California’s history is tied to the Gold Rush, and people still love to pan for gold in the Sacramento area. One place where you can indulge your gold rush fever is Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (310 Back Street in Coloma).

Located in Coloma, which is 36 miles northeast of Sacramento, you can get a 15-minute gold panning lesson for just $7, and then spend half an hour in search of pay dirt (garnets, fool’s gold and gold flakes). You can also pan recreationally during park hours (10 AM to 4 PM) on the east side of the river across Mount Murphy Bridge.

For more gold panning sites in the Sacramento area, check out this article from Sactown Magazine.