Hiking Archives - Your Motherlode

Columbia Historical Landmark

The small town and historical landmark of Columbia is located just outside of Sonora right off Highway 49. Columbia State Historic Park is about as close as you can get to experiencing the look and feel of an actual gold rush town featuring the largest single collection of existing gold rush-era structures in the state. Today you can still experience the feelings of an old mining town, on weekends you will find people walking the streets and merchants dressed in 1850’s attire, a vintage Bowling alley and a real blacksmith shop. A popular attraction and sight is that of a stagecoach pulling into town! Yes you can see and even ride a stage coach with real horses and actors to make the experience even more real. You can Pan for gold and enjoy the history of California’s gold rush while your here. Be sure to stop in at the...

Murphys

Iron Stone

Family, Food, Hiking, History

Ironstone takes its name from the impossibly hard schist and limestone formations from which the winery’s foundation and companion caverns were blasted and drilled. Ironstone Vineyards is much more than a winery, the grounds cover approximately 100 acres and includes a large entertainment complex, tasting room and a museum that is surrounded by some spectacular gardens, wedding grounds, trails and a pond all of which seem picture perfect. The outdoor amphitheater can seat approximately 6000 guests and features a summer concert lineup that includes some of the areas best entertainment. Wine tasting and a deli are available during the day as well as a shop where some foods and gift items can be purchased. Check the schedule for concerts, expos, cooking classes and other demos and if you happen to be in the area this is one place you don’t want to miss....

Columbia · Destinations · Sonora · Things To Do · Tuolumne

Free Entertainment in the Motherlode

Family, Hiking, See

If you’re looking for bargains and deals on things to do in the Motherlode area here are a few places to consider. For visitors and tourist some of the places that you can enjoy locally are completely free and you can even eat and shop on a budget with a great selection of local bargains. Our first choice for a day trip would be Columbia, this historic town is a great place for a family to walk around and see the sights. Recognized as a Historical State Park, Parking is free and the downtown main street is closed to vehicles so people can walk and enjoy the town on foot. Columbia is full of historic sights and has numerous places for great photos. Free and bargain activities include gold panning, rock climbing, candle dipping, stagecoach rides, ghost tours, a blacksmith shop and more. Pizza and sarsaparilla sodas are a...

Angels Camp · Top 10

Visiting Angels Camp

Hiking, History, See

Angels Camp is located along Hwy 49 also known as City of Angels is the only incorporated city in Calaveras County. With a population just under 5000 this old gold country town is also sometimes known as “frog Town” based on a Mark Twain tale and is celebrated with an annual Frog Jubilee at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds. It is a small town with total area of 9.3 km2 (3.6 mi2) and was founded by George Angel in 1849, who established a mining camp and trading store. Angles Camp was registered in 1938 as a California Historical Landmark and the Angels Camp museum was founded in 1951. The Angels Camp museum opens at 10:00 AM but is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The museum has a hall display of information about Mark Twain and his story. There are some old equipments and many old housewares on display which were used...

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