Journal of the Adventures of a Party of California Gold-seekers: Under the Guidance of Mr. Ledyard Frink During a Journey Across the Plains from Martinsville, Indiana, to Sacramento, California, from March 30, 1850, to September 7, 1850

Apron of Gold: The Letters of Mary Jane Megquier from San Francisco, 1849-1856, edited by Polly Welts Kaufman

Tour Producer

Lynn Momboisse

25 tours

Hi! My name is Lynn. I am a native of California and have resided in Northern California for most of my life. I have a love for discovering the hidden treasures in my own back yard. For many years I lived in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea where I co-authored the book Historic Homes and Inns of Carmel-by-the-Sea. During my time in Carmel-by-the Sea, I served on the Carmel Heritage Society, and Historic Resources Board. My love of history and passion for discovering the beauty of the Golden State has led me to create a fun little blog titled "Adventures of a Home Town Tourist" where I recount many of my walking tours and hiking adventures throughout the world. I currently live in the majestic Sierra Foothills and have written several walking and driving tours of the Lake Tahoe area as well as the California Gold Country. I am so excited to continue to share my travel adventures through the power of VoiceMap. I can't wait for you to join me. Happy Adventures!

Preview Location

Location 41

Women of the Gold Rush: Cook Extraordinaire Margaret Frink

Men were not the only ones touched by gold fever, many women were as well. Margaret Frink caught the gold bug when she received a letter from a friend in California.

"If a woman can cook at all, she could get $16 a week for each man that she cooked for. And the only cookin... Read More

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Major Landmarks

Grass Valley
Northstar Mining Museum
California Historical Landmark 297: Gold Hill Mine
Grass Valley Museum
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Lola Montez Marker
Holbrooke Hotel
Rough and Ready
Penn Valley
South Yuba River State Park
Historic Wells Fargo Bank Building
North San Juan
Independence Trail
Nevada City
Pioneer Cemetery
Aaron A. Sargent House
Miners Foundry Cultural Center
The National Exchange Hotel
Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
Empire Mine State Historic Park

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
933 Allison Ranch Rd, Grass Valley, CA 95949, USA
Total distance

84km
Final location
10791 E Empire St, Grass Valley, CA 95945, USA
Distance back to start location

2km

Directions to Starting Point

Starting point Parking Lot of Wolf Creek Trail and Northstar Mining Museum 933 Allison Ranch Rd, Grass Valley, CA

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Grass Valley

North Star Mining Museum: 933 Allison Ranch Road, Grass Valley, CA / Open May through October, Wednesday through Sunday 12 to 4pm
Grass Valley Museum: 410 S Church St, Grass Valley, CA / Open Wednesday through Saturday 12:30 to 3:30
Grass Valley Visitor Center: 128 E. Main Street in downtown Grass Valley / Open: Monday: 11 am to 3:00 pm; Tuesday through Friday: 11 am to 4 pm; Saturday: 11 am to 3:00 pm
Cornish Christmas Grass Valley: Annual street party at Main and Mill featuring authentic aspects of the Cornish culture every Friday starting after Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Empire State Historic Park: 10791 E Empire St, Grass Valley / Open daily 10 to 5pm / There is a cost to explore portions of this park / Estate tours November - April 11am to 1pm daily, May to October 11:30am to 1:30pm daily / Garden tours May - October Wednesdays and Saturdays 10:15am / Mineyard Tours November - April 12pm to 2pm daily, May - October 12:30 to 2:30pm daily

South Yuba River State Park: 17660 Pleasant Valley Road Penn Valley, CA / Open daily sunrise to sunset / Visitor Center open Friday through Sunday 11 to 3 / Parking Fee $10.00 Memorial Day weekend through October 1st and $5.00 the rest of the year

Nevada City

Miners Foundry Cultural Center: Spring Street, Nevada City - The office and building are generally open from Tuesdays through Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

The Lola inside the The National Exchange Hotel: This restaurant located at 211 Broad Street, Nevada City and is named after Lola Montez the high-spirited entertainer of the Gold Rush. For reservations, please call 530 - 362 -7605. Open everyday for BRUNCH 9:00am-2:30pm / Dinners 5-9PM SUN-THURS 5-10PM FRI-SAT

Chamber of Commerce: 132 Main Street, Nevada City / Open Monday through Friday 10 to 2pm and Saturday 11 to 2pm

Firehouse #1: 214 Main Street, Nevada City / Open May 1 through October 31 Wednesday – Sunday, 1pm – 4pm

Nevada City Victorian Christmas: Welcome the holiday season in Nevada City. It’s a magical setting of hilly streets with authentic gas lamps, wandering carolers dressed in Victorian attire, and visitors sharing holiday cheer and good tidings. This tradition takes place two Wednesday evenings and three Sunday afternoons in December.

Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum: 5 Kidder Ct, Nevada City, CA / Open Sat and Sun 10am to 4pm / Railbus Excursions on Saturday’s from April to October, weather permitting.

Not On Tour but Nearby

Crystal Hermitage Gardens: 14618 Tyler Foote Rd, Nevada City, CA / Open Monday 9AM to 12:30PM, 145 - 5PM Closed Tuesday Open Wednesday 9AM–12:30 PM, 1:45–5 PM. Thursday 1:30–4 PM, Friday 9 AM–12:30 PM, 1:45–5 PM, Saturday and Sunday1:30–4 PM / Please see this web site for current garden open hours. For information of peek garden times for tulips and other blooms please visit this site

Best time of day

Daytime hours are best for this tour. If you are interested in a specific museum or state park, please check the times these places are open under Places to stop along the way and plan your drive accordingly.

Precautions

Please drive within the speed limit and obey all the rules of the road. If you get out of your car for any reason please cover your valuables and lock your car. When walking in any of the towns on this tour please be careful when crossing the street. Make sure cars coming in any direction have seen you and stopped before proceeding across the street. Watch for tripping hazards and be mindful of your surroundings.

When taking any of the hikes along this tour, always stay on the hiking path. Do not touch poison oak or feed any animals.

Drink Responsibly!

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“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”