Northern California: Self-Guided Gold Rush Towns Driving Tour
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.
What's Included
- Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
- The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Smartphone (bring your own)
- Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour
- Food and drinks
- Transport (you need your own vehicle)
Meeting Location
933 Allison Ranch Road
Grass Valley, CA 95949, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
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Grass Valley (pass by)
Northstar Mining Museum (pass by)
Gold Hill Mine (pass by)
Grass Valley Museum (pass by)
Holbrooke Hotel (pass by)
Rough and Ready (pass by)
South Yuba River State Park (pass by)
Historic Wells Fargo Bank Building (pass by)
North San Juan (pass by)
Nevada City (pass by)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- The total activity duration is the time to drive from the starting point to the endpoint
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Northern California: Self-Guided Gold Rush Towns Driving Tour?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-110804P824
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.00 out of 5 stars based on 3 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST).
- Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it.
- The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere.
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata.
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start.
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour.
- Smartphone (bring your own).
- Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour.
- Food and drinks.
- Transport (you need your own vehicle).
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Northern California: Self-Guided Gold Rush Towns Driving Tour is as follows:
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Northern California: Self-Guided Gold Rush Towns Driving Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
- The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Smartphone (bring your own)
- Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour
- Food and drinks
- Transport (you need your own vehicle)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- The total activity duration is the time to drive from the starting point to the endpoint
