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A smartphone displaying a map with a 'Start Tour' button, a 'Get Directions' option, and a 'Using VoiceMap' feature. 1
A sign for the Northstar Mining Museum at Wolf Creek Trail, open from May to October. 2
A residential area with a house, trees, and a clear blue sky. 3
A monument surrounded by trees and a signpost with directions. 4
A street scene with a brick building, a white building with a sign, and a tree. 5
By VoiceMap Audio Tours

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very Good
Free cancellation available
Price is €14 per traveller* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple travellers
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 3h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

  • Explore the heart of the California Gold Rush on this self-guided driving tour through the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills. Starting at the Northstar Mining Museum, you’ll drive a 50-mile loop through charming Gold Rush towns like Grass Valley and Nevada City. Along the way, I’ll share stories from early pioneers as you visit sites like the historic Wells Fargo Bank, the Bridgeport covered bridge, and the scenic South Yuba River. You’ll also learn about gold mining techniques and pioneer life, ending your adventure at Empire Mine State Historic Park. This flexible tour lets you set the pace and stop at your leisure.

Activity location

  • Northstar Mining Museum
    • 933 Allison Ranch Road
    • 95949, Grass Valley, California, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Northstar Mining Museum
    • 933 Allison Ranch Road
    • 95949, Grass Valley, California, United States

Check availability

Northern California: Self-Guided Gold Rush Towns Driving Tour in English

  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • Opening hours: Sat 00:00-23:59
  • English
Language options: English
Price details
€6.80 x 2 Travellers€13.60
Total
Price is €13.60

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
  • Inclusions
    The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
  • Inclusions
    Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Inclusions
    Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  • Inclusions
    Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
  • Exclusions
    Smartphone (bring your own)
  • Exclusions
    Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour
  • Exclusions
    Food and drinks
  • Exclusions
    Transport (you need your own vehicle)

Know before you book

    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • The total activity duration is the time to drive from the starting point to the endpoint
    • In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
    • This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

Activity itinerary

Grass Valley (Pass by)

Drive through this historic town, a vibrant reminder of the Gold Rush era, where you can explore at your leisure or visit landmarks like the Holbrooke Hotel.

Northstar Mining Museum (Pass by)

Pass by this museum displaying mining artefacts, offering insight into the hardrock gold mining industry. Entrance is optional and not included in the tour cost.

Gold Hill Mine (Pass by)

Catch a glimpse of this historic mining site, one of the original locations of California’s Gold Rush. Entrance is not included in the tour.

Grass Valley Museum (Pass by)

Drive past this local museum, housed in a former convent, which showcases the town’s rich history. You may choose to stop for a self-guided visit.

Holbrooke Hotel (Pass by)

View this iconic landmark from the car, one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in California, and a symbol of Grass Valley's Gold Rush heritage.

Rough and Ready (Pass by)

Pass through this rustic former mining town, famous for its brief secession from the Union in 1850, with the option to stop and explore its historical markers.

South Yuba River State Park (Pass by)

Admire scenic views as you pass by this park, known for hiking and its historic covered bridge. Entrance and hikes are optional and not included in the tour.

Historic Wells Fargo Bank Building (Pass by)

See the historic architecture of this original Wells Fargo Bank building, a surviving structure from the Gold Rush era. Entrance is not part of the tour.

North San Juan (Pass by)

Drive through this small town, once a major centre during the hydraulic mining era, with optional stops to explore its quaint streets and local history.

Nevada City (Pass by)

Pass through this picturesque Gold Rush town, where you can optionally visit attractions like the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railway Museum.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Northstar Mining Museum
    • 933 Allison Ranch Road
    • 95949, Grass Valley, California, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Northstar Mining Museum
    • 933 Allison Ranch Road
    • 95949, Grass Valley, California, United States

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