One of the seminal moments in California history is the Gold Rush. For better or worse, it changed the lives of countless people, setting off a huge wave of immigration to the Golden State…and leading to the decline of many native peoples.

There’s a place in our Sierra Foothills that tells that story better than any other. Our Mike Sanford takes us there, to Columbia State Park. Columbia State Park is located just off Highway 49 close to other Gold Rush towns like Angels Camp, Sonora and Jamestown. It’s 120 miles from both Sacramento and Fresno, and only about 75 miles from Yosemite Valley.

For more information on Columbia State Park visit: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=552

Rustridge Ranch
Are you ready for another kind of old west experience? This one beckons you from an entirely different venue. Mike Sanford tells us about a real working ranch that combines the adventure of the cowboy life with the best of the wine county.

For more information on
Rustridge Ranch visit: http://www.rustridge.com

Nevada City
There's another Gold Rush town that's managed to survive the changing fortunes of history. It's also one of our favorites! Allison Lund takes us back to the Sierra Foothills to explore Nevada City.

Virginia City
It's really a great deal of fun exploring the Gold Rush towns in our Sierra Foothills. We crossed over to the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, and discovered an entirely different old west experience!

Gold Hill Hotel
Any visit to a Gold Rush town isn't complete unless you stay at an historic hotel. We found Nevada's oldest lodgings, and soon learned some very famous names had also checked in years past!

For more information on the Gold Hill Hotel visit: http://www.goldhillhotel.net

Volcano Daffodils
We return to our own Sierra Foothills to visit a town with a very different tourist draw. Yes, Volcano has old buildings and a lot of history…but its biggest attraction is a blooming blaze of color for a few brief days each spring.

Cowboy Cuisine
If all that sightseeing leaves you hungry, we have a suggestion…Well, maybe not! Tim Robinson discovered a unique kind of cowboy cuisine that's definitely an acquired taste…and that's no bull!

For more information visit: www.oakdalecowboymuseum.org

Season eight of "Central Valley Chronicles" is underwritten in part by Classic Living.