TIM! TIM! TIM! The…read morelifeblood & soul of this museum is a docent named Tim. A polite yet confident, friendly yet proud personality, Tim gave my girlfriend and I the museum experience of a century. Arriving at the museum, we were greeted by a docent at the entry who was quite kind to us and we enjoyed the initial room and science/medicine rooms - however, if you're the type who reads every line at a museum, you will enjoy it more than we did because the information was IMMENSE. Too much for my adhd brain, but perfect for an avid reader. But it was the carriage house that floored us. Tim greeted us nearly the moment we stepped through the doors to introduce himself as a volunteer at the museum. I figured he may give us a little intro and then let us parouse the 10,000sf facility but boy was I wrong. Tim proceeded to give us a guided private tour for what was easily the good part of an hour. Carriage by carriage, phonograph by phonograph, Tim passionately spoke on the most interesting history, anecdotes, untold tales, and intriguing facts about every item in front of us. It was as if he had plugged himself into the knowledge of the universe and was translating its binary into English for us to understand. I loved every moment and most importantly, I could see that HE loved every moment. We walked out having to look at our tickets to see if we had accidentally purchased VIP guided tour tickets. But no - that is just the character of Tim and of the people who run the museum. We finished at the mining building where we got a chance to see incredible historical items/devices/tools, as well as some BEAUTIFUL specimens of stones - including the 2 most gorgeous pieces of petrified wood I have EVER seen. The docent as this building raved about Tim as well but was no stolid volunteer herself - she was ALSO extremely friendly in her own right, offering us cold water on the hot day we toured. I cannot wait to go back and recommend this museum to any and all in the Angels Camp / Murphys area!

This museum has Gold County History- so much to see!! Wagon…read more& Carriage, Mining & Artisan exhibition and a Water Wheel Power Stamp Mill. In the same building is the Calaveras Visitor's Bureau! If you walk past the Visitors Bureau there is an interesting film on the Frog Jumping Contest and many Frog Facts!!

This event was a type of searching for spirits, a ghost hunt event. As simple as it was it was also…read morea great experience a bit complex as well but also the environment really made it. The castle itself is historic with some insanely horrific history to it. I'm not going to say much more it's a great experience. The castle does all different types of events throughout the year, they're most popular is the haunt during Halloween season or throughout October. I went one year it was pretty amazing. My family has gone a few times and loved it. Look forward to this year!! Get your tickets quick because it sells out fast.

Came here for the haunted house event about a week ago and I'm not sure if I would come back again…read more Tickets were $35 each (purchased online) and you have to park and walk about 10-15 minutes to the castle or you can take the little van that drives you there which also takes the same amount of time. We took the van to the castle but they don't drop you off directly in front of the castle so you still have to walk down through security and then to the castle. Porte potty's are available right before security and once you walk up the hill to wait in line to enter the castle. There were a couple food trucks when we went, we were expecting a few based on what was said online but not sure if it depends on the time. We waited over an hour in line to enter the haunted house and if you do really believe in ghosts this place is pretty haunted. The event itself wasn't scary, the actors aren't able to touch you but there's obviously loud screaming and they may be a bit too close for comfort to get a reaction out of you. You do have to climb up and down quite a few stairs and then there's a second part lead outside and back in the castle (barely any lighting and it's a dirt road so you have to carefully walk). Many strobing lights as well so do avoid if you are triggered by that. The energy throughout the castle was not pleasant or welcoming, I was very excited for it to be over as the haunted house itself was not very good and I was mostly tired from all the walking. There's a merch truck outside at the end of the castle as well. We also decided to walk back instead of waiting for the shuttle but there absolutely no lighting and many ditches with uneven flooring so you have to be very careful. Overall experience was not my favorite and I wouldn't come back again.

This cute Children's science museum in Lodi is not very big, but it has so much to touch and see! I…read morebrought my 11 year old son (and my parents tagged along too) and we all enjoyed it!! My son was very into the stop-animation display. we had to tell him a few times that it was time to go for lunch. I'd say it's a good 2 hours experience if you really read and interact with all they have to offer. I would recommend it! Price is reasonable too! We went on a week day and it was not crowded. Had a nice time and have recommended it to other parents. I hope they are able to expand it in the future!

Fun place to bring the little ones to explore some science! Love the hands on exhibits and the…read morekids (a lot of them) seemed to really like the sand box. There's a separate area for the littlest kiddos which is nice and enough throughout for my older child to keep occupied for a few hours. It doesn't look like a huge space but there's enough for little kids to explore and I think it's great to have something like this in the community

Drove from Roseville just to make a stop here. 2nd and 4th Saturdays they have tours. Worth the…read moretrip for sure. It is like going back in time for sure. All original items inside. You will learn all about how one man changed the foundry machining etc world. The docents are very knowledgeable and there are plenty of them if you have any questions. They also have a working blacksmithing area (and you can even sign up for classes) on their website. Also watch the youtube video on their website before going it is 47 min but wow so informative.

Went there with my dad who worked in a similar factory, so I'm clearly biased…read more We loved the tour. It had huge amount of details, working tools and set up. It really showed how it was. In many ways, time had stopped there and it's great for a realistic place like this. The receptionist and the tour guides were fanatics, hands-on dedicated people who never the stories and techniques used. They were very welcoming and great story tellers. The town is nice, too, and has a lot of food options nearby.

The history of Lake Tahoe has always fascinated me! I love being able to visit here and see…read moreoriginal buildings of people who first started to live in Tahoe. The history is so rich. Walk lakeside on the trails or follow the trails they have within the historic site. There are zero complaints. How could you complain about such beauty?!

Looking for access to Tahoe's shoreline without the crowds? Look no further than the Tallac…read moreHistoric Site. I discovered this place while taking my son to a day camp that was using this area as a homebase for the day. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect but I found a fairly expensive parking area, shaded picnic tables, and a flat dirt path that meandered along the shoreline of the lake, offering access to the water itself every couple hundred feet. Along the path, there were also placards detailing the history of the site and even some interesting remnants of former buildings that include you into what happened here in the past. This is a great place to learn some of Tahoe's history while enjoying its current beauty without the crowds of the larger public beaches. There's also a section of this area that is available for rent for private functions too, and you can enjoy the history and beauty during a private function with friends and family.

As members if the California State Railroad Museum, we have been here manny times…read more - 10:30 AM Train pulled by 1922 2-8-0 #28 Car #597 - celebration of the movie train's return - roundhouse tours are not to be missed

Of course we arrive a day late, when Summer schedule switches to Autumn and trains only run on…read moreweekends, so we used the VERY CLEAN restrooms at this park and poked around the small museum. From what we saw, there are picnic tables on a green lawn - RARE, in this area of golden hills and meadows, and PLENTY of free parking. Many films and TV shows have been shot here. It's located in historical Jamestown, CA and also less than 20mins from Columbia, CA, another great stop along the 49 in California Gold Country. I look forward to returning and riding the rails at this little gem. Cheers! "CC"

So I totally ran into this through serendipity. Was looking for the Arnold Rim Trail trailhead to…read morestart a hike, and gps lead me to park here. White Pines Lake is also within view, so I was able to explore all 3 in several hours. Now the indoor museum was closed the time I went, so didn't get to venture in. But the bulk of fun here is their outdoor grounds. Out there real live retired heavy duty equipment/machinery park on display in all their glory. A small trail can be followed and each display has a brief plaque describing what you are viewing. And being outdoors, you are amongst nature with the smell of pines in the shade, squirrels running about and birds chirping. Beats being indoors all day long. AND the biggest advantage is you're still able to view all this while the actual museum is closed. Score! All the displays are what helped the logging industry get going and to thrive during the Industrial Revolution for this country. Some look somewhat familiar, like tractors and locomotives. But some turn of century steam powered monsters can leave many scratching their heads as to what they did. And after hiking the area and seeing how immense some of these logs can be, momentous innovations were required to move these logs and turn them into modern civilization. So as we all sit in the comforts of our dwellings, look around and just see where wood/timber affects our lives. It is everywhere, from every building, to power poles to our rail way system, which still brings us supplies and goods. And it all starts with a valuable resource that this country is rich in, and what this country was able to convert. Taste a piece of American history through this museum. It is humbling as it is educational. 5 stars to serendipity!

Great little free museum next to beautiful White Pines Lake! We enjoyed the mix of indoor exhibits…read moreand real machinery outside.

Stopped in while passing through town and this place is such a gem!! Very nice workers and so many…read moreinteresting displays. There's so much detail that goes into every exhibit. Definitely recommend if you're in the area!

There is no museum that doesn't turn my head. I love history. Love old things (yeah, I wasn't…read moregoing to bring up Mr. B, but some things I simply can't resist). Love old tales. Spend my time wondering what I did in my past lives. I think I must have been an Indian hunter/warrior, I was always good with a bow and arrow and paddling my canoe. Really. Sonora was a small but booming town that cropped up around the same time as the Gold Rush, in 1848. The original settlers were Mexican miners from Sonora Mexico; the East Coasters, European immigrants and Chinese followed later. It was a wild town but eventually evolved into a logging community after the gold mining opportunities dried up. The downtown is still a well preserved, charming memorial to a rich, late 1800's boom town economy with narrow streets, beautiful Victorian homes and commercial buildings. So, hiding on one of the side streets in old Sonora is this multi-purpose building built in 1866 that was originally the home of the county sheriff and his family. It also housed the jail. Can you imagine living there, raising your kids, with the jail facilities in the back of the same building? Story goes, this building was erected after a disgruntled prisoner decided to start a fire in his cell of the "old jail" so they would have to let him out. What he didn't quite realize was the heat from the fire made it impossible for anyone to open the solid iron door to his cell. I liken it to the Man of La Mancha lyrics, ""Whether the stone hits the pitcher or the pitcher hits the stone, it's going to be bad for the pitcher". Nope, this most certainly was *not* his best day ever! Now, the wooden house interior has been radically changed. It is now one large room that displays interesting artifacts and many old photographs. While small and humble, it nonetheless keeps you entertained. And it is manned by some eager to please docents. The back half is where you can visit the jail, a solid brick walled building with heavy iron doors, a total of 10 individual cells. Today, each of the cells are different time capsules featuring artifacts from early Sonoran life. For those curious, this property also houses the Tuolumne County Genealogical Society Library.

Great museum in Stockton! Located in a beautiful park. The building is large with two floors. Great…read moreexhibits on display. I love the artwork! They have good docents. Definitely recommend if you're in the area.

I have been coming to this Museum for over 40 years now, from school field trips as a child to…read morebringing my own son as he was growing up and now as an older person to just enjoy some art and spend some time in quiet contemplation. It's a wonderful resource for the area and a very important part of the community. Haggin Museum sits right in the middle of Victory Park. It's a beautiful, serene, green setting with flowers and a little pond and you feel safe here, even though you're in Stockton. It's a great place for kids to come and play and for people to sit and enjoy nature. Inside the museum there is a mix of art and local history. They have Gold Rush era exhibits and recreated period rooms. There are lots of lovely paintings here and although I believe some of the artwork is always here, they regularly have rotating exhibits as well so there is always something new to see. They also have a lot of activities, events and family programs here. It's definitely dated, but that's to be expected for as long as this place has been around. It's affordable though because kids under 10 get in for free and I believe the last time I was here admission was between $5 and $8. They also have a free admission day every first Saturday of the month but it gets really busy so I don't typically visit on that day. It's really great for kids though, and I'm so glad that we have this resource locally. I have lots of great memories of bringing my son and my nieces and nephews here and being a kid here myself. I definitely recommend a visit if you have kids under 10 and want to spend a day educating and enriching them on a budget. Plus they can play at the park after so it will make for a fantastic day.

If Virginia City and Napa Valley had a love child it would look like Sutter Creek…read more We are in LOVE with Sutter Creek. It is such a pleasure spending the weekend tasting great wines at the gazillion wine tasting rooms that line Main Street. All are locally owned wineries and every single tasting room is welcoming, laid back, and so non-pretentious. A few of our favorites: - Bella Grace - Yorba - Le Mulet Rouge Breakfast and lunch at Buffalo Chips is fabulous as is the Pizza at Gold Dust Pizza. And for that hipster/Napa/cutting edge just great food - try Element. The entire downtown is charming and maintains its Gold Rush charm. There are antique stores, art stores, cheese shops and a variety of eating and drinking opportunities all packed into a walkable downtown. Do not miss this gem of the Motherlode!

We visited here with some family members who lived nearby, and had a very nice time wandering this…read moreold historic town. I just love old fashion shops along wooden walkways. There are quite a few wine tasting rooms that could occupy wine lovers for several days! We enjoyed exploring specialty stores that offered clothing, souvenirs, antiques, ice cream parlor, and even a popular cheese/wine tasting shop. There are restaurants, bars and an old historic hotel. The Sutter Creek Auditorium just happened to have a craft fair while we were there and found ourselves spending lots of money on some inexpensive, quality items. It was a great day for gift shopping as well! That evening we stayed late to see the Sutter Creek Christmas parade that was fun, but consisted mostly of emergency vehicles decorated in Xmas lights which the procession seemed to never end! It started raining and we finally had to head to the parking lot to catch our shuttle. Unfortunately, this event is quite popular and the traffic getting out of this quaint little town was pretty congested and annoying! Eventually, we slowly, but finally made our way back to our point of origin where our car was parked. I would love to return here again, but not during an event or parade!