Excursion into California's Gold Country

Why not take a drive down Northern California's historic Highway 49 and immerse yourself in the state's gone-but-not-forgotten Gold Rush days? Reminders of this exciting period in time, found in unique museums, state parks and actual gold mines along this 326-mile stretch of highway, brings Northern California's past back to life. Nearly a dozen Best Western hotels in and around Highway 49 are available; a few recommendations are highlighted below.

Day 1
Start your trip in San Francisco, heading North on Interstate 80 through Sacramento, connecting to Highway 49 near Auburn. Drive north until you reach the historic towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City. Several attractions are among the first day's sites, including:

• Empire Mine State Park - 777 acres of history and recreation, including one of the oldest, largest, deepest, longest and richest gold mines in California.
• Mining Museum and Pelton Wheel - site of the 30-foot Pelton Wheel used to power the North Star Mine.
  Nevada Theater - the oldest in the state, dating back to 1865.
• American Victorian Museum - the only American museum dedicated exclusively to collecting, preserving and exhibiting art, crafts and artifacts from the Victorian Period.

Where to Stay:

Best Western Gold Country Inn
972 Sutton Way, Grass Valley, CA

Located a mile from downtown Grass Valley and a half-mile from Nevada City, the Best Western Gold Country Inn offers 84 rooms spread among five separate buildings on the hotels' grounds. This pet-friendly hotel is less than three miles away from more than a dozen historic attractions.

Day 2

Driving south along Highway 49, the towns of Coloma and Cool offer visitors one-of-a-kind Gold Rush attractions, including:

• Marshall Historic State Park - a must-see, where the famed James Marshall discovered gold in 1849. Picnic, swim, tour historic buildings, pan for gold and, from time to time, experience re-enactments of historic events presented by docents of the park. (Coloma)
• The Gold Discovery Museum - built in 1960 and also used as the Visitors Center, the museum is where information and maps, exhibits and artifacts relating to the discovery of gold and the Gold Rush period in general can be found. (Cool)
  While here, it is worth taking a short detour east on Highway 50 until you reach the town of Placerville, another popular California Gold Rush spot. Originally called "Old Dry Diggings," the town later earned the infamous name of "Hangtown" for the overzealous use of hanging as a means of justice. Hangtown was center stage for the Wild West.

Placerville activities include:

• Hangtown Gold Bug Park and Gold Bug Mine Log Cabin Ravine Drive - an historic 61.5-acre park featuring attractions such as the Joshua Hendy Stamp Mill (which offers visitors a chance to see a working model of a stamp mill used in the ore extraction process) and Hattie's Gift Shop (which provides an array of books recounting the history of the local Gold Rush).
• Pan for gold or take a self-guided tour of the well-illuminated Gold Bug Mine.
• El Dorado County Historical Museum - view a stagecoach, mining equipment and other pioneer artifacts. See a large collection of Miwok, Maidu and Washoe Indian artifacts, and a recreated blacksmith shop.
• The Hangman Tree Bar - located at 305 Main Street, this watering hole has an oak tree stump in the cellar as a reminder of days when justice was conducted "wild west style."
• Fountain-Tallman Soda Factory Museum - built in 1853 and originally used in the soda pop manufacturing business. The walls of the building are at least two feet thick, suitable for keeping ice and soda pop manufacturing supplies cool.

Where to Stay:

Best Western Placerville Inn
6850 Green Leaf Dr.,Placerville

Overlooking the Sierra Foothills, this pet-friendly hotel offers Jacuzzi and fireplace suites in addition to its standard guestrooms. The hotel features an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, as well as an on-site restaurant/bar.

Day 3

Return to Highway 49 and continue this journey back in time by enjoying the fun activities located in Amador City, Sutter Creek and Jackson. Attractions are listed in order as you head south:

• Amador Whitney Museum - Exhibits, which change biannually, highlight women and their contributions to the Mother Lode. Their life experiences, major economic standing, social lives and more are explored in this fascinating look at life before the turn of the century. (Amador City)
• Western Hardrock Mining Museum - One of the most complete collections of mining and Gold Rush memorabilia on display in the U.S. (Amador City)
• Sutter Gold Mine - Tour more than 400 feet underground in a gold-filled mine. Discover how gold was mined in years gone by, as well as how modern technology has improved the process, and try your own luck at panning. (Sutter Creek)
• Amador County Museum - Originally an 1859 vintage home, the museum displays Mother Lode memorabilia throughout 15 rooms. Its collections include: a "Gold History Exhibit," "Dressed to the Nines" - or fashions of the past; a sewing and quilt exhibit; a Victorian bedroom and parlor; a Native American collection; a Chinese American collection; an old fashioned school room and much more. (Jackson)
• Kennedy Mine - This 1880 gold mine was once one of the richest in the Mother Lode. (Jackson)
  Continue south until you reach Angels Camp, founded in 1848 and once the home to many miners. It is an historical and recreational gold mine, well known for its former resident, Mark Twain, and the annual frog-jumping contest held in his honor. Tour Gold Rush towns, museums, wineries, art galleries, antique shops, caverns and giant Sequoia forests.

Where to Stay:

Best Western Cedar Inn & Suites
444 S. Main Street, Angels Camp

An award-winning, pet-friendly hotel that provides the atmosphere of a B&B, the Best Western Cedar Inn & Suites is Angels Camp's newest hotel. Conveniently located near town attractions and restaurants, the hotel offers whirlpool and fireplace rooms that are excellent for romantic getaways or those cold winter nights.