Once the third-largest city in California, Placerville grew in size during the gold rush thanks to the precious metal found first in creek beds and rocky slopes and later underground. Explore the history of this El Dorado County town’s boomtown at the Gold Bug Park and Mine. Once a working hardrock mine, this attraction has been delighting visitors for over 40 years with a hands-on look at the region’s mining past.

Located on Big Canyon Creek, the waterway where early treasure hunters searched for gold, Gold Bug Park and Mine is a 57-acre green space dotted with 19th-century structures. Guests can explore at their own pace through an optional self-guided audio tour or with a docent as a guide.

Walk along the creek bed to trace the footsteps of the Placerville prospectors who opened a workshop shortly after James W. Marshall struck gold in nearby Coloma in 1848-a discovery that changed the fate of the American West. After most of the shiny nuggets were exhausted and the riches could no longer be found in the water, mines were built to extract the gold from the stone.

Walk the 352-foot-long horizontal shaft at the Gold Bug Mine to experience the same chilled air that miners felt nearly 200 years ago and see the crushed quartz where hundreds of picks left their mark. Those who opt for a guided tour can also head to the ground at Priest Mine. It is believed that the Priest, connected to the Zolotyi Buh by an air shaft, got its name as a place of regular worship held by a pious miner.

While in the park, visit the Joshua Gandy Stamp Factory to learn how gold was extracted from ore using a machine powered by a man who crushed the stone into dust. See both the original mill and a working replica as it churns away. Don’t miss the Cornish Mineral Collection with dozens of varieties of rare minerals collected from around the world. In the working blacksmith shop, watch artisans work the furnace to create items that can be purchased in the park’s gift shop.

Take a hike to Meagher House, the historic former summer home of William Meagher, owner of the Gold Bug rights, and take time to view the Hattie Gold Rush Museum with interpretive exhibits about mining methods and local history. Kids will love spending time at the panning rinks, where they can search for gems among the rocks and river silt.