Northern California: Self-Guided Gold Rush Towns Driving Tour
VoiceMap Audio Tours
3.5
511jennyferr
218 days ago
This was a fun drive. And great stories on the way. Just wish there were more stories in the down times.
Directions in the bigger towns were a problem. Because they would say to turn, right when the street came. Also little street signs, and small streets.
I’m from this area. And I know these are the problems in our towns. But because I know the area I got back on track. With the map. I had to stop at times to get the voice map back on track though.
So take your time, if you stop before the towns and look at the map first. You might far better getting through the town. Because you will know which streets to look for, before you happen to pass them.
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.
Departure Point
- Starting point Parking Lot of Wolf Creek Trail and Northstar Mining Museum 933 Allison Ranch Rd, Grass Valley, CA
Return Details
- Starting point Parking Lot of Wolf Creek Trail and Northstar Mining Museum 933 Allison Ranch Rd, Grass Valley, CA
Duration
2 hours and 30 minutes - 3 hours
Languages Available
- Audio guide - English
- Printed guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Grass Valley
Grass Valley, CA
Drive through this historic town, a vibrant reminder of the Gold Rush era, where you can explore at your leisure or visit landmarks like the Holbrooke Hotel.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Northstar Mining Museum
933 Allison Ranch Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949
Pass by this museum displaying mining artifacts, offering insight into the hardrock gold mining industry. Entrance is optional and not included in the tour cost.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Gold Hill Mine
Big Bear, CA 92314
Catch a glimpse of this historic mining site, one of the original locations of California’s Gold Rush. Entrance is not included in the tour.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Grass Valley Museum
410 S Church St, Grass Valley, California
Drive past this local museum, housed in a former convent, which showcases the town’s rich history. You may choose to stop for a self-guided visit.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Holbrooke Hotel
212 W Main St, , Grass Valley, California
View this iconic landmark from the car, one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in California, and a symbol of Grass Valley's Gold Rush heritage.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Rough and Ready
Rough and Ready, California
Pass through this rustic former mining town, famous for its brief secession from the Union in 1850, with the option to stop and explore its historical markers.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: South Yuba River State Park
, , Penn Valley, California
Admire scenic views as you pass by this park, known for hiking and its historic covered bridge. Entrance and hikes are optional and not included in the tour.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Historic Wells Fargo Bank Building
North San Juan, CA 95960
See the historic architecture of this original Wells Fargo Bank building, a surviving structure from the Gold Rush era. Entrance is not part of the tour.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: North San Juan
North San Juan, California
Drive through this small town, once a major center during the hydraulic mining era, with optional stops to explore its quaint streets and local history.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Nevada City
Nevada City, California
Pass through this picturesque Gold Rush town, where you can optionally visit attractions like the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum.
Duration: Not Available
Additional Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The total activity duration is the time to drive from the starting point to the endpoint
- 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
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
Exclusions
- Smartphone (bring your own)
- Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour
- Food and drinks
- Transport (you need your own vehicle)
Redemption Instructions
VOICEMAP CODE
───
Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.
This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.
DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
───
1. Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:
2. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app
3. Create an account
4. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
5. Enter your code then select Download Now
PLEASE NOTE
───
You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.
SUPPORT
───
For technical support and other queries, please email support@voicemap.me
Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the VoiceMap Audio Tours in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.
This offer is not eligible for promo codes.
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.
Departure Point
- Starting point Parking Lot of Wolf Creek Trail and Northstar Mining Museum 933 Allison Ranch Rd, Grass Valley, CA
Return Details
- Starting point Parking Lot of Wolf Creek Trail and Northstar Mining Museum 933 Allison Ranch Rd, Grass Valley, CA
Duration
2 hours and 30 minutes - 3 hours
Languages Available
- Audio guide - English
- Printed guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Grass Valley
Grass Valley, CA
Drive through this historic town, a vibrant reminder of the Gold Rush era, where you can explore at your leisure or visit landmarks like the Holbrooke Hotel.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Northstar Mining Museum
933 Allison Ranch Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949
Pass by this museum displaying mining artifacts, offering insight into the hardrock gold mining industry. Entrance is optional and not included in the tour cost.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Gold Hill Mine
Big Bear, CA 92314
Catch a glimpse of this historic mining site, one of the original locations of California’s Gold Rush. Entrance is not included in the tour.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Grass Valley Museum
410 S Church St, Grass Valley, California
Drive past this local museum, housed in a former convent, which showcases the town’s rich history. You may choose to stop for a self-guided visit.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Holbrooke Hotel
212 W Main St, , Grass Valley, California
View this iconic landmark from the car, one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in California, and a symbol of Grass Valley's Gold Rush heritage.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Rough and Ready
Rough and Ready, California
Pass through this rustic former mining town, famous for its brief secession from the Union in 1850, with the option to stop and explore its historical markers.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: South Yuba River State Park
, , Penn Valley, California
Admire scenic views as you pass by this park, known for hiking and its historic covered bridge. Entrance and hikes are optional and not included in the tour.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Historic Wells Fargo Bank Building
North San Juan, CA 95960
See the historic architecture of this original Wells Fargo Bank building, a surviving structure from the Gold Rush era. Entrance is not part of the tour.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: North San Juan
North San Juan, California
Drive through this small town, once a major center during the hydraulic mining era, with optional stops to explore its quaint streets and local history.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Nevada City
Nevada City, California
Pass through this picturesque Gold Rush town, where you can optionally visit attractions like the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum.
Duration: Not Available
Additional Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The total activity duration is the time to drive from the starting point to the endpoint
- 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
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
Exclusions
- Smartphone (bring your own)
- Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour
- Food and drinks
- Transport (you need your own vehicle)
Redemption Instructions
VOICEMAP CODE
───
Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.
This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.
DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
───
1. Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:
2. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app
3. Create an account
4. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
5. Enter your code then select Download Now
PLEASE NOTE
───
You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.
SUPPORT
───
For technical support and other queries, please email support@voicemap.me
Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the VoiceMap Audio Tours in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.
This offer is not eligible for promo codes.
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services. Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts. Learn about Strike-Through Pricing and Savings