From San Francisco to the Mother Lode and Sacramento

No dawdling this morning as you want to get to the good stuff fast. Peet's in Emeryville has easy access to the highway. Plus the coffee roaster got started in Emeryville so you are supporting a local business. Try the new plant-based sandwich: Beyond breakfast sausage, JUST egg, and vegan cheddar come together surprisingly well, and it will keep you full for the ride to Columbia.

There is plenty of parking adjacent to the park. Be prepared to step back in time once you leave the parking lot. The town's original layout is the same as it was in the 1950s with a blacksmith shop, a candlemaker, a bank, and other businesses maintained and operated as they were in the 1850s. Even though the line can be long on a summer day, don't miss the stagecoach ride. It journeys around the park and I won't spoil the surprise, but maybe you can guess what happened to so many of the stagecoaches on their journeys to Sacramento and San Francisco? Another highlight is the opportunity to pan for gold. I admit, this one is a little cheesy as you can purchase the guarantee of a gold nugget in your panning. But my kids loved getting their hands wet in the water flume and rinsing endless amounts of dust through the pan.
No need to leave the park for lunch. Step into the St. Charles Saloon at the edge of town for craft beer, pizza, and sandwiches. You can't go wrong with the turkey bacon wrap with an Oskar Blues IPA. Try the special BBQ pulled pork pizza with pineapple. It's even better with an Indigeny Blueberry Cider. Take your food outside to enjoy at one of the picnic tables, or sit in the bar and savor the retro-fabulous vibe.
It is easy to spend an entire day or two at the park, so take your time and enjoy!
Before visiting, it is worth checking the official website.

Spend a few minutes strolling the busy downtown hub of Sonora. There's a sweet little World War II museum and a Candy Vault that kids of all ages love for its vast assortment of modern, vintage and globally sourced candies.

This general store is worth a stop to dip into the history of the Chinese in the area and to browse its small collection of natural history items. A short walking distance from the store, the remains of the town – a few buildings – stand.

The town of Sonora is close to Columbia and makes a fine place for a sunset stroll. The downtown is compact with plenty of shop windows to peep into and there are plentiful bars and restaurants. As its name implies, the patio is the place to be at this Mexican restaurant on the north side of town. Barrels and baskets are overflowing with flowers, and the colorful tablecloths and lighting make it a sweet spot to rest your weary feet and sip a fresh beverage after a day of sightseeing. Options like steak quesadillas and enchiladas will make everyone happy!

The tawny yellow color and wood-beamed breezeways give the hotel a classic feel as if you were in Ye Olde Alta California. The rooms are more Victorian in feel but the balance works and the place has a ton of charm. It's towards the south end of town, so once you are parked in the hotel parking lot, you can walk to everything in town.