Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

Here in Coloma on the American River, James W. Marshall spotted gold in the tailrace of John Sutter's sawmill on January 24, 1848, setting off the California Gold Rush. The park has a full-size replica of the sawmill completed in 1968, some original timbers recovered from the river, the Gold Discovery Museum, and historic buildings such as St. John's Church from 1858 and the Man Lee and Wah Hop stores, where exhibits recall the Chinese miners. Above the discovery site stands the Marshall Monument, completed in 1890, which also marks his grave.

Plan on half a day for the museum, the mill and the Gold Discovery Loop Trail to the discovery site; some slopes on the loop are steep. Gold panning with a pan is allowed year-round in designated areas. The discovery is celebrated every year around January 24. Back, Church and High Streets are unsuitable for buses and large vehicles, and the streets get narrow in places.