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Columbia State Historic Park

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The park was once known as the "gem of the southern mines." Between the 1850's and the 1870's more than a half billion dollars in gold at today's value was mined in the area. For a time, Columbia was the second largest city in California. Unlike many other settlements that disappeared due to fire, vandalism and time, Columbia survived. It was never completely deserted. In 1945, the state legislature made the site a historic state park, in order to preserve a typical gold rush town, an example of one of the most colorful eras in American history.

Walk through the town's business district with preserved hotels, 2 operating, and restaurants. Try the 100-year-old stagecoach, pan for gold, tour an active gold mine, or go for a ride through the diggings. Columbia State Historic Park is 3 miles north of Sonora, off Hwy 49. Park hours are 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Call to make certain of hours for the season.

Location: 22708 Broadway, Columbia California 95310 Telephone 209-532-0150 Toll Free: 209-532-0150 Fax 209-532-5064

Other California State Parks nearby:
(Ripon) Caswell Memorial State Park
(Columbia) Columbia State Historic Park
(Jamestown) Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
(La Grange) Turlock Lake State Recreational Area


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03/28 Coming to The Columbia area
Arden Fair Sacramento CA March30-April18 Open the doors to Arden Fair and step inside. Here you'll find contemporary fashions, jewelry, accessories and brand name merchandise at over 165 specialty stores, plus Nordstrom's, Macy's, Sears, and JC Penney. Arden Fair also has a number of terrific restaurants, everything from fast food to fine dining. And it's completely enclosed, so it's always a comfortable 70 degrees inside no matter what it's like outside.
Santa Cruz Baroque Festival Santa Cruz CA April13-May11 A festival of baroque music.
Oakland Greek Festival Oakland CA May17-19 Wonderful aromas of Souklavia and Loukoumades waft through the air and the sounds of traditional Greek music and shouts of OPA! resonate in the hills of Oakland.
California Exposition & State Fair Sacramento CA June12-28 The Cal Expo is the site of the California State Fair. All year Satellite Wagering, Waterworld USA, Paradise Island Fun Center and an RV Park are just a few of the features of the Cal Expo.The first State Fair was held in 1854 in San Francisco at the old Music Hall. The fair offered premiums (prizes) for its competitions and included such agricultural exhibits such as 2-inch-long peanuts, 72-pound beets and a 10-pound carrot that was longer than 3 feet. Horseracing was part of that first fair and has continued to be a part of the fair ever since.
Bach Festival Carmel CA July13-27 Multiple performances of works by Bach.
Gilroy Garlic Festival Gilroy CA July26-28 The internationally acclaimed Great Garlic Cook-off, the signature event of the Gilroy Garlic Festival has increased the top prize in the July 27th competition to $5,000.