This park is absolutely awesome! They have lots of information when is the best time to visit on their website and I recommend reading it before planning a trip there. My kids and I had an amazing time moving back in time during one of their events. Really cool place to visit! Education, nature, good food (great restaurants there especially Mandy’s Cafe!!!!).

A Step Back in Time at Columbia State Historic Park Visiting Columbia State Historic Park is like taking a delightful step back in time. From the moment you enter, you are transported to the Gold Rush era, with beautifully preserved buildings and streets that echo the 1850s. The park staff, dressed in period attire, are not only knowledgeable but also incredibly friendly and engaging. They are more than happy to share the rich history of this mining town. One of the highlights of the park is the opportunity to pan for gold. It’s a fun and educational experience for both kids and adults. The shops are charming and offer a variety of unique, quality items, from handcrafted goods to old-fashioned candies. The Fallon House Theatre is a must-visit; the performances there are top-notch and add to the immersive experience of the park. The park is immaculately clean and well-maintained, with plenty of shaded areas to relax and enjoy a picnic. It's evident that a lot of care and love goes into preserving this historic site for future generations to enjoy. Whether you are a history buff or just looking for a unique and enjoyable day out with the family, Columbia State Historic Park is a gem that should not be missed when you are in California.

We absolutely love it for kids and kids at heart. Columbia deserves an all day leisurely experience. It was once to be the capital of CA, preserved as it was, saloons serve great food for families, sarsaparilla and real root beer. Enjoy stage coach rides, gold panning, bowling as in the olden days. View the dentist office, oriental medicine shop and literally dozens of "museum" exhibits. Educational and tons of fun for all.

This place is Awesome!! An experience that should not be missed. The whole place is alive with rich history. All of the people there who live and work there are salt of the earth! Friendly and very knowledgeable!!

This is one of those special state parks that you might really appreciate. They’ve laid out the facility very well with great parking, very good bathrooms, hiking trails and family walk around the park trails. There’s also some beautiful trees to admire. I’ve spent a lot of time with the coastal redwoods and the Sierra version is similar but not the same. Still, big trees and up close. You can also drive down to the Stanislaus river and do hiking down there which is really beautiful. If you’re in the area I highly recommend this state park.

Pretty neat little town. Lots of tiny museums and things to look at. They have a sweet store with ice cream and drinks. They have candle dipping. Some restaurants that have very long lines so I didn’t try them. It’s small and there’s not much to do. The horse carriage ride isn’t set up well. People kept cutting in front of me and staff just let it happen and let them get on. I waited over 30 minutes with this continuously happening so I never got to go on the ride. Besides the horses looked hot and exhausted and they kept pushing them on.

I had a great time at this historical park. They have a horse and carriage ride, an adult ticket is $11.00 and a child's ticket is $10 dollars children under 2 are free . They had candle dipping the cheapest candle to dip is 2 dollars. This place is great for families and dog friendly

This place is one of those places that make you feel your back in time. Love it. It's a great family experience. It has dining, bars, small museums and other things to offer for all ages. It's always enjoyable to go in the stores, they offer a glimpse of toys from other times and curiosities you don't find in many places. They have a stagecoach pulled by horses and it's a nice thing to do. If you check their website you will find different events thru the year that you can do alone or as a family. There is the Town of Sonora nearby which also has a lot to offer also the Moaning caverns are nearby, which are another adventure in itself. I have been here several times with different people and always love it.

It was a perfectly crisp autumn day. It wasn't too crowded and all the staff we met throughout were quite friendly and fun. The stagecoach ride was very enjoyable. This was the first time we had done it, but not our first time to the state park. A little difficult for adults with slight mobility issues to climb up into, but manageable. They have someone there to help you.

Beautifully preserved & very accessible, with merchants dressed in period costume giving a touch of welcoming, touristy friendliness. The restaurants fill up fast, so plan to get a seat ahead of the lunch rush or be ready to wait.

Columbia State Historic Park is a great place to learn about the history of the California Gold Rush. We loved wandering through the historic buildings and streets but would have really enjoyed a guided walking tour so we could learn even more. The shops and restaurants were excellent too. Be sure to stop and say hi to the chickens, and go in the candy shop to grab a treat before you leave.

A step back in time. Lots of gold country displays and stores, some of which are filled with cheap stuff, while others, like the western leather and saddlery, were class acts. The restaurants were good and lots of variety. One store in particular, the Columbia Mercantile 1855, was our favorite. Great staff and quality products, the kinds we are used to buying at our local stores which are much bigger. The store is packed with good stuff, from organic produce to fine wines, reasonably priced.

Old town with many stores. It looks like the old Sacramento. Free of charge, a lot of parking spaces. You can ride the old couch.

A must visit if you're in the area. Very well maintained and enternatining for all. They also offer daily tours of the town.

What a beautiful old town! I've been here only twice. Both visits have been wonderful. I love looking at various types of old things. I love how well most buildings and things are kept in good shape. The creepiest part was the jail cell. I will definitely be coming back.

Historic Columbia State Park is such an amazing place. Its closed off streets are lined with historical wooden and brick built buildings. There are upgraded businesses and those that appear untouched all hidden within the historical exterior. If you want a relaxing stroll, come early in the morning just before 9AM and watch the shops slowly peel back their iron doors. It’s busier during the day and of course more interactive if that’s what you prefer. If you’d like a journey back in time and even a place to stay...it’s a must see location! These photos were taking early AM.

Wild West fun for all ages. We visited during their fall festival and there were lots of period themed craft booths. The stage coach rides are a treat.

Awesome place for the whole family. We liked the gold panning and candle making activities. Interesting free museum. You can also feed chickens, watch a blacksmith at work and do some bowling.

This park was amazing. So many unique stores with really authentic items at reasonable prices along with very informative displays and buildings. Rangers are onsite to answer questions and the whole area is a very unique piece of gold rush history.